# The Matrix

> The sci-fi film opened to $27.8 million domestically, then spread via DVDs and imitation.

- Owner: Warner Bros. / Village Roadshow; Lana and Lilly Wachowski (writer-directors)
- Kind: Film
- Sector: Entertainment
- Seed date: 1999-03-31
- Milestone date: 1999-04-19
- Date basis: Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.
- Spread Score: 70 (Viral, provisional), v1.2
- Mechanics: Mystery & lore, Catchphrase, Identity badge, Platform jump, Controversy

## Summary

The Matrix opened in cinemas after a paid campaign. DVD sales and online discussion extended its audience. Other filmmakers copied its effects; red-pill language later spread into political identity and drew a rebuke from Lilly Wachowski.

## Timeline

- 1999 — Warner Bros. (TV) — Warner promoted the film with a Super Bowl spot and trailers built around its unexplained premise.
- 1999-03-29 — Variety (Press) — Variety reviewed the film before its wide release and praised its effects while criticising the screenplay.
- 1999-03-31 — Warner Bros. / Village Roadshow (Box office) — Warner Bros. released The Matrix in US cinemas.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/the-matrix

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “The Matrix.” Case HIS-01432. Spread Score v1.2: 70/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01432