Dragon Ball: The Ultimate Viewing Order Guide for Movies and Series

The Dragon Ball franchise, a sprawling universe of high-octane action and heartwarming camaraderie, can be daunting to navigate. To fully appreciate the epic saga, the optimal viewing order interweaves the various series and movies to maintain narrative consistency and character development, offering an enriching viewing experience.

The Definitive Dragon Ball Viewing Order

Here’s the breakdown, meticulously crafted for maximum enjoyment and narrative coherence:

1. Dragon Ball (1986-1989): Start at the beginning. This introduces Goku as a child, his training under Master Roshi, and his early adventures seeking the Dragon Balls.

2. Dragon Ball Movie 1: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986): While technically not canon, it’s an enjoyable retelling of the beginning of Dragon Ball, featuring Emperor Pilaf as the main antagonist. Fits comfortably after the first few episodes of Dragon Ball.

3. Dragon Ball Movie 2: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987): Another non-canon adventure. This film offers a fun, self-contained story of Goku and Krillin training with Master Roshi. Watch after Curse of the Blood Rubies.

4. Dragon Ball Movie 3: Mystical Adventure (1988): A reimagining of the World Tournament saga. Again, non-canon but entertaining. Watch after Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle.

5. Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996): The core of the Dragon Ball experience. Follow Goku as he learns about his Saiyan heritage and faces increasingly powerful foes like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.

6. Dragon Ball Z Movie 1: Dead Zone (1989): Non-canon, but chronologically fits between the Saiyan and Frieza sagas. Introduces Garlic Jr.

7. Dragon Ball Z Movie 2: The World’s Strongest (1990): Another non-canon entry. Features Dr. Wheelo, a brilliant scientist whose brain is transplanted into a powerful robot body. Watch after Dead Zone.

8. Dragon Ball Z Movie 3: The Tree of Might (1990): A non-canon story about a Saiyan named Turles who plants a destructive tree. Watch after The World’s Strongest.

9. Dragon Ball Z Movie 4: Lord Slug (1991): Introducing a Namekian super-warrior! This movie, again non-canon, offers a fun side story. Place it after The Tree of Might.

10. Dragon Ball Z Movie 5: Cooler’s Revenge (1991): While non-canon, Cooler, Frieza’s brother, is a compelling villain. This movie generally fits well before the Android saga.

11. Dragon Ball Z Movie 6: Return of Cooler (1992): Cooler returns, this time as Metal Cooler. This also is best watched before the Android Saga.

12. Dragon Ball Z Movie 7: Super Android 13! (1992): Featuring Androids designed by Dr. Gero, but not the same ones seen in the main series. Watch this movie before the Cell Games Saga.

13. Dragon Ball Z Movie 8: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993): Broly’s first appearance. A powerful and incredibly popular movie, despite being non-canon. Watch before the Cell Games Saga.

14. Dragon Ball Z Movie 9: Bojack Unbound (1993): Set in a timeline where Goku is dead and Gohan steps up. Fits well during the Great Saiyaman Saga after the Cell Games.

15. Dragon Ball Z Movie 10: Broly – Second Coming (1994): Broly returns for more mayhem. Watch after Bojack Unbound.

16. Dragon Ball Z Movie 11: Bio-Broly (1994): The final Broly movie of the original Z era. Watch after Broly – Second Coming.

17. Dragon Ball Z Movie 12: Fusion Reborn (1995): Introducing Gogeta! A powerful villain Janemba wreaks havoc in the afterlife. Watch during the Majin Buu Saga.

18. Dragon Ball Z Movie 13: Wrath of the Dragon (1995): Tapion and Hirudegarn are the stars of this non-canon story. This movie also works well during the Majin Buu Saga.

19. Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997): (Generally considered non-canon). A continuation of the Dragon Ball Z story, featuring Super Saiyan 4 and new threats. Can be skipped if you prefer to stick to the core storyline outlined by Toriyama.

20. Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy (1997): The only GT movie. A sweet and heartwarming tale of Goku Jr.

21. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018): A direct sequel to Dragon Ball Z, bridging the gap between the end of Z and the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament. It introduces new universes, powerful Gods, and new transformations like Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue.

22. Dragon Ball Super Movie 1: Battle of Gods (2013): This movie, while released before the Dragon Ball Super series, is recapped within the first few arcs of the series. However, many prefer to watch it before the series for a first-time experience.

23. Dragon Ball Super Movie 2: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015): Like Battle of Gods, this movie is also recapped in the Dragon Ball Super series. Again, watching before the series can be a rewarding experience.

24. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018): A re-imagining of Broly, now fully canon. Watch this after completing the Tournament of Power arc in Dragon Ball Super.

25. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022): Focusing on Gohan and Piccolo, this movie is set after the events of the Dragon Ball Super manga, but takes place before the latest chapters.

Understanding Canon vs. Non-Canon

Defining Canon in Dragon Ball

Canon refers to the official storyline established by the original creator, Akira Toriyama. This primarily includes the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga, as well as Dragon Ball Super. The movies, particularly those before Battle of Gods, are generally considered non-canon, meaning they don’t directly affect or align with the core narrative.

The Significance of Non-Canon Material

While non-canon movies may not be essential for understanding the primary storyline, they often provide enjoyable side stories, introduce interesting characters (like Cooler or the original Broly), and offer alternative perspectives on the Dragon Ball universe. Many fans enjoy them for their entertainment value and unique battles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Dragon Ball GT necessary to watch?

Dragon Ball GT is generally considered non-canon and wasn’t directly written by Akira Toriyama. While it introduces some interesting concepts like Super Saiyan 4, it can be skipped without impacting your understanding of Dragon Ball Super or subsequent works. It’s really a matter of personal preference!

2. Should I watch Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ before or after their corresponding arcs in Dragon Ball Super?

This is a common dilemma. Chronologically, watching them before provides a fresher and more exciting introduction to Beerus and Golden Frieza. Watching them after completing the arcs allows you to appreciate the enhanced animation and expanded storyline of the Dragon Ball Super versions. The choice is yours, but many recommend watching the movies first.

3. Are all the Dragon Ball Z movies non-canon?

Yes, all the Dragon Ball Z movies from Dead Zone to Wrath of the Dragon are considered non-canon. They offer entertaining side stories and introduce memorable villains, but they don’t directly tie into the main Dragon Ball Z storyline.

4. What about Dragon Ball Super: Broly? Is that one canon?

Yes! Dragon Ball Super: Broly is fully canon. It re-imagines Broly’s character and integrates him into the Dragon Ball Super timeline, making him a significant character in the current continuity.

5. Where does Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero fit into the timeline?

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero takes place after the events of the Dragon Ball Super manga arc Granolah the Survivor Saga but before the most recent manga chapters. It continues the story focusing on Gohan and Piccolo’s development.

6. What’s the best way to stream Dragon Ball?

Popular streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu offer various Dragon Ball series and movies. Availability may vary by region, so it’s best to check which platform offers the specific content you’re looking for in your area.

7. Is there a difference between the original Japanese version and the English dub?

Yes, there are differences. The English dubs may have altered dialogue and musical scores compared to the original Japanese version. Some fans prefer the original Japanese for its faithfulness to the source material, while others prefer the English dub for ease of understanding.

8. Is it okay to skip filler episodes in Dragon Ball Z?

Skipping filler episodes is a common practice for those wanting a streamlined experience. However, some filler episodes can be entertaining and provide additional character development. Online guides can help you identify and decide which filler episodes to skip.

9. What are the key differences between the original Broly and the Dragon Ball Super Broly?

The original Broly was portrayed as a one-dimensional, rampaging Saiyan driven by a hatred for Goku. Dragon Ball Super: Broly reimagines him as a more sympathetic character with a tragic backstory, driven by circumstance rather than pure malice. His power is also significantly scaled up in the new version.

10. What is Dragon Ball Kai?

Dragon Ball Kai is a remastered and re-edited version of Dragon Ball Z, primarily focused on cutting out filler content to provide a more faithful adaptation of the manga. It also features updated animation and voice acting.

11. If the movies are non-canon, why should I watch them?

Even though they’re non-canon, the movies are packed with fantastic action sequences, unique villain designs, and engaging storylines that offer a fun diversion from the main series. They’re great for those who want more Dragon Ball content.

12. What’s the best Dragon Ball series for beginners?

Starting with the original Dragon Ball is highly recommended. It introduces the world, characters, and core concepts of the franchise in a lighthearted and accessible way. It builds a strong foundation for appreciating the more intense and complex storylines of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.