Recalling Fashion at 'The Matrix' Premiere in 1999: Iconic Celeb Looks from George Clooney, Carrie-Anne Moss and More

Just take a moment to admire these nostalgic photos from the premiere of The Matrix, as the film marks its 25th anniversary this month.

Directed by the talented sisters Lana and Lilly Wachowski, this iconic sci-fi movie first hit theaters on March 24, 1999, in Los Angeles. With Keanu Reeves in the lead role of Neo, a computer programmer who discovers the truth about humanity's enslavement by machines, the film quickly became a blockbuster success and set a new standard for action films.

The Matrix not only introduced the concept of "bullet time," but it also sparked a fascination with black leather, both on and off the screen. Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity are often seen sporting cascading leather trenchcoats and buckle-heavy boots.

According to costume designer Kym Barrett, the Wachowskis always emphasized a dark and high-contrast aesthetic for the film. In a 1999 interview, Barrett mentioned that the directors wanted Trinity to exude a sleek and oily appearance. They would provide her with simple guidelines, allowing Barrett to create unique designs that would evolve through discussion.

Patent leather was rare on the red carpet, but the movie's stars and other A-list guests embraced the dark theme at The Matrix premiere in 1999.

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Credit: Getty Images (3)

What Stars Wore to ‘The Matrix’ Premiere in 1999: George Clooney, Carrie-Anne Moss and More

Just take a moment to check out these awesome throwback photos from the premiere of The Matrix, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.

This iconic sci-fi movie was directed by sisters Lana and Lilly Wachowski and first hit theaters on March 24, 1999, in Los Angeles. Starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer who discovers that intelligent machines have enslaved humanity, The Matrix quickly became a huge success at the box office and set a new standard for action films.

The Matrix not only introduced the concept of "bullet time," but it also sparked a fascination with black leather, both on and off the screen. Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity are often seen sporting long leather trenchcoats and chunky boots.

According to costume designer Kym Barrett, the Wachowskis always emphasized a dark and high-contrast aesthetic for the film. In a 1999 interview, Barrett mentioned that they wanted Trinity to exude a slick, oily vibe. The directors would provide simple guidelines for the costumes, allowing Barrett to come up with designs that would evolve through discussions with the team.

The red carpet at the premiere of The Matrix in 1999 was lacking in patent leather, but the stars and other A-list guests definitely embraced the "dark" theme. Check out their stylish outfits below:

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Keanu Reeves

Reeves, who portrayed Neo in the movie, brought his sisters Kim and Karina to the premiere. Staying true to his character, Reeves was dressed in all-black attire, while Karina also opted for a similar color scheme except for her coral-colored sandals. Kim, on the other hand, stood out in a gray satin evening gown paired with a matching shawl.

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Carrie-Anne Moss

Moss, who starred as Trinity, opted for an elegant, strapless black gown, which she accessorized with a pale pink wrap. 

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Joe Pantoliano

Pantoliano, known for his role as Cypher in The Matrix, was accompanied by his wife, Nancy Sheppard at the premiere. In a departure from the Matrix aesthetic, he stood out in a pink shirt and a stylish bowler hat.

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George Clooney

Clooney wasn’t in The Matrix, but he was at the height of his powers in 1999, having announced the year prior that he would be leaving his role as Dr. Doug Ross on ER. 

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Matthew Perry

The late Friends star seemingly got the all-black memo, wearing the color for his night out at the premiere. 

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Drew Barrymore

Barrymore was the picture of the decade in a distressed jean skirt, square-toed boots and brown cloche hat. 

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Chris Rock

Rock, accompanied by a date, showed up at the premiere in a baggy ’90s suit. Also present, but not captured in the photo, were Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the Matrix sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

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Mark Wahlberg

Wahlberg opted for a baby blue button-down under a sport coat.  

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Kiefer Sutherland

The 24 alum wore a white shirt — very rare for this red carpet — which he accessorized with a pinstriped jacket. 

Editor's P/S:

The premiere of The Matrix in 1999 was a star-studded event that showcased the iconic film's enduring impact on fashion and culture. The film's stars, including Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano, embraced the dark and edgy aesthetic of the movie, while other A-list guests like George Clooney and Matthew Perry also adhered to the all-black attire. The premiere marked a watershed moment in Hollywood, setting a new standard for action films and leaving a lasting impression on the entertainment industry.

The Matrix's influence extended beyond the silver screen, sparking a fascination with black leather and high-contrast visuals. Costume designer Kym Barrett played a pivotal role in creating the film's distinct look, which has become synonymous with the cyberpunk genre. The premiere red carpet served as a testament to the film's cultural impact, with stars and guests alike embracing the dark and enigmatic style that has become synonymous with The Matrix.