Best Dragon Ball Movies

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Ever since Akira Toriyama, the renowned anime creator, initially launched the franchise in 1984, there have been a total of 24 productions. These include 21 animated films, one live-action movie (Spoiler alert: It’s a disaster), and some unauthorized productions. If you’re new to the Dragon Ball universe, here are our recommendations for top Dragon Ball movies to help you get started.

Best Dragon Ball Movies as of 2025

Instead of just watching the top Dragon Ball films, consider exploring the original Dragon Ball manga which sparked the franchise. Additionally, don’t forget about the classic Dragon Ball anime that launched everything. If you want to jump in without starting from the very first episode, a good starting point could be Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, released in 1986. It follows on from the first forty or so episodes of the original Dragon Ball TV series. Although the animation might seem simple, it provides an excellent introduction to this universe.

Some movies on our list are new releases, so don’t forget to check out the older ones too. Wrath of the Dragon is an excellent example of classic Dragon Ball Z, complete with a kaiju battle. By the way, Bardock: The Father of Goku is technically classified as a TV Special, but I still recommend you watch it.

This version maintains the original’s meaning while using simpler and more conversational language that is easy to read and understand.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)

As a movie enthusiast and Dragon Ball fanatic, I must say that 2018’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly is an absolute gem within the franchise. It stands as the first film to bear the “Super” title, set post-Dragon Ball Z, serving as a reimagined take on the original Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Legendary Super Saiyan (1993). The masterful mind behind it all is Tatsuya Nagamine, with storytelling by the legendary Akira Toriyama. Toei Animation brings this epic tale to life, delivering some of the most breathtaking animation in anime history – possibly the best ever seen!

This revamped film presents the character Broly, a potent Saiyan warrior who was traditionally portrayed as an antagonist. Although he’s made appearances in non-canonical Dragon Ball Z films, this interpretation seamlessly integrates him into the Dragon Ball Super continuity following the Tournament of Power. In the story, Goku and Vegeta are engaged in training when Frieza resurfaces, accompanied by an incredibly powerful new Saiyan (a rare and formidable extraterrestrial warrior species). Initially, it seems like a standard fight, but escalates into a life-or-death struggle. Furthermore, the movie boasts some of the most thrilling battle sequences ever seen in anime film history.

The Tree of Might (1990)

This movie is a heartfelt trip down memory lane for me, as I’m quite fond of that bittersweet pang of past times. The primary antagonist bears a resemblance to Goku yet encapsulates everything that Goku doesn’t. Turles, a rebellious Saiyan, seeks to cultivate a tree that harvests unparalleled power. Consuming the fruit bestows the power upon you. However, as the tree saps Earth’s vitality, Goku and the Z Fighters take action to thwart Turles. Regrettably, our villain has the energy of the tree at his disposal.

This type of villainy might not be the most intellectually stimulating nowadays, yet it still provides an enjoyable experience. What makes this Dragon Ball movie stand out is its nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic Dragon Ball Z, which makes it hard not to appreciate. Critics may argue that the conclusion is hasty and contradicts previous events, but I beg to differ. Give it a watch and decide for yourself – it boasts great storytelling, compelling characters, and a well-structured plotline.

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)

In an alternate realm known as the Otherworld, a young ogre (or oni) unwittingly sets off a catastrophic blast at the afterlife’s purification facility. The ensuing rift between the living and spirit worlds results in a torrent of souls re-entering Earth. From this turmoil arises Janemba, a formidable demon capable of manipulating reality and one of Dragon Ball’s most iconic antagonists. Since Goku has already perished and resides in the Otherworld, he takes on the responsibility to halt him. However, Janemba’s power continues to escalate, necessitating reinforcements for Goku.

Among the standout Dragon Ball films, Fusion Reborn is jam-packed with nonstop action. Masterfully crafted by Shigeyasu Yamauchi, it offers some of the most exhilarating animated battles within the series. It delivers epic team-ups and a dose of supernatural turmoil, while maintaining a balance between action and just enough backstory to give it significance. In short, it’s an entertaining ride that further cements its place as another iconic 90s Dragon Ball production.

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods (2013)

In 2013, we leap forward to the release of Battle of the Gods, which served as a reboot for the franchise and paved the way for Dragon Ball Super. This movie was masterfully directed by Masahiro Hosoda, with a story conceived by Akira Toriyama and a script written by Yūsuke Watanabe. This production generated an excitement level for Dragon Ball Z that hadn’t been felt in years.

Following the conquest of Majin Buu, the tale unfolds with Goku encountering Beerus, the deity of destruction, who stirs from a prolonged slumber in quest of a mythical warrior – the Super Saiyan God. Upon his arrival on Earth, Goku embarks on a unique Saiyan rite to activate this divine form. The ensuing conflict sends tremors across the planet and introduces us to an even vaster cosmos. Though the plot may seem grave, the movie is far from it – it’s full of fun and humor! The updated animation style is a refreshing step forward while retaining the essence of anime tradition.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)

In 2022, the follow-up movie to Dragon Ball Super: Broly titled “Super Hero” hit the screens. Interestingly, its release was postponed a few months because of a cyberattack at Toei Animation Studios. This is worth noting as it was the first Super film to employ CGI animation. At first, we were hesitant about this change, but the visuals left us amazed. In the end, it turned out to be the second-highest-grossing Dragon Ball movie ever made.

Under the guidance of director Tetsuro Kodama, who collaborated with Akira Toriyama on the script and story, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero brings Piccolo and Gohan to the forefront as they confront a fresh menace: the resurgent Red Ribbon Army. In this instance, the army has developed two formidable androids and a monstrous hidden weapon. When Pan is abducted and Earth is in peril, Gohan must reawaken his full potential. This film is fantastic, managing to feel like a heartfelt tribute to longtime fans while also modernizing the series.

How we chose the best Dragon Ball movies

Certainly, you ask how we made our selection? There were many options available, most of them quite enjoyable (except for the live-action disaster mentioned earlier). Still, we couldn’t resist giving it a watch just for fun. In making our decision, we aimed to present a variety of Dragon Ball movies while taking into account their influence on the franchise, the progression of animation styles, character portrayals, and writing quality. Naturally, I also considered which films featured the most exciting fight scenes.

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2025-08-05 03:18