Chronological Order of Dragon Ball Z Movies: A Comprehensive Guide

Dragon Ball Z, a monumental anime series, is home to a series of movies that offer fans a chance to experience the adventures in between the main story arcs. Understanding the release order of these movies can help in grasping the continuity and enhancing the viewing experience. Below, we provide a detailed list of these movies in chronological order, along with a brief synopsis of each.

Chronological List of Dragon Ball Z Movies

1. Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)

Dead Zone is the first movie in the Dragon Ball Z series. It is set prior to the arrival of Raditz on Earth, adding a new dimension to the pre-arc. The storyline introduces us to the might of a mysterious force that threatens the Earth before the Saiyan invasion.

2. Dragon Ball Z: The Worlds Strongest (1990)

The Worlds Strongest is the second film in the series, which takes place after the Saiyan invasion. The movie follows the tournament that Goku organizes to challenge the strongest fighters on Earth, showcasing the growth and improvement of the fighters after encountering the Saiyans.

3. Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)

Set after the Saiyan invasion, The Tree of Might introduces the powerful entity known as Lord Slug. The movie is a battle between Goku, as he transforms to his Gigaseiian form, and Lord Slug.

4. Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990)

Bardock serves as a prequel to the Dragon Ball Z series, providing a background on Goku’s father and his reasons for traveling to Earth. The movie delves into the origin story of the Saiyan race, setting the stage for the main events of the series.

5. Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (1993)

This movie focuses on the character Trunks, a young boy from the future who mentors Goku and Krillin in their training. The storyline takes place before the arrival of the Androids and Cell.

6. Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)

Bojack Unbound is a short film that follows Bojack, who seeks to turn the saiyans into an army for himself. Set before the Androids invasion and Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan, it portrays a more villainous perspective and sets the stage for the eventual destruction of Bojack.

7. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)

Broly is known as the most formidable Saiyan. This film focuses on his arrival on Earth and the battles he engages in. Broly is the first to achieve the Super Saiyan transformation, which is a significant milestone in the series.

8. Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)

Following Broly, Bio-Broly delves deeper into the character's backstory. It introduces Bojack’s plans to create a clone of Broly and the resulting conflict between Bojack and Raditz.

9. Dragon Ball Z: The Incredible Mr. Satan (1994)

A short film, The Incredible Mr. Satan features a legendary tournament with Mr. Satan taking part in a sparring match with Gohan. Although considered a short film, it's often seen as an extension of the main movie series.

10. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)

Continuing from Broly, this sequel focuses on his return and his challenges to master the Super Saiyan transformation.

11. Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)

The Fusion Reborn film involves the Fusion technique, a powerful combination of two characters. This movie sets up the Fusion Pill and Kang, leading to significant events in the Dragon Ball saga.

12. Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)

Wrath of the Dragon introduces a new threat to the Earth, the Dragon Clan, which attempts to eradicate the Saiyan race. It is a significant event for Goku and Vegeta as they attempt to fend off the Dragon Clan.

13. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)

This movie introduces GrandSlides, the gods of the Universe. It marks a significant shift in the series as it deals with the conflict between gods and mortals, introducing new themes and characters.

14. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (2015)

Resurrection F introduces Frieza, a return to a classic villain from the series. It is set before the Return of Gods, focusing on the action led by Frieza.

15. Dragon Ball Z: The Final Chapters (2016)

This is not a stand-alone movie but a part of the Dragon Ball Super series, which is often shortened to Dragon Ball Super F in recognition of this movie. It takes place after the Dragon Ball Super series and provides a direct continuation of the main storyline.

These 13 movies are set within the Dragon Ball Z continuity, while the last two, Resurrection F and The Final Chapters, are part of the Dragon Ball Super series. They are often associated with the Z timeline due to their characters and themes. The order of these movies can sometimes be confusing due to characters' ages, transformations, and mentions of other characters. For instance, Dead Zone is set before the Saiyan invasion, while The Worlds Strongest, The Tree of Might, and Bojack Unbound are set after the invasion. Understanding the storyline and piecing together the events can help in grasping the overall continuity.