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.

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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. Viewing all of the Dragon Ball movies in order can be a mighty task, so when was each released?

Updated on January 21st, 2022 by Melody MacReady: 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.

Currently, there are no new Dragon Ball movies since Dragon Ball Super: Broly but the many animated and live-action movies of the past have become available to stream for fans both new and old alike. Whether it's through a free version on YouTube or requires a paid subscription to view.

Dragon Ball: Curse Of The Blood Rubies (1986)

Characters together from Dragon Ball Curse of the Blood Rubies

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

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 manga’s introductory arc, where the always nice Son Goku meets the likes of Bulma and Master Roshi for the first time, but with some changes.

A major 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.

Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess In Devil’s Castle (1987)

Goku and Krillin in Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess In Devil’s Castle (1987)

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

The second Dragon Ball movie is essentially a retelling of the classic fairy tale. Only now it has super-powered martial arts and a literal devil named Count Lucifer.

Once again, this is a cinematic retelling of key events in Goku’s life, such as meeting Krillin for the first time and becoming Master Roshi’s student. Clocking in at less than an hour, Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle is a fun but disposable watch for Dragon Ball completionists.

Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988)

Cover artwork for Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

After completing their year of training under Master Roshi, Goku and Krillin participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament, only to find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that involves a plot against Emperor Chiaotzu and the legendary Dragon Balls.

Compared to the previous Dragon Ball animated movies, Mystical Adventures 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 here.

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)

Garlic Jr. in Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

Dead Zone is the first of many movies to bear the Dragon Ball Z name while also serving as the show's prequel. Here, an alien named Garlic Jr. seeks to avenge his father, who he feels was disgraced when Kami was chosen as God of Earth over the elder Garlic.

Despite a generic plot, the fourth Dragon Ball movie was so popular that Garlic Jr. returned in a full-blown Dragon Ball Z arc. The Garlic Jr. Saga takes place between the Namek and Android Arcs.

Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest (1990)

Goku and Piccolo standing side-by-side in Dragon Ball Z The World's Strongest

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

When a pair of mad scientists break out of their icy prison, Goku and company have to put a stop to their plans of world domination. Meanwhile, the disembodied brain that is Dr. Wheelo plots to steal the body of the world’s strongest man, so that he can escape his current robotic shell.

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Notably more action-packed than its predecessors, 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 Tree Of Might (1990)

Goku fighting in Dragon Ball Z: The Tree Of Might (1990)

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

The third Dragon Ball Z movie features Turles and his space-pirates when they land on Earth to plant the Tree of Might, which will give them unimaginable power after it drains the planet’s life force. Obviously, Goku won’t go down without a fight.

Tree of Might presents one of the most intriguing rivalries in all of Dragon Ball, with Turles being Goku’s evil counterpart. Problem is, the necessary backstories can only be found in the guidebooks. Additionally, Tree of Might has the most English dubs among all Dragon Ball media.

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father Of Goku (1990)

Bardock in Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father Of Goku (1990)

• Available on YouTube

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.

Though it was a TV special that aired alongside the Frieza Saga, Bardock’s emotionally-charged prequel proved to be so well-received and popular that Toriyama integrated the formerly anime-only character into the official canon.

Dragon Ball: Fight For Victory, Son Goku! (1990)

A child actor in Dragon Ball: Fight For Victory, Son Goku! (1990)

The popularity of Dragon Ball was so immense that different countries remade it into live-action features, albeit without legal permission. The first of these attempts came from Korea in the form of the B-grade gem Fight for Victory, Son Goku!

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.

Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)

Goku fighting in Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

Earth is once again threatened when the titular Lord Slug, a space pirate intent on wiping out all life on the planet, arrives and is challenged by Goku. Lord Slug is often forgotten due to its incredibly generic plot and its one-dimensional villain, which is saying something when taking every single Dragon Ball installment into account.

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.

Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (1991)

Goku fighting Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (1991)

• Available on AppleTV

Cooler’s Revenge is the direct follow-up to Goku’s fight with Frieza. The powerful alien Cooler sets a warpath towards Earth to exact violent vengeance on Goku for killing his brother, Frieza.

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Though it follows a by-the-numbers revenge plot, Cooler’s Revenge expands the lore behind one of the franchise’s most iconic villains while adding some memorably explosive fights between a vengeful Cooler and Goku. Its impact, however, was somewhat reduced by its sequel The Return of Cooler.

Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins (1991)

The cast of characters in Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins (1991)

• Available on YouTube

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 Curse of the Blood Rubies with some cosmetic changes, such as renaming the Dragon Balls to Dragon Pearls.

As low-budgeted and overacted as it is, this remake has an undeniable so-bad-it’s-good charm that gives it some ironic appeal.

Dragon Ball Z: The Return Of Cooler (1992)

Goku being choked in Dragon Ball Z: The Return Of Cooler (1992)

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

This sequel to Cooler’s Revenge pits Goku and Cooler against each other when Frieza’s brother is resurrected by the ominous Big Gete Star. Return of Cooler is known for accomplishing some firsts among Dragon Ball movies.

Not only is it a direct sequel to a previous entry, but it 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.

Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)

Andrew 13 in Dragonball.

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

Following Dr. Gero’s murder by Androids 17 and 18, Androids 13, 14, and 15 are activated as a fail-safe. The three head out to kill Goku, who is backed up by his usual roster of allies.

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 where Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks fight together.

Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks (1993)

Trunks reacting angrily to Gohan's death in History Of Trunks

• Available on AppleTV

The backstory of the android-slaying and time-traveling Future Trunks is revealed in his very own TV special, which takes place in a dark future where Dr. Gero’s powerful Androids successfully subjugated the world.

Notable for sharing the bleakness of The Terminator instead of the adventurous feel of the series, 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.

Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)

The original Broly as a Legendary Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball Z: Broly

Upon arriving on the planet New Vegeta, Prince Vegeta discovers their true plans of universal conquest that are being spearheaded by the legendary Saiyan warrior Broly; who has become one of the most powerful villains in Dragon Ball history.

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Thanks to its compelling story, feature-length run time, and breakout villain, The Legendary Super Saiyan is often considered to be the best Dragon Ball movie. Broly’s recent revival in Dragon Ball Super is a testament to his enduring popularity, even if his Dragon Ball Z sequels didn’t give him the justice he deserved.

Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)

Bojack in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)

• Available on AppleTV

After many world-ending fights, Bojack Unbound returns to the series’ roots with a good old-fashioned tournament arc. 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. 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: Broly – Second Coming (1994)

Broly in Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)

• Available on AppleTV

Seven years after his defeat, Broly returns with vengeance against Goku in mind. The problem is that Goku’s dead and the legendary Saiyan is forced to face Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Videl instead.

The first Broly sequel isn’t well-regarded for many reasons, chief among them being the feared Saiyan’s character devolution. Broly has been reduced to an angry brute who just wants to murder Goku and the fact that Second Coming is child-friendlier than previous entries doesn’t improve matters.

Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)

Bio-Broly in Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)

Released less than half a year after Second Coming, Bio-Broly is often deemed the worst animated Dragon Ball 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: Fusion Reborn (1995)

Goku in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)

Living and dead heroes and villains converge in Fusion Reborn, an ambitious crossover that happens after the dim-witted but dangerous Janemba breaks the border between the mortal realm and the afterlife. 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 may also be the most notorious Dragon Ball movie around due to its inclusion of a character referred to as The Dictator, whose scenes were omitted in French, German, and Hebrew cuts of the movie for obvious Nazi-related reasons.

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath Of The Dragon (1995)

Trunks and Tapion taking on Hirudegarn in Dragon Ball Z: Wrath Of The Dragon

• Available on AppleTV and Funimation

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 Hirudegarn, and they enlist the legendary hero Tapion to save the day.

Despite his dedicated following, Tapion is never seen in Dragon Ball after his debut. This is what 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.