When does the Machine War begin in The Matrix? (approx. 2090)
Humanity's conflict with artificial intelligence reaches its conclusion. The machines win, and the systematic harvesting of the human population begins.
Open record →Overview
The Matrix timeline operates on two simultaneous levels: a simulated world locked to the year 1999, and a devastated real world set approximately two centuries later. The divergence begins around 2090, when humanity's war against its own artificial intelligence reaches a catastrophic conclusion. Machines defeat their creators, and the surviving human population is harvested to power a global network. To keep captive minds compliant, the machines construct a detailed simulation of late twentieth century life. It is a world indistinguishable from reality for those born inside it.
Within the simulation, resistance cells operate in secret, seeking individuals whose minds show signs of instability, small doubts that suggest an awareness of the constructed nature of their surroundings. In the real world, the city of Zion serves as the last free human settlement, buried deep underground near the planet's core. It is from this precarious base that operatives jack into the Matrix, recruit new members, and attempt to understand and ultimately dismantle the system. The story moves between these two layers, tracing the escalating conflict from a single awakening through open warfare to an uneasy ceasefire that reshapes the relationship between humanity and machine. Each event card below covers a key moment in both the simulated and real-world chronology.
When is Zion founded in The Matrix? (approx. 2100s)
The last free human city is established deep underground. Zion becomes the base of operations for all resistance activity against the machines.
Open record →When does The Matrix (1999) take place?
Neo discovers the truth about the simulated world he inhabits. Events within the film are set in a simulation fixed to March 1999.
Open record →When does The Matrix Reloaded take place? (2003 simulation)
The resistance pushes deeper into the system. Neo meets the Architect and learns the true nature of his role within the Matrix's design.
Open record →When does The Matrix Revolutions take place? (2003 simulation)
The war between humans and machines reaches its peak. The assault on Zion and Neo's final journey into Machine City determine the outcome for both sides.
Open record →When does The Matrix Resurrections take place? (approx. 2021 simulation)
A new simulation is running. Thomas Anderson lives again inside a reconstructed Matrix, unaware of his own history until familiar patterns begin to surface.
Open record →When does Neo meet Morpheus in the real world? (approx. 2199)
In the real-world chronology, the awakening of Thomas Anderson and his introduction to Morpheus occurs approximately two centuries after the Machine War began.
Open record →When is the truce between humans and machines in The Matrix? (approx. 2200)
Following the events of Revolutions, an agreement is reached. Machines cease their assault on Zion and those who wish to leave the simulation are permitted to do so.
Open record →FAQ
Q: What is the Matrix timeline in order?
The Machine War begins (approx. 2090) → Zion founded (approx. 2100s) → The Matrix simulation running (simulated 1999) → The Matrix (1999 film events) → The Matrix Reloaded (2003) → The Matrix Revolutions (2003) → The Matrix Resurrections (approx. 2021 simulation) → Neo meets Morpheus in real world (approx. 2199) → Truce between humans and machines (approx. 2200).
Q: When is the real-world setting of The Matrix?
The real-world events take place approximately in 2199, roughly two centuries after the Machine War began around 2090. The simulated world the characters inhabit is designed to resemble 1999.
Q: When does the Machine War start in The Matrix?
The Machine War begins approximately in 2090, according to the expanded Matrix universe including The Animatrix. Humanity loses the war and is subsequently harvested for energy by the machines.