The Dragon Ball franchise, renowned for its explosive action, memorable characters, and decades-spanning legacy, boasts a considerable collection of feature films. To answer the core question directly: there are a total of 23 Dragon Ball movies, spanning across the original Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super continuities. This article provides a comprehensive guide to each film, their chronology, and addresses frequently asked questions to give fans a clear understanding of the Dragon Ball cinematic universe.
A Chronological Exploration of the Dragon Ball Movies
Understanding the release order and placement within the Dragon Ball timeline is crucial for grasping the full narrative. The films don’t always adhere strictly to the established canon, often presenting alternate storylines or side stories. However, their entertainment value and contribution to the overall Dragon Ball experience are undeniable.
Dragon Ball Movie Series
This first set of films accompanies the original Dragon Ball anime series and introduces cinematic adaptations of early storylines.
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986): An alternative retelling of Goku and Bulma’s first meeting, focused on King Gurumes’s search for the Dragon Balls.
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987): Goku and Krillin seek training from Master Roshi and face a challenging test on the way.
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988): A reimagining of the Emperor Pilaf saga, with elements from the Red Ribbon Army arc.
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996): A retelling of the Dragon Ball origin, created as the 10th anniversary celebration film.
Dragon Ball Z Movie Series
This iconic series is where the majority of Dragon Ball films reside. The Dragon Ball Z movies generally offer non-canonical adventures that expand on the universe and feature epic battles.
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989): Garlic Jr. seeks immortality and revenge against Kami.
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990): Dr. Kochin revives Dr. Wheelo’s brain and searches for a powerful body.
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990): Turles, a Saiyan, plants the Tree of Might to drain the planet’s energy.
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991): Lord Slug, a Namekian Super Namek, aims to conquer the Earth.
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991): Cooler, Frieza’s brother, seeks vengeance against Goku.
- Dragon Ball Z: Return of Cooler (1992): Cooler returns as Meta-Cooler, leading an army of robotic clones.
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992): Dr. Gero’s activated Androids 13, 14, and 15 target Goku.
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993): Broly, a Saiyan with immense power, is awakened and seeks destruction.
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993): Bojack, a space pirate, is released from his imprisonment and challenges Earth’s warriors.
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994): Broly returns to Earth and encounters Goten and Trunks.
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994): A clone of Broly is created, resulting in a monstrous bio-weapon.
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995): Janemba, a demon created from the Other World’s impurities, threatens the universe.
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995): Tapion is released from a music box, unleashing the powerful monster Hirudegarn.
Dragon Ball Super Movie Series
These films are officially considered canon and contribute directly to the ongoing Dragon Ball Super storyline.
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013): (Technically Dragon Ball Z but sets up Super). Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens and searches for the Super Saiyan God.
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015): (Technically Dragon Ball Z but sets up Super). Frieza is revived and seeks revenge against Goku and Vegeta.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018): A re-imagining of Broly’s origin story, now integrated into the official canon.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022): The Red Ribbon Army returns with new Androids and a powerful new weapon.
Live-Action Movie
- Dragonball Evolution (2009): A live-action adaptation of the Dragon Ball franchise, widely considered non-canon and poorly received.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the vast landscape of Dragon Ball movies, here’s a curated list of FAQs:
H3: Are all Dragon Ball movies canon?
No, not all Dragon Ball movies are canon. The original Dragon Ball movies and most of the Dragon Ball Z movies are considered non-canonical side stories. Only Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero are considered part of the official Dragon Ball timeline, primarily because they tie directly into the Dragon Ball Super anime series.
H3: Which Dragon Ball movies are considered the best?
Taste is subjective, but some of the most highly regarded Dragon Ball movies include:
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn: Praised for its unique villain and the epic Gogeta fusion.
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan: Popular for its iconic villain and intense action.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly: A modern masterpiece that reimagines Broly in a compelling way.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero: Innovative animation style and focus on Gohan and Piccolo make it a fan favorite.
H3: In what order should I watch the Dragon Ball movies?
While most Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z movies are standalone, it’s generally recommended to watch them in release order for the best experience. This allows you to appreciate the evolution of the animation style and the characters. The Dragon Ball Super movies should be watched after completing the Dragon Ball Super anime series, specifically Dragon Ball Super: Broly follows the Tournament of Power arc, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is set after the Granolah the Survivor arc.
H3: Where can I watch the Dragon Ball movies?
The availability of Dragon Ball movies varies depending on your region and streaming service subscriptions. However, many of the movies are available for streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Funimation. They can also be purchased digitally or physically on DVD and Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
H3: Are the Dragon Ball Z movies connected to the main series?
Generally, no, the Dragon Ball Z movies are not directly connected to the main series. They often feature characters and power levels that don’t align with the established canon, presenting alternate storylines that don’t impact the overall narrative of the Dragon Ball Z anime.
H3: Who is the strongest villain in the Dragon Ball movies?
This is a hotly debated topic. While power scaling in non-canon movies is inconsistent, many fans consider Broly (from Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan) and Janemba (from Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn) to be among the strongest. However, the Broly from Dragon Ball Super: Broly is officially stronger within the canon storyline.
H3: Why are some Dragon Ball movies considered non-canon?
The term “canon” refers to the officially recognized storyline of a franchise. The Dragon Ball Z movies were produced largely independently of the main anime series. Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, wasn’t always heavily involved in their production, resulting in inconsistencies and alternate storylines.
H3: Will there be more Dragon Ball movies in the future?
Yes, it is highly likely that there will be more Dragon Ball movies in the future. The Dragon Ball franchise remains immensely popular worldwide, and Toei Animation has expressed interest in continuing to produce new content, including movies. A new Dragon Ball series is also rumored to be in development.
H3: What is the difference between the Dragon Ball Z movies and the Dragon Ball Super movies?
The main difference is their canonicity. Dragon Ball Z movies are generally non-canon side stories. In contrast, the Dragon Ball Super movies (Broly and Super Hero) are officially part of the ongoing Dragon Ball Super storyline and were more directly supervised by Akira Toriyama. Additionally, the animation styles and overall production quality tend to be higher in the Super films.
H3: What is the timeline placement of the Dragon Ball Super movies?
Dragon Ball Super: Broly takes place after the Tournament of Power arc from the Dragon Ball Super anime. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is set after the Granolah the Survivor arc.
H3: Are there any Dragon Ball movies that should be skipped?
While all Dragon Ball movies offer some entertainment value, some are generally considered weaker than others. Bio-Broly and Dragonball Evolution (the live-action film) are often cited as the least favorite among fans. However, even these movies can be enjoyable for their camp value.
H3: What is the best way to experience the Dragon Ball franchise?
The most recommended approach is to start with the original Dragon Ball anime, followed by Dragon Ball Z, and then Dragon Ball Super. The movies can be watched alongside the anime series, keeping in mind that most Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z films are non-canon. Watching the movies in release order is a good way to enjoy their evolution and the overall franchise.