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The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix (1999) poster

The Matrix (1999)

Action, Science Fiction • 2h 16m

Directors: Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski

Best English-friendly & video release

 · updated 5 months ago
Video notes:

There are some questioning around the color timings https://fanrestore.com/thread-3435.html

UHD tiers

Overview

Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.

Release details

Best Audio Release

Cinema DTS

Additional Info

The Ultimate Matrix Collection DVD/Blu-ray has extras not on the 4K Blu-ray box set

Different colors in the 4K compared to the DVD (both original and 2003)/2009 Blu-ray/Theatrical cut.

There are some questioning around the color timings https://fanrestore.com/thread-3435.html

TSPDT
2026: #234
2025: #238
2024: #237
2023: #231
2022: #231
Length
136 mins
Type
Movie

Part of The Matrix

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Directors: Lilly Wachowski & Lana Wachowski

4K · Solid
Best English-Friendly & Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The Ultimate Matrix Collection DVD/Blu-ray has extras not on the 4K Blu-ray box set

Different colors compared to the DVD/2009 Blu-ray/Theatrical cut

Directors: Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski

4K · Solid
Best English-Friendly & Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The Ultimate Matrix Collection DVD/Blu-ray has extras not on the 4K Blu-ray box set

Different colors compared to the DVD/2009 Blu-ray/Theatrical cut

Featured in National Film Registry

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Director: Arthur Penn

Best English-Friendly & Video:

WB Blu-ray

Video Notes:

4K transfer

Director: Stanley Kubrick

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly, Video & Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)

Video Notes:

Included in the Complete Kubrick box set with FiM encode of the same master from the Universal release without the filtering.

Audio Notes:

DTS:X mix on Universal 4K Blu-ray most closely approximates original surround mix

Additional Info:

Criterion DVD and Universal 4K Blu-ray has additional features not found on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Director: Stanley Kubrick

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Video Notes:

Included in the Complete Kubrick box set with FiM encode of the same master from the WB release without the filtering, 1.85 ratio restored for US Cut; both US and International Cuts are 4K.

Best Audio:

US Cut: 1999 WB DVD/Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release until the Criterion 4K Blu-ray has presented the US in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The International Cut has never been presented in it's OAR of 1.66:1 in any home video releases.

The packaging on the back of the WB 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray. 

Director: Stanley Kubrick

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray 

Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab) · slow.pics (opens in a new tab)

Video Notes:

Included in the Complete Kubrick box set with FiM encode of the same master from the Sony release without the filtering; Comparison between Sony and Criterion.

Best Audio:

Mono: 1994 LaserDisc (marginally, unfiltered) or Criterion 4K Blu-ray (filtered)
5.1 Remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Director: Stanley Kubrick

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Sources: slow.pics (opens in a new tab)

Video Notes:

Included in the Complete Kubrick box set with FiM encode of the same master from the WB release without the filtering Comparison between the Criterion and WB.

Best Audio:

5.1: WB 4K Blu-ray, a remix but has higher fidelity

Mono: Criterion 4K Blu-ray (restored for the box set)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Sources: slow.pics (opens in a new tab)

Video Notes:

Included in the Complete Kubrick box set with FiM encode of the same master from the WB release without the filtering; WB 4K early pressing has errors of a shot, later pressings fixed. Comparison between Criterion and WB.

Best Audio:

6-Track 70mm mix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray (restored for the box set), 1997 MGM LaserDisc, 1998 MGM DVD
35mm Mono Mix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Matrixed Stereo Remix: MGM Japan LaserDisc (1985) [G158F5509]
5.1 Remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Director: Steve James

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion Blu-ray and UK Dogwoof Blu-ray probably similar

Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)

Director: Victor Fleming

4K · Solid
Best English-Friendly & Video:

2D: Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

3D: Warner Bros 3D Blu-ray or Apple Vision Pro

Best Audio:

1989 MGM LaserDisc

Audio Notes:

(caveat: "there's" in first "there's no place like home" utterance in final Kansas scene truncated)

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

Director: Morton DaCosta

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray Nov 24th

More from Lana Wachowski

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Directors: Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly, Video & Audio:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Directors: Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski

4K · Excellent
Best English-Friendly & Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)

Upcoming Release:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Directors: Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski & Tom Tykwer

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Audio Notes:

(no audible difference)

Edit history

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Researched and maintained by

tyyuxvanshady

· last reviewed 5 months ago

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