Created by Japenese artist Akira Toriyama in 1984, Dragon Ball originally started out as a Manga comic and was adapted in 1986 for the screen as a TV series. It tells the story of a stranded alien baby boy named Son Goku, who is found and adopted by an old martial arts expert. After losing his adoptee grandfather, Goku and his newfound friends set out on an adventure to search for seven magical Dragon Balls, which have the power to summon a wish-granting super dragon.

Following DB’s massive success, the show received multiple continuations as Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super, which all follow the Z fighters’ adventures as adults battling monstrous villains on Earth and beyond. In addition, Dragon Ball boasts a whopping 21 animated feature films, the latest being Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. In this article, we revisit 8 Dragon Ball animated movies that house the biggest and baddest battles between the Z fighters and their enemies.

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8 The World’s Strongest

Released in 1990, The World’s Strongest is the second animated movie set in the Dragon Ball Z timeline. It follows the Z fighters as they encounter two hellish scientists on a quest to take over the world. They are elderly madman Dr. Kochin, and Dr. Wheelo – a brain nested in an android super machine looking to take control of Goku’s body.

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This tension-filled adventure flick includes several super fights to remember, including Master Roshi vs the Bio fighters, Piccolo (under the control of the scientists) vs Goku, Goku vs the scientists’ main goons (green and pink), and the united Z team against Dr. Wheelo – the gigantic super robot.

7 Resurrection F

The release of Resurrection F was one of the most anticipated Dragon Ball movies in history due to the return of everyone’s favorite supervillain – Frieza.

After being revived with the Dragon Balls by two members of his army, Frieza makes his way to take revenge on Goku and the Z fighters alongside an army of thousands of alien super soldiers.

Resurrection F is packed with high-caliber fights that include fan favorites like Gohan, Krillin, Muten Roshi, Piccolo, Goku, and Vegeta, as well as old-school supervillain Captain Ginyu in the body of Tagoma.

6 Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle

Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987) is the second animated Dragon Ball movie. Sent by Master Roshi to a far-away castle to find a mystical Sleeping Princess, Goku, and Krillin, along with Yamcha, Bulma, and others, find themselves entangled in a dangerous adventure fighting the forces of the Devil himself and his henchmen.

While Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle’s allure largely comes from its gripping storyline, the film is filled with exciting battle scenes that feature the anime’s oldest and most crucial to the series’ characters as they battle the true evil incarnate – namely Lucifer!

5 Battle of the Gods

Released in 2013, Battle of the Gods is one of the latest animated feature-length projects from the Dragon Ball universe. Set in the Dragon Ball Super storyline, it follows the usual Z hero suspects and their encounter with the almighty God of Destruction – Lord Beerus, who descends to Earth along with Whis – an Angel wielding powers that surpass even his own.

Driven by curiosity born out of the prophecy of a Super Saiyan that is said to have the potential to be his rival, Beerus engages Goku and his friends, who are ultimately no match for him. After unlocking new hidden powers, however, Goku is able to give the God of Destruction a solid run for his money. Knowing that Beerus holds powers that could destroy anything and anyone on a whim, the Z fighters find themselves in more danger than ever before.

4 Bojack Unbound

Released in 1993, Bojack Unbound is the 9th Dragon Ball Z movie. The Z team is participating in an intergalactic tournament taking place on Earth, featuring fighters of varying backgrounds and abilities. In its midst, the tournament is taken over by an escaped alien prisoner named Bojack and his faithful brotherhood of villains. Bojack Unbound features numerous super fights between good and evil and even includes an exciting tournament fight between teammates Tien Shinhan and Trunks!

3 Cooler’s Revenge

Released in 1991, Cooler’s Revenge covers the events in the aftermath of Frieza’s ultimate destruction after he is defeated by Goku and finished off by Trunks. During a peaceful period on Earth, the Z fighters are visited by Cooler – a being whose strength far exceeds that of any villain the heroes have encountered thus far.

On a mission to avenge his fallen brother, Frieza, and father, King Cold, Cooler and his henchmen engage the Z fighters in a series of nightmarish battles, culminating in Cooler’s final transformation. When all seems to be lost, Goku himself transforms into a Super Sayian and manages to defeat Cooler… for the time being.

2 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) is the latest Dragon Ball film installment. It rocks an intense storyline in which the Z heroes are once again challenged by the infamous Red Ribbon Army and their latest android super cyborgs. Apart from the usual suspects giving it their best, the film has a special treat for Piccolo fans – a new transformation he gets to test against the androids, including the monstrous Cell Max!

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was received exceptionally well by both critics (93% score) and audiences (95% score) on Rotten Tomatoes.

1 The Dead Zone

     Toei Animation

Released in 1989, The Dead Zone is the first Dragon Ball Z animated feature film. After being ambushed by unfamiliar enemies on separate occasions, the Z fighters are visited by Garlic Jr. – a child-sized supervillain with the ability to drastically increase in size and strength. Having collected the seven Dragon Balls, Garlic Jr. wishes for eternal life, which makes him practically unbeatable.

Following a series of brutal fights involving Goku, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo, Garlic’s men are defeated while he, being immortal, is locked and imprisoned inside the Dead Zone, a portal of darkness that is his own creation.