The Matrix is coming back to theaters for two days in September, and tickets for the experience are available now. The movie that changed pop culture forever turns 25 in 2024, making the year a perfect time to reflect on its massive impact. Written and directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski, The Matrix also served as a springboard for the careers of Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss, Hugo Weaving, and more.
Before The Matrix 5 finds its way to theaters, Fathom Events is letting audiences experience the franchise’s unforgettable start with showings at over 900 participating theaters on Thursday, September 19 (at 7:00 PM local time) and Sunday, September 22 (at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM local time). Tickets can be purchased at the Fathom Events website. The film will be presented alongside a special featurette, Down the Rabbit Hole: Reflections of The Matrix, in which The Matrix Resurrections actor Jessica Henwick shares how the original film influenced her. Henwick isn’t the only one for whom the movie had a profound effect—YouTuber Jessie Gender touched on the franchise’s impact in the following video:
Why The Matrix Is More Relevant Now Than Ever
The Matrix 25th anniversary showings are sure to recontextualize the movie for many viewers who haven’t plugged into the world in years. While certain aspects are very of their time (a modern-day Neo would have more than a little trouble finding a phone booth to escape this reality), others will feel almost predictive of the modern day. There may not be any Agent Smiths hunting down dissident hackers, but recent technological advancements are certainly reminiscent of the Wachowski’s world.
In 2024, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics have advanced faster and farther than most people who saw The Matrix in 1999 might have believed. The Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro are immersing users deeper than ever in virtual worlds. VR may have gained popularity in the gaming realm, but an emphasis on augmented reality functionality in products like the Apple Vision Pro begins to blur the lines between digital and tangible experiences.
Although the idea of artificial intelligence was present in pop culture long before The Matrix, the incredible advancement of generative AI in recent years makes it easier than ever to imagine a computer-generated Mega City like the one in which the people held in the Matrix live. Of course, the world of The Matrix is set after a war between human and machine—as long as nothing like Carnegie Mellon’s computer vision exists, we should be safe.
The Matrix returns to theaters on Thursday, September 19 and Sunday, September 22. Get your tickets at Fathom Events.
