Top 10 Dragon Ball Z Movies

The movies set in the world of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ pack tight stories around familiar characters and power ups, often fitting between major arcs from the show. They introduce original villains, alternate takes on transformations, and side characters who only appear in these theatrical adventures. Many of them were released alongside seasonal events in Japan and were designed to be watched as self contained stories.

This list rounds up ten films that fans return to for their action heavy plots, clean timelines, and memorable antagonists. Each entry below notes where it fits in the series continuity, who shows up to fight, and what new elements it adds to the broader ‘Dragon Ball’ universe so you can pick the right one for your next watch.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone’ (1989)

Toei Animation

This story is set shortly before the Saiyan Saga and introduces Garlic Jr., who seeks eternal life using the Dragon Balls. Gohan is kidnapped, Piccolo is incapacitated early, and Goku confronts Garlic Jr. inside the fortress that houses the Dead Zone, a void that traps anything pulled into it.

The film shows Gohan’s latent power in an early outburst that disrupts the climactic battle. ‘Dead Zone’ also explains why Garlic Jr. later appears in the television filler arc with the same name, since the villain survives by retreating into the Dead Zone rather than being defeated by raw force.

‘Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest’ (1990)

Toei Company

Dr. Kochin revives the brain of Dr. Wheelo, a scientist who wants the body of the world’s strongest fighter. Misled by outdated data, they target Master Roshi before turning their attention to Goku, while Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin become embroiled in the rescue.

The film features battles in a snowbound laboratory and showcases bio warriors and mecha designs tied to Wheelo’s experiments. ‘The World’s Strongest’ places Piccolo under mind control for part of the runtime, creating a brief hero versus hero bout before the team shifts to stop Wheelo’s giant mechanized form.

‘Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might’ (1990)

Toei Animation

A Saiyan named Turles plants the Tree of Might on Earth, a parasitic tree that drains the planet’s energy to bear fruit that boosts the eater’s power. The Z Fighters spread out to cut the roots while Goku faces Turles, who commands the Crusher Corps with attacks seen across multiple locations.

The film includes the Earth defense angle as fires and environmental damage escalate from the tree’s spread. ‘The Tree of Might’ ties Turles to Saiyan heritage with a resemblance to Goku explained by low class Saiyan lineages, and it highlights the fruit of the tree as a temporary power amplifier during the final confrontation.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge’ (1991)

Toei Animation

Cooler arrives on Earth after learning about Frieza’s defeat and investigates the Saiyan responsible. The battles move from the skies to a forested region where Goku protects Gohan and friends while confronting Cooler’s squadron, culminating in a high altitude clash.

The movie adds Cooler’s transformation beyond Frieza’s known forms, establishing a distinct armored final state. ‘Cooler’s Revenge’ sits after the Namek events in broad continuity and shows how news of Frieza’s fate travels within that ruling family, setting up Cooler as a separate antagonist with his own command structure.

‘Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler’ (1992)

Toei Company

Following the events with Cooler, the Z Fighters respond to distress on New Namek, where a massive machine planet entity has taken root. Cooler reappears in a mechanized form linked to the Big Gete Star, which replicates parts and absorbs energy from opponents.

The action features team based infiltration and a two stage confrontation against mass produced Metal Coolers. ‘The Return of Cooler’ expands on artificial energy absorption and shows Vegeta and Goku forced into coordinated attacks, while the Namekians’ displacement provides the setting for large scale mechanical environments.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!’ (1992)

Toei Animation

After the Red Ribbon remnants’ computer activates, Androids 13, 14, and 15 target Goku during a routine day in the city. The fight relocates to a remote icy area where the trio press the heroes and the components from 14 and 15 later merge to power up 13.

The film applies the Red Ribbon storyline beyond the main series by depicting an automated system continuing Dr. Gero’s directives. ‘Super Android 13!’ emphasizes energy absorption and mechanical augmentation, and it gives Trunks and Vegeta prominent roles in dismantling the earlier androids before the final form emerges.

‘Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan’ (1993)

Toei Company

Paragus invites Vegeta to witness the rise of a new Saiyan empire, concealing Broly’s unstable power. Goku, Gohan, Trunks, and others arrive on a doomed planet where Broly’s legendary transformation endangers allies and enemies as control devices begin to fail.

The film introduces the Legendary Super Saiyan concept with a distinct visual style for Broly’s form and an energy output that reshapes battlefields. ‘Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan’ connects Broly’s rage to an origin on the day of Planet Vegeta’s destruction and uses a remote control crown as a plot device to manage his surges.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound’ (1993)

Toei Animation

A galaxy wide martial arts tournament aboard a corporation’s space arena becomes a trap when Bojack and his crew break free from a seal. The event format pairs fighters across different zones, leading to isolated matchups where Gohan takes center stage as the situation deteriorates.

The film builds on King Kai’s earlier sealing of Bojack, which is undone by collateral damage from battles in the series. ‘Bojack Unbound’ highlights multi enemy coordination with unique abilities for Bido, Bujin, Zangya, and Kogu, and it places Gohan’s transformation at the heart of stopping Bojack’s attempt to overrun Earth.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn’ (1995)

Toei Company

An accident in the Other World transforms a teenager working at a spirit cleansing station into Janemba, whose powers distort reality. Goku and Pikkon engage Janemba across surreal arenas while Earth experiences dimensional rifts that release past villains into the living world.

The film centers on the Metamoran fusion technique as Goku and Vegeta combine to counter Janemba’s evolved form. ‘Fusion Reborn’ also uses Pikkon’s role to pressure the barrier around King Yemma’s office, which affects the flow of souls and sets the stage for order to be restored once Janemba is defeated.

‘Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon’ (1995)

Toei Company

Trunks receives a mysterious music box that can only be opened with Dragon Balls, releasing the hero Tapion who carries a sealed monster. The creature Hirudegarn materializes in stages across a city as the seal weakens, drawing the Z Fighters into an urban defense.

The movie introduces the Brave Sword and Ocarina as sealing tools, with Tapion connected to a split containment shared with his brother Minotia. ‘Wrath of the Dragon’ features a citywide evacuation, large scale collateral stakes, and a final technique reveal that resolves Hirudegarn’s rampage while giving Trunks a tangible keepsake.

Share your favorite ‘Dragon Ball Z’ movie moments in the comments and tell us which battles you revisit most.