Summary
- Dragon Ball has spanned more than 30 years, becoming an institution in the world of anime with a vast cinematic franchise.
- The Dragon Ball movies offer alternate continuities, introducing new characters and storylines while keeping fans entertained.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero delivers vibrant action and character development, showcasing Gohan reaching his potential in a visually stunning 3D animation.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
It may be more than thirty years old, but no anime has succeeded in accomplishing what Dragon Ball has. Not only is Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus a long-running series with many spin-off materials, but it’s practically an institution in the world of anime. Ongoing manga series like Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes continue to entertain audiences worldwide, especially the many incredible Dragon Ball films the franchise has produced.
In its decades-long lifespan, the epic adventures and fights of Son Goku have been seen and read in manga, video games, and lots of movies. With more than 20 movies to its name, Dragon Ball has a large enough cinematic franchise that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of James Bond in terms of scale, popularity, and influence.
There are a lot of Dragon Ball movies out there and many are essential viewings for fans as they bridge mysterious gabs in seasons of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super. Meanwhile, others are strange sidetracks of the franchise such as the three live-action movies and alternate non-canon timelines. Viewing all of the Dragon Ball movies in order can be a mighty task, so here’s how to watch them in order.
Related
How Dragon Ball’s Live-Action Movie Made the Franchise Bigger Than Ever
The live-action film Dragonball Evolution is a notoriously poor adaptation of a beloved series, but Dragon Ball fans owe a lot to the Hollywood bomb.
Dragon Ball: Curse Of The Blood Rubies Retells The Beginning Of Goku’s Story
The First Dragon Ball Movie Released in 1986 and Has A Runtime Of 51 Minutes
The very first Dragon Ball movie also started the series’ trend of setting stories in alternate continuities. Curse of the Blood Rubies is a condensation of the introductory arc of Akira Toriyama’s inspirational series. In its 51-minute runtime, viewers see the first encounters between Son Goku, Bulma, Master Roshi, Krillin, and more of the beloved cast, but with some changes.
Fans who have watched the first arc of the iconic Dragon Ball anime will find the events of the first film incredibly familiar. A significant difference between this movie and the original arc is that the antagonist, Emperor Pilaf, is replaced with the movie-only character King Gurumes, who never appears in any other Dragon Ball material after his debut. Several villains were changed for the movie, likely to make them seem more intimidating and less comedic than the original bumbling Pilaf gang.
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+.
Goku Earn’s Roshi’s Respect In Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess In Devil’s Castle
The Second Dragon Ball Movie Released in 1987 and Has A Runtime Of 45 Minutes
The second Dragon Ball movie is essentially a retelling of the first time Goku meets Krillin as they both try to become Master Roshi’s students. However, the film changes things up by having the young boys tested by traveling to a demon-infested castle to retrieve a sleeping princess. It’s an entertaining departure from the original story that’s also filled with super-powered martial arts and a literal devil named Count Lucifer.
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle is again a cinematic retelling of key events in Goku’s life. However, the plot involving Lucifer’s twisted Devil Castle Cannon blowing up the sun and the inclusion of Goku’s Great Ape form create a far more precarious situation than Master Roshi’s original initiation. Clocking in at 45 minutes, the second Dragon Ball movie is a fun but disposable watch for completionists.
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+.
Toriyama’s Strongest Character Helps Goku In Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure
The Third Dragon Ball Movie Released in 1988 and Has A Runtime Of 46 Minutes
The Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure movie again borrows significant plot threads from the series, but it does an effective job of combining characters and battles from different arcs to craft its story. After completing their year of training under Master Roshi, Goku and Krillin participate in a martial arts tournament held in Emperor Chiaotzu’s homeland of Mifan. However, they find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that involves General Tao, Tien, Chiaotzu, and the legendary Dragon Balls.
Compared to the previous Dragon Ball animated movies, Mystical Adventure takes even more liberties with its story by including characters from different arcs and giving them new roles and motivations. This movie also offers alternate versions of certain events in the manga, giving fans something new to look out for because the movie includes an arguably more effective introduction and backstory for Tien and Chiaotzu, who’d grow into vital characters for the franchise. The incredibly powerful android Arale from Toriyama’s Dr. Slump series also makes a humorous appearance to team up with Goku during an intense battle.
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+.
Before The Series Began, Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone Set The Bar High
The First Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1989 and Has A Runtime Of 41 Minutes
Dead Zone is the first of many movies to bear the Dragon Ball Z name while also technically working as the show’s prequel. Its plot again holds many similarities to events from the main storyline, with twists that also include Goku and Piccolo teaming up and showing off more of their skills compared to Raditz’s arrival. Here, an alien named Garlic Jr. seeks to avenge his father, who he feels was disgraced when Kami was chosen as the God of Earth over the elder Garlic.
While the Dragon Ball series is filled with villains who seek immortality, Garlic Jr. is the only one who succeeds in making the wish. To do this, his goons kidnapped Gohan, whose hat held the four-star Dragon Ball, and helped provide some incredible fights with impressive animation and choreography that continue to stand out years later. Despite a generic plot, the fourth Dragon Ball movie was so popular that Garlic Jr. returned in a full-blown Dragon Ball Z filler arc. The Garlic Jr. Saga takes place between the Namek and Android Arcs.
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
The Heroes Are Pushed Hard In Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
The Second Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1990 and Has A Runtime Of 60 Minutes
When a pair of mad scientists escape their icy prison, Goku and his comrades are thrust into a high-stakes battle to thwart their plans of global domination. The villains abduct Bulma and Master Roshi and even manage to brainwash Piccolo, pushing the Z Warriors into heart-pounding and intense situations. Meanwhile, the giant disembodied brain of Dr. Wheelo schemes to seize the body of the world’s strongest man in order to escape his robotic confinement.
The second DBZ movie, The World’s Strongest, is difficult to place on the series timeline because it takes place before the Namek saga but includes Goku using Kaioi-ken while Piccolo is still alive, an outcome that the Saiyan saga made impossible. Still, the film is more action-packed than its predecessors, partly thanks to the elements it borrows from Dragon Ball Z‘s first arcs. The World’s Strongest was criticized for its thin plot but praised for its energetic and well-animated fights. This sentiment would become the series’ staple as time went on.
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
An Evil Goku Lookalike Nearly Wins In Dragon Ball Z: The Tree Of Might
The Third Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1990 and Has A Runtime Of 61 Minutes
The third Dragon Ball Z movie features Turles, a rouge Saiyan who shares a shocking resemblance to Goku. He and his fellow space pirates land on Earth to plant the Tree of Might, which quickly grows large enough to be seen from space. The grotesque plant grants unimaginable power with the fruit it bears after it drains the planet’s life force. Obviously, Goku won’t let Earth go down without a fight.
Tree of Might presents one of the most intriguing rivalries in Dragon Ball, with the theory that Turles is Goku’s evil counterpart. However, he explains in the film that the cause of their identical appearance is because they were both born as lower class Saiyans, who he says all seemingly share similar physical characteristics. Like the previous film, Tree of Might features excellent action that fans won’t want to miss. Additionally, Turles’s movie has the most English dubs among all Dragon Ball media.
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Goku’s Dad Saves The Universe In Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father Of Goku
The First Dragon Ball Z TV Special Released In 1990 and Has A Runtime Of 48 Minutes
Serving as a prequel to the entire Dragon Ball franchise, Bardock – The Father of Goku reveals where and how the rivalry between the Saiyans and Frieza began. After gaining strange premonitions, Bardock realizes that his life’s mission is to protect his son if the Saiyans are to have a chance at stopping Frieza, arguably anime’s most iconic villain. The film more thoroughly explores Saiyan culture and the shocking events leading up to the Galactic Conqueror’s betrayal of the race and the destruction of Planet Vegeta.
Though it was a TV special that aired alongside the Frieza Saga (between episodes #63 – #64), Bardock’s emotionally charged prequel proved so well-received and popular that Toriyama integrated the formerly anime-only character into the official canon. The creator of Dragon Ball has stated in interviews that the Bardock film is his favorite and is not a story he’d have ever come up with on his own. This hints that Dragon Ball‘s success is thanks to many talented people, not just Akira Toriyama.
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father Of Goku is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+.
Dragon Ball: Fight For Victory, Son Goku! Is The First Life-Action Movie
The First Live-Action Dragon Ball Movie Released In 1990 and Has A Runtime Of 100 Minutes
The popularity of Dragon Ball was so immense that different countries have remade it into live-action features. However, not all of them have been made with legal permission. With the Dragon Ball franchise nearing its 40th anniversary, it’s surprising that more attempts at a live-action adaptation have yet to be made. The first of these attempts came from Korea in the form of the B-grade gem Fight for Victory, Son Goku! which adapts parts of the Emperor Pilaf saga and, surprisingly, some of the Saiyan Saga.
Being a low-budget movie with limited special effects, the first attempt at a live-action Dragon Ball movie is entertainingly wacky, especially with its stuffed animal adaptations of animal characters like Puar. It may not have the recognition of its American counterpart, but Fight for Victory, Son Goku! has the twin distinction of being the highest-rated live-action Dragon Ball movie on IMDB while also being the most faithful of the three live-action adaptations.
There is currently no legal way to watch Dragon Ball: Fight For Victory, Son Goku! but versions of it can be found on YouTube.
Goku Nearly Becomes A Super Saiyan For The First Time In Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
The Fourth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released in 1991 and Has A Runtime Of 52 Minutes
Earth is once again threatened when the titular Lord Slug, a banished Super Namekian, arrives on Earth with a considerable force of demonic soldiers. The evil villain has traveled the universe and destroyed countless planets, with Earth as his next target. After learning about Earth’s Dragon Balls, Slug uses them to gain eternal youth and become one of the strongest villains in DBZ.
The Lord Slug movie is often forgotten due to its incredibly generic plot and one-dimensional villain, which is saying something when considering every Dragon Ball installment. The fact that this entry bore a lot of similarities to The Tree of Might didn’t help. The fights, however, are just as entertaining as expected of a Dragon Ball movie. Lord Slug is the first DBZ movie to feature the iconic Funimation English dub cast and American rock music.
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Frieza’s Brother Makes An Entrance In Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
The Fifth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1991 and Has A Runtime of 47 Minutes
Cooler’s Revenge is the direct follow-up to Goku’s fight with Frieza. The powerful alien Cooler is introduced as Frieza’s more powerful big brother, who sets a warpath towards Earth to exact violent vengeance on Goku for killing his brother. While the relationship between the two powerful brothers was strained at best, the film’s villain feels obligated to repair his family’s name after his little brother’s defeat.
Though it follows a by-the-numbers revenge plot, Cooler’s Revenge expands the lore behind one of the franchise’s most iconic villains. The movie also includes memorably explosive fights, including one between a vengeful Cooler who showcases a transformation beyond Frieza’s final form and Goku’s newly unlocked Super Saiyan transformation. Its impact, however, was somewhat reduced by its sequel, The Return of Cooler.
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Monkey Boy Collects The Dragon Pearls In Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins
The Second Live-Action Dragon Ball Movie Released In 1991 and Has A Runtime Of 86 Minutes
Taiwan is responsible for the second unofficial attempt at bringing Dragon Ball to life, and it’s as fun as any B-movie find can get. The Magic Begins is an almost shot-for-shot remake of the first animated Dragon Ball movie, The Curse of the Blood Rubies. However, like every other live-action adaptation, the movie is filled with changes, even to the story of a non-canon film. The Dragon Balls are renamed the Dragon Pearls, and the film features an alien villain named King Horn, who seems like a combination of the villains from the first two DB movies.
The film received an English dub, but because it was created without the permission of Toei or Akira Toriyama, the names of all the characters were changed in an attempt to avoid legal action. With some notable name swaps, such as Monkey Boy for Goku and Piggy for Oolong. As low-budgeted and overacted as it is, the live-action movie, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins, has an undeniable so-bad-it’s-good charm that gives it some ironic appeal.
Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins is available to stream on Prime Video, Tubi, and YouTube.
Return Of The Revenge Arrives In Dragon Ball Z: The Return Of Cooler
The Sixth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1992 and Has A Runtime Of 46 Minutes
This sequel to Cooler’s Revenge pits Goku and Cooler against each other when the ominous Big Gete Star resurrects Frieza’s brother. Return of Cooler is known for accomplishing some of the firsts in the Dragon Ball movies. It is a direct sequel to a previous entry and breaks from the usual formula to introduce grander science-fiction themes. This was also the first time Vegeta and his vast array of show-stealing quotes were featured in a Dragon Ball movie.
The plot involves the colossal and amorphous metal mass called the Big Gete Star beginning to wrap itself around New Namek. Goku and the Z Warriors arrive and, with some stellar action scenes, work to free the planet from the mysterious robotic threat. Everything starts to come together when Metal Cooler arrives and starts to get the upper hand on Super Saiyan Goku until Vegeta arrives. The plot intensifies in a movie that sees Goku and Vegeta team up for one of the first times, with some of the most satisfying action the series has seen until that point.
Dragon Ball Z: Return of Cooler is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! Features The Ultimate Super Saiyans Vs Andoids Battle Royale
The Seventh Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1992 and Has A Runtime of 46 Minutes
Following Dr. Gero’s murder, an alternate timeline explores what would have happened if Androids 13, 14, and 15 were activated as a fail-safe. They head out to kill Goku, who is backed up by his usual roster of allies, except for the inclusion of the fan-favorite purple-haired Dragon Ball character Future Trunks. He was needed to fight the movie’s original Androids, who each represented a stereotype representation of a redneck, a strange-looking pimp, and a native american. The foes all eventually combine into a hulking blue fighter capable of taking on three of the best Super Saiyans the series ever knew.
Super Android 13! is one of the most straightforward Dragon Ball movies, immediately cutting to the intense fights fans love. This entry also features the series’ first time when Super Saiyan Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks fight together. Each has many moments to shine, including another epic finishing move with Trunk’s sword and a particularly brutal punch from Goku after he absorbs the energy of his Spirit Bomb.
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks Explores A Bleak Future
The Second Dragon Ball Z TV Special Released In 1993 and Has A Runtime Of 48 Minutes
The TV special dedicated to Future Trunks, the android-slaying and time-traveling hero, unveils his intriguing backstory. This special, aired between DBZ episodes #175 and #176, is set in a dystopian future where Goku’s demise and the triumph of Dr. Gero’s Androids over the Z warriors lead to the world’s subjugation. The young Trunks grows up in a world of fear and hiding, guided by his one-armed mentor, Gohan.
Related
Dragon Ball’s Future Gohan & Trunks Get the Relaxing Moment They Deserve in Heartwarming New Fanart
The Dragon Ball fan community carries the torch for Akira Toriyama with fanart giving the tortured future Gohan and Trunks a much-needed break.
Notable for sharing The Terminator‘s sci-fi bleakness instead of the series’s adventurous feel, The History of Trunks is praised for its unapologetically grim setting and tone. It felt different from any other Dragon Ball story, something that the franchise needed at the time. One particularly iconic scene earned a lot of tears from the fanbase for its incredibly emotional death of Gohan, which triggered Trunk’s Super Saiyan transformation for the first time.
Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+.
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan Introduced The Fan-Favorite Character
The Eighth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1993 and Has An Runtime Of 72 Minutes
The first DBZ starring Broly is considered one of the franchise’s best movies for many good reasons. It begins by establishing the film’s intimidating threat when a large section of a galaxy is attacked and disappears. It’s an ominous beginning that puts King Kai and viewers on edge immediately.
After the Z Warriors are lured to a new Planet Vegeta, an intense mystery begins to unravel, leading to a long and extreme battle against the legendary Saiyan warrior Broly. After his uncontrollable rage is fully unleashed, he becomes one of the most powerful villains in Dragon Ball history, who even had the Prince of all Saiyans shaking in his boots.
Despite the film’s convenient ending, the sheer force of Broly’s onslaught against the heroes, coupled with the captivating action and animation, was a delightful treat for fans. The Legendary Super Saiyan not only introduced a compelling story but also a breakout villain who turned into a fan-favorite character. Broly was made canon because he was so popular and integrated into the franchise’s main storyline, cementing the movie’s influence on the Dragon Ball universe.
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
With Goku Dead, Gohan Had To Pickup The Slack In Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
The Ninth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1993 and Has A Runtime Of 51 Minutes
After many world-ending fights against Frieza and Cell, Bojack Unbound returns to the series’ roots with a good old-fashioned tournament arc. Many of the Z fighters participate in battles, even against themselves, with one particularly great battle between Future Trunks and Tien. As per franchise tradition, the tournament is interrupted by evil-doers, and it’s up to Gohan and company to save the day.
For the first time in the movie series, Gohan is the main hero after his father’s sacrifice to stop Cell. Bojack and his goons provide some exciting confrontations that eventually trigger Gohan’s incredible Super Saiyan 2 power that he unlocked at the end of the Cell saga. This movie also serves as a throwback, not only because of the tournament arc but because of Toriyama’s direct involvement in story and design, making Bojack Unbound a beloved blast from the past.
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Goku’s Greatest Threat Takes On The Family In Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming
The Tenth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1994 and Has A Runtime Of 53 Minutes
The first Broly sequel isn’t well-regarded for many reasons. Its plot contains a lot of unbelievable conveniences, such as its beginning, which shows a recently defeated Broly arriving on Earth in a Saiyan pod. His landing traps him in an icy prison until seven years later, Broly returns with vengeance against Goku on his mind. The problem is that the film takes place before the Buu Saga when Goku’s dead, and the legendary Saiyan instead, comes face to face against Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Videl.
While the Family Kamehameha at the climax of Broly – Second Coming is arguably a more symbolic and satisfying ending than the first, Broly’s second movie has its issues, chief among them being the feared Saiyan’s character devolution. Broly was reduced to an angry brute whose sole purpose was to murder Goku. While Broly wasn’t the most articulate character in the first movie, he seemed significantly dumbed down to become a one-dimensional villain like most of the films have included. There is also the fact that Second Coming is child-friendly compared to previous entries, which didn’t improve matters.
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Broly’s Character Isn’t The Only Mess In Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
The Eleventh Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1994 and Has A Runtime Of 47 Minutes
Released less than half a year after Second Coming, Bio-Broly is often deemed the worst animated Dragon Ball movie. Its story, characters, and action all fall short of the high expectations set by The Legendary Super Saiyan and Bojack Unbound. The story follows a young Goten, Trunks, and Android 18 as they encounter some evil scientists and a rival of Mr.Satan, who is trying to blackmail him. They soon lose control of their most powerful Bio-Warrior, an attempted clone of Broly, who is a mere shade of his former self in his third and final DBZ movie.
Broly’s characterization is now at its lowest, with the legendary Saiyan reduced to an unintelligible pile of sludge reminiscent of DC’s dark hero Swamp Thing. Goten and Trunks’ antics only make things more insufferable, and even fan-favorite Android 18 plus comic relief extraordinaire Mr. Satan can’t save the day.
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
The Strongest Warrior Arrives In Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
The Twelfth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1995 and Has A Runtime Of 51 Minutes
Possibly to make up for Bio-Broly, the next movie, Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, is another that’s regarded as one of the franchise’s best movies. It takes place in the world of the afterlife and explores what happens when a machine that cleanses souls breaks and unleashes the culmination of the universe’s evil in the form of the iconic villain Janemba. Loaded with fan service and spectacular fights, Fusion Reborn is more of a celebration of all things Dragon Ball than a rumination of the plot’s morbid implications.
Fusion Reborn sees the boundaries of life and death begin to fracture, giving dead foes a chance to wreak havoc on Earth. Many beloved villains return for short rematches against the Z Fighters. Goku and Vegeta notably use the Fusion Dance together to introduce Gogeta to the Dragon Ball franchise for the first time. The movie was released around the time the DBZ anime concluded, which teased the Fusion Dance but never showed the series’ strongest fighters using it together. It’s a moment that many fans wish they could have experienced in movie theaters when it was first released.
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.
Goku Steals The Show From Trunks In Dragon Ball Z: Wrath Of The Dragon
The Thirteenth Dragon Ball Z Movie Released In 1995 and Has A Runtime Of 51 Minutes
Wrath of the Dragon is set after Majin Buu’s defeat. Goku and his friends learn that another threat looms on the horizon in the form of the unstoppable and humongous Hirudegarn, and they enlist the legendary and mysterious hero Tapion to save the day. Young Trunks forms a touching bond with swordsmen with some clever foreshadowing of his future self’s fighting style. Still, it would be enough to stop one of the series’ strongest monsters.
When DBZ ended, fans were anxious for new content from the franchise, so excitement was ripe for a movie that took place after Goku and Vegeta saved the Universe in the series finale from Kid Buu. Despite his dedicated following, Tapion has never been seen in Dragon Ball since his debut. This keeps the movie from becoming a classic for some fans, despite the stellar fights and Goku’s unexplained yet awesome ability to summon a Kaiju-sized dragon with his Super Dragon Fist Attack.
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath Of The Dragon is available subbed and dubbed in English on DVD and for streaming on AppleTV+ and Crunchyroll.