A poster with Goku and all of the main appearing movie villains in DBZ films 1-13

The Dragon Ball films are animated and live-action films made based on the Dragon Ball manga and its four animated TV series, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball GT.

The 18 movies

All Dragon Ball movies were originally released in theaters in Japan, typically when the vast majority of Japanese school children are on spring and summer vacations in March and July, although it pairs up with a Dr. Slump movie, usually 60 minutes long. All of the movies have been released in the United States, and are usually released under a shorter title. Akira Toriyama, the artist who created the franchise, had little to do with the movies past some of the character designs.[citation needed] However, he is listed as the creator of the movies in the credits. In Daizenshuu 6 (released in 1995), Akira Toriyama stated that he considers the movies to be stories in a "different dimension" than the main story of the manga he created.[1] Daizenshuu 7 lists only Dead Zone and Cooler's Revenge in the main timeline.

For the original sixteen films, it took three months to create each film.[2]

Japanese title: "The Legend of Shen Long" FUNimation title: "Curse of the Blood Rubies" UK Title: "The Legend Of Shenron"

Premiering on December 20, 1986, this film features an alternate scenario to the Emperor Pilaf Saga, set in a parallel world.

Japanese title: "Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle" FUNimation title: "Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle" UK Title: "Sleeping Beauty in Devil Castle"

Premiering on July 18, 1987, this film features an extended version of the story of how Goku and Krillin began their training with Master Roshi.

Japanese title: "Mystical Great Adventure" FUNimation title: "Mystical Adventure" UK title: "Mystical Adventure"

Premiering on July 9, 1988, this film features an alternate scenario to the Tien Shinhan Saga, set in a parallel world.

Japanese title: "The Path to Ultimate Strength" FUNimation title: "The Path to Power"

Premiering on March 4, 1996, this film is an altered re-telling of the Red Ribbon Army Saga.

Japanese title: "Dragon Ball Z" FUNimation title: "Dead Zone" UK title: "In Pursuit of Garlic"

Premiering on July 15, 1989, taking place after the end of Dragon Ball but before the start of Dragon Ball Z, this movie introduces the antagonistic Makyan race led by Garlic Jr. - who would return in the filler Garlic Jr. Saga.

Japanese title: "The World's Strongest Guy" FUNimation title: "The World's Strongest" UK title: "The Strongest Guy in the World"

Premiering on March 10, 1990, taking place after the Attack of the Saiyans but before the Battle on Planet Namek, this film featured Dr. Wheelo attempting to obtain Goku's body for himself.

Japanese title: "Super Showdown for the Whole Earth" FUNimation title: "The Tree of Might" UK title: "Super Battle in the World"

Premiering on July 7, 1990, set during the Battle on Planet Namek, this movie featured the renegade Saiyan Turles attempting to use Earth to grow the Tree of Might, so he could eat its fruit and become the strongest in the universe.

Japanese title: "Super Saiyan Son Gokū" FUNimation title: "Lord Slug" UK title: "Super Saiya Son Goku"

Premiering on March 9, 1991, and also set during the Battle on Planet Namek, this movie featured the evil Super Namekian Lord Slug, who aimed to reclaim his youth and convert Earth into a vehicle.

Japanese title: "The Incredible Mightiest vs. Mightiest" FUNimation title: "Cooler's Revenge" UK title: "Super Rivals"

Premiering on July 20, 1991, set after the Battle on Planet Namek but before the Android conflict. This movie debuted Frieza's brother Cooler, who attacked Earth to try and get revenge for his brother's death.

Japanese title: "Clash!! 10 Billion Power Warriors" FUNimation title: "The Return of Cooler" UK title: "Fight! 10 Billion Power Warriors"

Premiering on March 7, 1992, set after the Battle on Planet Namek but before the Android conflict. Cooler returns after having merged with the Big Gete Star and attacks New Namek.

Japanese title: "Extreme Battle!! The Three Great Super Saiyans" FUNimation title: "Super Android 13!" UK title: "Super Battle of the Three Super Saiyans"

Premiering on July 11, 1992, set during the Android conflict in a parallel world this movie sees the debut of three androids who were destroyed in the main timeline as they attempt to fulfill their objective of killing Goku.

Japanese title: "Burn Up!! Hot Fight! Fierce Fight! Super Violent Fight!" FUNimation title: "Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan" UK title: "The Burning Battles"

Premiering on March 6, 1993, set during the break before the Cell Games, this movie introduced Broly the Legendary Super Saiyan and the Z Fighters first conflict with him.

Japanese title: "The Galaxy at the Brink!! The Super Incredible Guy" FUNimation title: "Bojack Unbound" UK title: "Super Guy in the Galaxy"

Premiering on July 10, 1993, set shortly after the Cell Games, this movie features the Galaxy Soldiers attacking Earth, with Goku dead, it is up to Gohan to step up and stop them.

Japanese title: "The Dangerous Duo! Super-Warriors Can Not Rest" FUNimation title: "Broly - Second Coming"

Premiering on March 12, 1994, set early during the Majin Buu Conflict, this film features Broly appearing once more and battling the Z Fighters again.

Japanese title: "Super-Warrior Defeat!! I'm the One who'll Win" FUNimation title: "Bio-Broly"

Premiering on July 9, 1994, set during the Majin Buu Conflict, this film features the clone of Broly: Bio-Broly, who is encountered by Goten and Trunks

Japanese title: "The Rebirth of Fusion!! Goku and Vegeta" FUNimation title: "Fusion Reborn"

Premiering on March 4, 1995, set during the Majin Buu Conflict, this film introduces Goku and Vegeta's Fusion Dance self: Gogeta to defeat Janemba - who has been causing trouble in the Other World.

Japanese title: "Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won't Do It, Who Will?" FUNimation title: "Wrath of the Dragon"

Premiering on July 15, 1995, set after the Majin Buu Conflict, this film shows the conflict between Tapion and Hirudegarn, with the Z Fighters aiding in bringing it to a close.

Japanese title: "Kami to Kami" FUNimation title: "Battle of Gods"

Premiering on March 30, 2013 and effectively jump-starting a new era of Dragon Ball, this film is one of the two which make up the Gods of the Universe Saga. The movie introduces God of Destruction Beerus, whom Goku must become a Super Saiyan God to battle. It was later adapted into the God of Destruction Beerus Saga.

Japanese title: "Fukkatsu no F" FUNimation title: "Resurrection ‘F’"

Premiering on February 21, 2015 as the second part of the Gods of the Universe Saga, this movie features the return of Frieza, who attacks Earth as Golden Frieza and battles Goku and Vegeta in their new Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan forms. It was later adapted into the Golden Frieza Saga.

Japanese title: "Burorī" Funimation title: "Broly" Premiering on December 14, 2018, this film is set after the Tournament of Power and introduces Broly and Gogeta into the main Dragon Ball story.

Main article: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Toei Animation announced on May 9, 2021, that a new movie taking place in the Dragon Ball Super timeline was in development.[3] The movie features Akira Toriyama as lead writer and character designer and claimed that it would feature "an unexpected character"[4]. The film was originally planned to release on April 22, 2022, but due to a cyber-attack it did not release until June 11, of that same year. The film focuses on Gohan and Piccolo battling the returning Red Ribbon Army and their three new androids.

Japanese title: "Dragon Ball Z: Tatta Hitori no Saishū Kessen ～Freeza ni Idonda Zetto Senshi Son Gokū no Chichi" FUNimation title: "Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku" UK title: "The Father of Goku"

Japanese title: "Kyokugen Batoru! ! San Dai Chō Saiyahito Supesharu"

Japanese title: "Dragon Ball Z: Zetsubō e no Hankō!! Nokosareta Chō-Senshi Gohan to Trunks" FUNimation title: "Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks" UK title: "Gohan & Trunks"

Japanese title: "Zenbu Misemasu Toshi Wasure Doragon Boru Zetto!"

Japanese title: "Dori-mu 9 Toriko & Wan Pi-su & Doragonbo-ru Z chō Korabo Supesharu!!"

Japanese title: "Gokū Gaiden! Yūki no Akashi wa Si Xing Qiu" FUNimation title: "A Hero's Legacy"

Set 100 years after the Baby Saga in Dragon Ball GT, this film surrounds Goku Jr. searching for the 4-star Dragon Ball to help his grandmother, an old-aged Pan, recover from an illness.

Japanese title: "Korezo zen uchū ichi no kyūkyoku batoru! Son Gokū bāsasu Jiren!!"

FUNimation title: "This is the Ultimate Battle in all the Universes! Son Goku vs Jiren!!"

As part of Episode 109 and 110, it was aired as a 1-hour special to promote the debut of Ultra Instinct Sign.

Japanese title: "Efu Enu Esu Nijyūnana Jikan Terebi Nihon No Rekishi"

Japanese title: "Doragonbōru no chokuzen sūpā eiga debyū! Terebibangu no kuraimakkusu o furikaette!!"

FUNimation title: "Right Before the Dragon Ball Super Movie Debuts! Looking Back on the TV Show's Climax"

Japanese title: "Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku" English translation: "Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans" 2010 Remake Title: "Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans"

Two OVA, the original released in 1993, and the shorter remake released in 2010. They are both part of the overall Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans series.

Japanese title: "Doragon Bōru Ossu! Kaette Kita Son Gokū to Nakama-tachi!!" English translation: "Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends!"

Japanese title: "Doragon Bōru: Episōdo o Bādokku" English translation: "Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock"

Japanese title: "Gokuu no Koutsuu Anzen" English translation: "Goku's Traffic Safety"

Japanese title: "Gokuu no Shoubou-tai" English translation: "Goku's Fire Brigade"

An cinematic attraction that debuted at Universal Studios Japan. It primarily depicts a CG animation of Goku vs. Frieza, presented as a 4D attraction. The event was held from July 1 to September 4.

A cinematic attraction at Universal Studios Japan and the successor to Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D. Like its predecessor, it is a new installment in the Dragon Ball series, this time primarily featuring the face off between Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta against Broly God.

An American film made in 2009, combining elements of the Emperor Pilaf Saga with the King Piccolo Saga, and putting the story in a more real world perspective.