National Film RegistryLibrary of Congress · Inducted 2012
“A visionary and complex film, the science-fiction epic "The Matrix" employed state-of-the-art special effects, production design and computer-generated animation to tell a story—steeped in mythological, literary, and philosophical references—about a revolt against a conspiratorial regime.”
Selected for preservation as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.
Directed by
Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Studio
Warner Bros. Entertainment · Village Roadshow Pictures · Silver Pictures · 136 min
Box office
$467.2M worldwide on a $63M budget
Honors
Academy Awards — 4 wins, 4 nominationsBritish Academy Film Awards — 2 winsSaturn Award — 2 winsAll 8 wins · 4 nominations on record
Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing
Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects
Academy Awards: Best Film Editing
Academy Awards: Best Sound
British Academy Film Awards: Best Sound
British Academy Film Awards: Best Special Visual Effects
Saturn Award: Best Director
Saturn Award: Best Science Fiction Film
Scholarship
Named in the title of 1 peer-reviewed work
Examples
Biofilms: the matrix revisited — Trends in Microbiology, 2004
Sources: Wikidata · Library of Congress · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
The Matrix arrived in 1999 from Warner Bros., a Wachowski-directed production that fused cyberpunk philosophy with groundbreaking visual effects, redefining action cinema for a generation. Its bullet time sequences and green-tinted digital aesthetic became cultural shorthand almost overnight, and the film's success spawned sequels, countless imitators, and academic discussion around simulation theory. For collectors, it stands as one of the defining blockbusters of the late twentieth century, a rare fusion of blockbuster spectacle and genuine intellectual ambition that still shapes how studios approach science fiction today.
This cell carries the name Morpheus, the mentor figure whose presence anchors the film's mythology of awakening and choice. Played by Laurence Fishburne, Morpheus is among the most quoted and collected characters from the production, tied inseparably to the red pill and blue pill exchange that gives the story its philosophical spine. A cell bearing his name situates the viewer within his scenes specifically, distinct from Neo or Trinity material, and appeals to collectors focused on the mentor archetype and the film's foundational dialogue between belief and reality.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of The Matrix (1999).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area, appearing as a dual bilateral (two-track) waveform pattern; a narrow Dolby Digital data-block strip is also visible between the optical track and the lower perforation row.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight warm-neutral tint; the dye image reads as a rich, dense colour positive with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks, or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with a theatrical release print of The Matrix (1999).
Era check
The combination of a dual bilateral variable-area optical track with a Dolby Digital data strip is consistent with a mid-to-late 1990s theatrical release print, matching the 1999 production date of the film on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063821
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
