I Loved Dragon Ball Z As A Kid. Now, I Can Finally Stream All The Shows And Movies (in Order)

My anime experience began with the first episode of Sailor Moon. But Dragon Ball Z on Cartoon Network is the first TV show I remember watching religiously, and the only one I ever demanded that my parents tape for me if I wasn’t going to be home after school. If you’re a fan of action anime, chances are you’ve seen the show at some point in your life. If not, you owe the success of Naruto and One Piece to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball franchise.

I can’t overstate the cultural moment this show touched off for me, and other young kids, when the show debuted in the mid-90s. Now, it feels like every anime has signature techniques, a rival character like Vegeta, and unlockable power-ups. However, despite being one of the longest-running anime franchises, easy access to the full library is difficult to find on streaming services.

The Dragon Ball media empire has spawned five anime series, multiple Original Video Animations (OVAs), over 20 films, countless video games, and even a live action film (that we all wish we could forget). Some of it is streaming on Crunchyroll or Hulu, but not everything is readily watchable (or even available in English, if you prefer the dubs). And if you want to watch everything in order? Get ready to do some home work. Here’s how I plan to watch it all.

Where to Watch Dragon Ball, Z, GT, Super, and Daima

The core Dragon Ball experience centers around its five main anime series. While Dragon Ball Z debuted in the US first, the series begins with Dragon Ball. A sequel series, Dragon Ball GT, was produced soon after but only received minimal input from Toriyama, so it’s now considered (at least partially) non-canon. After nearly 20 years, Dragon Ball Super returned the franchise to form, followed by Dragon Ball Daima. If you just want to watch the shows, here’s where you can find them:

Goku Confronts King Piccolo in Dragon Ball (Credit: Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball

The anime that started it all, Dragon Ball centers around Goku, a young boy with a tail, and his quest to gather the legendary Dragon Balls. Along the way, he befriends Bulma, trains under Master Roshi, fights the Red Ribbon Army, and is threatened by the evil King Piccolo. I finally watched this years after my DBZ obsession ended. It’s a definitely more light-hearted and fun, but worth your time.

Dragon Ball Z

DBZ sees a grown-up Goku learn about his true nature as a Saiyan with impossible powers. He blossoms into fatherhood, fights aliens, androids, and demons, and still manages to turn enemies into allies. It’s been years since I last saw this show, and I think it’s time for a re-watch. A streamlined version of the show, called Dragon Ball Z Kai, was also released, and eliminates a lot of the filler content. I may be too much of a purest to check it out, but your mileage may vary!

Goku forms a Spirit Bomb in Dragon Ball Z (Credit: Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball GT

In Dragon Ball GT, Goku is accidentally turned back into a child, setting off an adventure across the universe to collect the dangerous Black Star Dragon Balls, fighting aliens, androids, and evil dragons along the way. I saw some of this on TV back in the day; it’s definitely more like Dragon Ball than Z, but does have its moments.

Dragon Ball Super

Toriyama returned to the series with Dragon Ball Super, set before the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z. It features Goku and Vegeta unlocking godlike powers, fighting a resurrected Frieza, and facing alternative universes and timelines. I haven’t been able to watch much of it yet, but I’d like to get to it once I’ve gone through the rest of the series.

Dragon Ball Daima

Set before the events of Super, Daima sees Goku and his friends transformed into children as part of a plot by Gomah to take over the Demon Realm. I’ve been waiting for the dub version to be more widely available before jumping into this one. Again, the young Goku harkens back to Dragon Ball, and maybe remakes some of GT, but I’ve heard good things.

Gokus tests his new body in Daima (Credit: Toei Animation)

Where to Watch the Dragon Ball Movies, TV Specials, OVAs

In addition to the shows, there have been over 20 animated films produced between 1986 and 2022. Many of them are either retellings of the series or fall vaguely in between certain events but aren’t really considered canon. Newer productions, like Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, have been adapted into Dragon Ball Super episodes, while Broly and Super Hero serve as true continuations of the story. Here’s where you can watch the films:

Dragon Ball Films

Goku fights Tao in Mystical Adventure (Credit: Toei Animation)

Curse of the Blood Rubies: Retelling the initial storyline of the Dragon Ball anime, the movie shows how Goku met Bulma, Yamcha, and Master Roshi, and fought a new character named King Gurumes, during his search for the Dragon Balls.

Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle: Set during the time Goku and Krillin trained under Master Roshi, this movie sees the Turtle Hermit send the boys out on a mission to save a beautiful princess from Lucifer’s castle.

Mystical Adventure: Mystical Adventure combined elements from the Red Ribbon Army and 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament arcs of the Dragon Ball manga to create a retelling of the story as a movie.

The Path to Power: To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Dragon Ball franchise, The Path to Power is a retelling of the anime and depicts how Goku came to meet Bulma, Master Roshi, and Yamcha, while fighting the Red Ribbon Army.

Dragon Ball Z Films

The Dead Zone: Set between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, The Dead Zone features rivals Goku and Piccolo working together in order to defeat Garlic Jr. and his henchmen. This one was always broadcast on Cartoon Network back in the day. While there’s some inconsistencies with the show, it’s a solid watch.

The World’s Strongest: Goku, Piccolo, Krillin, Gohan, and Master Roshi must defeat a mad scientist bent on taking over the body of the strongest fighter in the world. It’s not my favorite one of these, but again, I have fond memories of watching it on TV constantly.

Earth’s heroes in The Tree of Might (Credit: Toei Animation)

The Tree of Might: Goku and his friends must defeat a Saiyan space pirate after he plants the Tree of Might on Earth in an effort to gain tremendous power at the cost of the planet. Of the DBZ films I’ve seen, this one might be my favorite. It’s a solid action flick and adding a bad guy that looks exactly like Goku felt so cool.

Lord Slug: When Earth is invaded by a Namekian warrior and his army, Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin must fight back and save the planet from conquest.

Cooler’s Revenge: Following Frieza’s defeat at the hands of Goku, his brother Cooler comes to Earth looking for revenge. While most films don’t easily fit into the show’s timeline, this is the rare entry that seems to fit perfectly in place (even if it still doesn’t really count).

Return of Cooler: Cooler returns in this direct sequel, but now he’s powered by nanotechnology and an army of robotic Meta-Coolers. Goku and Vegeta must work together to beat back the threat.

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Super Android 13!: Immediately following Dr. Gero’s death during the Android Saga in Dragon Ball Z, Android 13, 14, and 15 are activated, and only Goku, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Piccolo can stop them.

Goku, Gohan, and Goten in Broly – Second Coming (Credit: Toei Animation)

Broly, The Legendary Super Saiyan: Goku, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Piccolo travel to New Vegeta and meet the Legendary Super Saiyan Broly, who is out of control and more powerful than all of them. The Broly character was maybe the coolest thing the franchise ever invented. I never saw these movies, but I do have a Super Saiyan Broly action figure that I loved dearly.

Bojack Unbound: In the aftermath of the Cell Games, the galactic warlord Bojack is freed from his prison. With Goku still in Other World, it’s up to Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta to stop the attack.

Broly – Second Coming: Broly survived the fight on New Vegeta and managed to find his way to Earth. With Goku gone, it comes down to Gohan, Trunks, and Goten to take on the most powerful Saiyan of all.

Bio-Broly: When Mr. Satan, Android 18, Goten, and Trunks attend a martial arts tournament on a remote island, they discover that Broly has been cloned. When the monster escapes, they will have to fight to survive the onslaught.

Fusion Reborn: When the demon Janemba escapes Other World, the barrier between the living and the dead falls. Goku and Vegeta must work together to defeat the demon while Earth’s heroes defend against a siege from Dragon Ball Z‘s greatest villains.

Gogeta in Fusion Reborn (Credit: Toei Animation)

Wrath of the Dragon: Set after the defeat of Majin Buu, a mysterious sorcerer tricks the heroes into freeing the monster Hirudegarn. In order to save the day, Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Goten, and Trunks must help the warrior Tapion claim his destiny. My love for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time always made this one intriguing, since Tapion looked liek the spitting image of Link.

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TV Specials and OVAs

Bardock – The Father of Goku: Serving as a prequel to the series, The Father of Goku follows Bardock through the final days of Planet Vegeta before it was destroyed by Frieza. I always appreciated how closely the story of Bardock, Goku, and the Saiyans mirrored the origins of Superman.

The History of Trunks: The special tells the story of Future Trunks before he travels back in time to the show’s main timeline. In his time, Gohan trains Trunks to stand against Androids 17 and 18 after all of Earth’s heroes are defeated in battle. You have to understand: Back in the ’90s, Future Trunks was the coolest character on television. His backstory is the kind of apocalyptic alternate reality tale that I still love to this day.

A Hero’s Legacy: Set 100 years after Dragon Ball GT, all of Earth’s heroes are gone. An elderly Pan now trains Goku’s descendant Goku Jr., though the young boy lacks the confidence of his ancestor.

Vegeta’s brother Tarble from The Return of Son Goku and Friends! (Credit: Toei Animation)

Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!: Set two years after the defeat of Majin Buu, Goku and his friends are visited by Vegeta’s younger brother Tarble, asking for help in dealing with the remnants of Frieza’s army. You’ll need to dig deep in order to find a stream of this special.

Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans: When a mad scientist seeks revenge against the last of the Saiyan race, Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Piccolo must fight off the greatest villains of their past to save the Earth from destruction.

Episode of Bardock: In this alternate history sequel to The Father of Goku, Bardock survives the destruction of Planet Vegeta and is sent into the past where he fights an ancestor of Frieza.

Bardock fights Cabira in Episode of Bardock (Credit: Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball Super Films

Battle of Gods: Earth’s heroes are put to the test when Beerus, the God of Destruction, goes looking for a challenging fight. Goku must summon the power of a Super Saiyan God in order to even stand a chance and save the planet. The movie was later adapted into Dragon Ball Super.

Resurrection F: When Frieza is resurrected and becomes more powerful than ever, Goku and Vegeta must return to Earth and save their friends. Will their newfound strength be enough to save the day against Dragon Ball’s greatest villain? The movie was later adapted into Dragon Ball Super.

Broly: Set after the events of the Dragon Ball Super anime, this movie brings Broly into the franchise’s main canon. In an effort to finally kill Goku and Vegeta, a resurrected Frieza manipulates the powerful Broly into a confrontation with his fellow Saiyans.

Super Hero: While Goku, Vegeta, and Broly are away training, Gohan and Piccolo must contend with a resurgent Red Ribbon Army, and their android creations Gamma 1, Gamma 2, and Cell Max.

Broly fights Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Credit: Toei Animation)

How to Watch Dragon Ball in Order

For much of its existence, the Dragon Ball franchise was a fairly linear experience—just watch Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z, and finish with Dragon Ball GT. However, in the last decade, things have become a lot more complicated. Dragon Ball Super actually takes place before the end of the Dragon Ball Z anime. And Dragon Ball Daima? It’s set before Super. And now the newer movies are considered canon. If you want to make it even harder, there are TV specials to slot in as well.

While the movies are mostly non-canon and can be watched in any order, you could also plug many of them in between certain episodes—as long as you’re ok with a few incongruities. I’d watch them independently of any watch order, just to make things less complicated, but the choice is yours. My plan is to watch everything in release order when I next get the chance, but if you’re looking to go absolutely freak mode here, I have a recommended timeline. Keep in mind that anything indented is completely optional, so do whatever gets your spirit energy up!

Goku picks up Bulma’s car in Dragon Ball (Credit: Toei Animation)

Pilaf Saga (Episodes 1-13 of Dragon Ball)
Tournament Saga (Episodes 14–28 of Dragon Ball)
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (set during Goku and Krillin’s training)
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (a retelling of the previous arc)
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (a retelling of the previous arcs)
Red Ribbon Army Saga (Episodes 29–45 of Dragon Ball)
General Blue Saga (Episodes 46–57 of Dragon Ball)
Commander Red Saga (Episodes 58–67 of Dragon Ball)
Fortuneteller Baba Saga (Episodes 68–83 of Dragon Ball)
Tien Shinhan Saga (Episodes 84–101 of Dragon Ball)

King Piccolo powers up in Dragon Ball (Credit: Toei Animation)

King Piccolo Saga (Episodes 102–122 of Dragon Ball)
Piccolo Jr. Saga (Episodes 123–153 of Dragon Ball)
Raditz Saga (Episodes 1–6 of Dragon Ball Z)
Vegeta Saga (Episodes 7-35 of Dragon Ball Z)
Namek Saga (Episodes 36–67 of Dragon Ball Z)
- The World’s Strongest (released between episodes 39 to 40)
- The Tree of Might (released between episodes 54 and 55)
- Bardock – The Father of Goku (set between episodes 63 and 64)
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (set after Father of Goku)
Captain Ginyu Saga (Episodes 68–74 of Dragon Ball Z)
Frieza Saga (Episodes 75–107 of Dragon Ball Z)

Goku fighting Frieza in Dragon Ball Z (Credit: Toei Animation)

Garlic Jr. Saga (Episodes 108–117 of Dragon Ball Z)
Trunks Saga (Episodes 118–125 of Dragon Ball Z)
Androids Saga (Episodes 126–139 of Dragon Ball Z)
Imperfect Cell Saga (Episodes 140–152 of Dragon Ball Z)
Perfect Cell Saga (Episodes 153–165 of Dragon Ball Z)
Cell Games Saga (Episodes 166–194 of Dragon Ball Z)
- The History of Trunk (set between episodes 175 and 176)
- Broly, The Legendary Super Saiyan (released between episodes 176 and 177)
- Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (set before the start of the Cell Games)
- Bojack Unbound (Set after Cell is defeated)

(Credit: Toei Animation)

Other World Saga (Episodes 195-199 of Dragon Ball Z)
Great Saiyaman Saga (Episodes 200–209 of Dragon Ball Z)
World Tournament Saga (Episodes 210–219 of Dragon Ball Z)
Babidi Saga (Episodes 220–231 of Dragon Ball Z)
Majin Buu Saga (Episodes 232–253 of Dragon Ball Z)
Fusion Saga (Episodes 254–275 of Dragon Ball Z)
Kid Buu Saga (Episodes 276–287 of Dragon Ball Z)

Goku and friends fly away in Dragon Ball Daima (Credit: Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball Daima (Episodes 1-20)
God of Destruction Beerus Saga (Episodes 1-15 of Dragon Ball Super; adapted from Battle of Gods)
Golden Frieza Saga (Episodes 16-27 of Dragon Ball Super; adapted from Resurrection F)
Universe 6 Saga (Episodes 28-41 of Dragon Ball Super)
“Future” Trunks Saga (Episodes 42-76 of Dragon Ball Super)
Universe Survival Saga (Episodes 77-131 of Dragon Ball Super)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (set after Dragon Ball Super)
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (set after Dragon Ball Super: Broly)

Super Saiyan God Goku faces off against Beerus in Battle of Gods (Credit: Toei Animation)

Peaceful World Saga (Episodes 288–291 of Dragon Ball Z)
Black Star Dragon Ball Saga (Episodes 1-16 of Dragon Ball GT)
Baby Saga (Episodes 17-40 of Dragon Ball GT)
Super 17 Saga (Episodes 41-47 of Dragon Ball GT)
Shadow Dragon Saga (Episodes 48-64 of Dragon Ball GT)

(Credit: Toei Animation)

I Loved Dragon Ball Z As a Kid. Now, I Can Finally Stream All the Shows and Movies (in Order)