The set ${\cal P}^{m\times n}_{r,d}$ of $m \times n$ complex matrix polynomials of grade $d$ and (normal) rank at most $r$ in a complex $(d+1)mn$ dimensional space is studied. For $r = 1, \dots , \min \{m, n\}-1$, we show that ${\cal P}^{m\times n}_{r,d}$ is the union of the closures of the $rd+1$ sets of matrix polynomials with rank $r$, degree exactly $d$, and explicitly described complete eigenstructures. In addition, for the full-rank rectangular polynomials, i.e. $r= \min \{m, n\}$ and $m \neq n$, we show that ${\cal P}^{m\times n}_{r,d}$ coincides with the closure of a single set of the polynomials with rank $r$, degree exactly $d$, and the described complete eigenstructure. These complete eigenstructures correspond to generic $m \times n$ matrix polynomials of grade $d$ and rank at most $r$.