Finding the best Dragon Ball movies order can feel as intense as a battle for the Namekian Dragon Balls. With over 20 films and several TV specials spanning decades, it is easy to get lost in the timeline. Most fans want a way to watch these adventures without getting confused by what counts as part of the main story.
I have broken down the three best ways to watch: by release date, chronological story order, or sticking strictly to the modern canon. Whether you want to see the classic 90s brawlers or the high-stakes battles of the Super era, there is a path for you. You deserve to enjoy every Kamehameha and transformation without constantly checking a wiki page.
Key Takeaways
- Most early Dragon Ball films are non-canon side stories that function as ‘what-if’ scenarios or alternate dimensions rather than official timeline events.
- Modern films like Battle of Gods, Broly, and Super Hero are essential canon entries that directly impact the series continuity and character development.
- Watching by release date is the most seamless way to experience the franchise’s evolving animation style and creative history without timeline confusion.
- To place non-canon movies chronologically, match the heroes’ current power levels and available techniques to the corresponding sagas in the television series.
Chronological Dragon Ball Movies Order and Timeline Placement
Pinpointing exactly where the movies fit into the timeline can be tricky because most of the original films are not considered canon. I like to think of them as side stories or alternate dimensions that reflect the power levels of the heroes at specific moments in the show. For example, the first few Dragon Ball Z films happen around the time the Saiyans arrive on Earth, while later movies feature the iconic Super Saiyan transformations. If you want to watch them in a way that makes sense, you should match the heroes’ current power levels and what techniques they are using during that specific era. This helps bridge the gap between the theatrical action and the main plot of Dragon Ball Z episode 1, The New Threat.
If you are following the chronological Dragon Ball movies order, you can start the first movie right after the original series ends and before the Z era begins. As you move through the Frieza and Cell sagas, you can pause the show to watch films like The Revenge of Cooler or Super Android 13 to see extra battles. These movies usually mirror the stakes of the current TV arc, even if the events do not perfectly align with the main continuity. You will notice that Goku and his friends often use specific moves that they just learned in the anime, such as the Kaio-ken or the Spirit Bomb. This is especially true around the time of the Trunks saga and Dragon Ball Z episode 120, Another Super Saiyan.
The modern era changes things by introducing films that are actually part of the official story started by Akira Toriyama. Modern films like Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Super: Broly are essential viewing because they lead directly into the events of the newer series. Unlike the older films, these stories have a permanent impact on the characters and their transformations. I recommend watching these right after finishing the Majin Buu saga to see how the world expands into the multiverse. This transition marks a huge shift in the franchise history that culminates in the emotional finale of Dragon Ball Z episode 291, Granddaughter Pan.
Canon Versus Non-Canon Dragon Ball Movies Order
The massive library of Dragon Ball films can be confusing because most early Dragon Ball films from the 1980s and 90s exist in their own separate dimensions. These classic stories, like the battles against Cooler or Janemba, are considered non-canon side adventures that do not impact the main storyline of the show. While they are fun to watch, they often feature power levels or character deaths that contradict the events happening in the weekly episodes. You can think of them as what-if scenarios that take place in a parallel reality rather than the official timeline. These films usually fit into an approximate chronological spot based on who is alive or what transformations are used, such as Goku being a Super Saiyan during the fight with Android 13 in Dragon Ball Z episode 147, The Last Barrier.
The modern era of filmmaking changed everything by introducing stories that are officially part of the series continuity. Starting with Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, the creator began writing scripts that lead directly into the events of the newer series. These modern movies, including Broly and Super Hero, are essential viewing because they introduce new forms and characters that reappear later in the show. Watching these in the correct order is vital for understanding why certain heroes have gained massive power boosts or why former enemies are now allies. This shift in storytelling ensures that the cinematic events carry weight when you finally reach the high stakes of the Dragon Ball timeline in Dragon Ball Super episode 47, SOS from the Future.
Watching Dragon Ball Movies Order by Release Date
Watching the Dragon Ball movies in their original release order is the best way to see how the franchise grew from a whimsical adventure into a high stakes battle epic. You get to follow the animation journey from the hand drawn charm of the eighties all the way to the polished digital effects of the modern era. This method takes the guesswork out of where to start since you are simply following the history of the series as it happened in Japan. It is especially fun to see how the creators experimented with different villains and power levels before they became staples of the main show. This path allows you to experience the same excitement fans felt decades ago as each new cinematic chapter hit the big screen Dragon Ball episode 153, The Quenching of Holy Fires.
One of the biggest struggles for fans is trying to fit these movies into the main story because many of them do not actually fit the official timeline. By following the release dates, you can stop worrying about whether a movie is canon and just enjoy the action for what it is. You will see Goku and his friends face off against legendary foes like Broly or Cooler right alongside the sagas that were airing on television at the time. This approach highlights the creative freedom the movie teams had to tell unique stories that did not have to follow the manga rules. It makes for a much smoother viewing experience than trying to pause your binge watch to find a specific chronological gap Dragon Ball Z episode 120, Another Super Saiyan.
This viewing order also helps you appreciate the massive jump in scale when you finally reach the modern Dragon Ball Super era. Starting with the early films and working your way up to masterpieces like Super Hero shows you just how far the choreography and storytelling have come. You get to see the transition from the classic Z style into the vibrant and fast paced world of the 21st century films. It is a nostalgic trip that rewards you with a deeper understanding of why this franchise remains a global phenomenon after so many years. Following the release calendar ensures you do not miss a single special or theatrical event while keeping the momentum of the series going strong Dragon Ball Z episode 280, Vegetas Respect.
How to Choose Your Watching Experience
Choosing the right way to watch these movies depends entirely on how much of a completionist you want to be. If you are a newcomer who wants to stick strictly to the official story, focusing only on the modern Dragon Ball Super films like Broly and Super Hero is your best bet. These canon entries flow directly from the main plot and do not require you to figure out where they fit. For those who want to see everything in the order it was originally shown to the world, following the release dates from 1986 to the present is a fun way to watch the animation evolve. You get to experience the franchise exactly as fans did over the decades without worrying about timeline headaches.
If you enjoy a more immersive experience, trying to slot the non-canon movies into their approximate spots in the timeline is a rewarding challenge. Even though many of the older films do not perfectly fit the show logic, watching them during the specific sagas they reference makes the journey feel more cohesive. You can jump into a movie whenever a specific character transformation or power level matches what you just saw in the anime. This path is perfect for fans who want to spend as much time as possible in the world of Goku and his friends. No matter which route you pick, the most important thing is to sit back and enjoy the high-octane action that makes this series so special.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best way to watch the Dragon Ball movies?
I recommend choosing a path based on your goals, such as three best ways to watch based on release date for nostalgia or chronological order to match the characters power levels. If you want to stick to the official story, you should focus on the modern canon films like Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
2. Are all the Dragon Ball movies considered part of the official story?
Most of the original films are side stories or alternate dimensions that do not perfectly align with the main timeline. I view them as fun adventures that reflect what the heroes were capable of during specific arcs, like the battle with Frieza or the Cell Games.
3. When should I start watching the first Dragon Ball Z movie?
You can start the first movie right after the original series ends and before the Z era begins. This helps you bridge the gap between the early adventures and the arrival of the Saiyans in Dragon Ball Z episode 1, The New Threat.
4. How do I know where a movie fits in the timeline?
The best way to place a movie is to look at which characters are alive and what techniques they are using at that time. For example, movies featuring Super Saiyans naturally take place during or after the era where Goku first transformed on Namek.
5. Can I watch the movies while I am still watching the TV show?
Yes, you can pause the show to watch films like The Revenge of Cooler or Super Android 13 to see extra battles. These movies usually mirror the stakes of the current TV arc even if the events are not canon.
6. Which movies should I watch if I only care about the canon story?
You should focus on the films released under the Dragon Ball Super banner as these are written by the original creator. These movies continue the main narrative after the final battle with Kid Buu in Dragon Ball Z episode 286, Spirit Bomb Triumphant. If you want to streamline your experience further, check out our Dragon Ball Z filler guide to see which TV episodes are essential.
