Dragon Ball is a franchise that seems to have been running as long as time itself – okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s been going for an awfully long time. Starting out as a manga in 1984, it only took a year before it moved toward the small screen and has been running ever since in some capacity or another. We all love the many sagas the series has produced, where some of the most memorable villains and moments stick in our minds forever. But there have also been 20 films (with another one on the way soon) that have filtered themselves into the story throughout the years, and some just being straight-up standalone. That got us thinking, could we whittle that down to a top 10? So, here is our list of the top 10 Dragon Ball movies of all time.
10. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
The first on this top 10 list of the greatest Dragon Ball movies might just be one of the most memorable in the franchise as well. First released in 1993, Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan was the first introduction to the evil, muscle-bound Saiyan that has become a huge fan favorite. The animation is superb, the fight scenes are cinematic, and the film possesses a wonderfully intense aura that delivers at being dark and mysterious. And yet, with all those great qualities it carries, the story of this non-canon film is truly, to put it simply… plain and unimaginative. We are to believe that Broly carries a grudge so big that he wants to destroy a world and everyone in it because Goku cried too much as a kid? It is positive to see that they did create better origin stories in the years to come anyway.
9. Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13
The next film on this top 10 list is a film from 1992 that aimed to be the first to represent the true power of the Androids; you could say it was a warm-up for the real show that we saw in the saga just a couple of years later. However, this was a great filler film that had a variety of interesting aspects: a memorable orange-haired blue-skinned villain, once again portraying the power of absorption, as well as a story of revenge and justice that stretches back to the days of the red ribbon army, offering a nostalgic taste to the original Dragon Ball series. Android 13 was a stereotypical Southern talking white American, with a trucker hat and all, who soon turns into a hulking beast of a foe that forces the Z Fighters to their very limits in an epic showdown.
8. Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
There is no doubt that Cooler is one of the most interesting villains in the series, way cooler (sorry) than his brother Frieza, and he possesses that black sheep aura that forgotten siblings often carry around with them as a trait. This 1992 follow-up from the first film saw the return of Cooler with an all-new metallic form that shined brighter than Krillin’s bald head. Cooler (who was presumed dead) invades the Planet Namek with an army of robots, and it is up to Goku and the gang to save the day once again. Looking back at this slick new form of Coolers, it does evoke similarities to the Golden Frieza form that his brother currently uses, so once again, Frieza is trying to emulate his superior older brother.
7. Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Now, this is the first Cooler film and the fifth film overall. It is Cooler’s first appearance, and in it, he seeks revenge for the death of his brother (even though he hated his younger sibling) at the hands of Goku and tries to destroy Earth in the process – some things never change with these villains. The film resulted in some great fight scenes, Piccolo – who has become such a hindrance – transformed into a relevant fighter with much to offer, and a final showdown between two foes who have a mysterious connection with one another – Cooler actually prevented Goku’s death when he fled Planet Vegeta as an infant all those years ago, it certainly came back to bite him, didn’t it?
6. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
The long-awaited return of Frieza was one worth waiting for as Goku’s greatest enemy came back with a vengeance, a golden one. Originally released in 2015, it saw two of Frieza’s henchmen visiting Earth with the intention of resurrecting their former leader, who then proceeds to train for the first time in his life so he can attain a new form and match up with the constantly improving Goku. There is a fascination people have with Frieza that made his return that little bit more thrilling, and fans weren’t disappointed as the villain went toe to toe with Goku and Vegeta in a battle for the ages. The success of this film has also allowed Frieza to become a key figure in the Super Saga and aid his former foes – who would have seen that coming then?
5. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
The first film for the new era of Dragon Ball introduced us to new animation, brand-new characters, and a new storyline that would carry the series to a new interdimensional and interworld chapter. It also introduced fans to the exciting and well-celebrated duo Whis and Beerus – they are like a comedy double act, one being the straight and one being the goofball. Released in 2013, this was a great film to kick off the new era, exploring new transformations that would eventually keep on evolving. This evoked quite a serious tone whilst also keeping that comedic tone that the franchise is known for and an invigorating new storyline that led to one of the greatest narratives of the entire series. Overall, a great new beginning started with this film, and it deserves to be in the middle of this top 10 list.
4. Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
The Wrath of the Dragon was quite different from any of the other Dragon Ball movies in the series; there was a mythical and spiritual feeling surrounding this film, letting someone other than a Saiyan take center stage for once. Set after the events of Kid Buu, this film shows an evil magician releasing a gigantic monster from a magic box, and setting it on a city. But that box also releases a sword-wielding hero called Tapion, whose job was to defeat the monster and keep it at bay for so long. This also became the origin story of how Trunks came upon his famous sword after striking up a bond with the mythical hero. The film has spiritual and heartfelt messages, and the action scenes were brilliant as well. So, what is sometimes seen as a forgotten film is also one of the best.
3. Dragon Ball Super: Broly
The latest film to be released was back in 2018, straight after the events of The Tournament of Power, and with Earth seemingly back to normal once again – oh, how wrong they were. Broly was back, and this representation of the hulking Saiyan was the best of the lot. It came with a far more interesting origin story, which also resulted in a great little twist. The action scenes were phenomenal, and Frieza and Broly came face to face for the first time, which resulted in a very tasty beating for the golden man-baby. The story itself is just far more engaging and believable compared to the one from 1993, with the narrative exploring the origins of the Saiyan race and the three primary Saiyan’s too. Dragon Ball Super Hero has a lot to live up to, that’s all we’re saying.
2. Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Without a doubt, one of the best Dragon Ball movies is Bojack Unbound. It basically had everything you could ever want from a film in this series. Bojack Unbound takes place after the Cell Games, and Earth’s surviving warriors fight in an intergalactic martial arts tournament. The contest is interrupted by alien pirates led by Bojack, a dangerous figure imprisoned in a star, years after the Kai’s, and soon begins his mission of chaos. Again, this film was different from the rest, introducing a new and mysterious villain, and letting the other non-Goku fighters take the lead. But ultimately, this is another win for Gohan, who at the time was the most interesting character in the series – oh so much has changed for poor Gohan.
1. Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
A controversial choice to rule this top 10 list, but Fusion Reborn is a phenomenal Dragon Ball movie. The film is set in Other World around the time of Buu Saga (how did they find the time) and introduces two new characters who were both brilliant in different ways. The evil Satan-like Janemba is undoubtedly one of the greatest villains in the franchise. He is powerful, and with an exceptional design, it is a shame that this is his only appearance in the series… so far. The film also allows the recently introduced Pikkon to take up more of a significant role (although he is quickly dispersed by this fantastical villain). However, it also marked the debut of Gogeta, one of the all-powerful fusion characters that appear in the series, and it was as epic as anything seen so far in the show. Although a brief film (50 minutes or so), this is a one-of-a-kind Dragon Ball movie and fully deserving the top spot in this top 10 list.
