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Dragon Ball Watch Order
47 entries · · community-maintained
Also known as Dragonball, Bola de Drac, DB, Dragon Ball DAIMA, DAIMA, ドラゴンボールDAIMA
Where to start Dragon Ball: begin with the original Dragon Ball, episodes 1-153 (1986), then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball Super. If you only want the adult Goku era, Dragon Ball Z episode 1 works as a starting point. GT, DAIMA, the Z-era films and the specials are optional. This Dragon Ball watch order stitches the original series, Z and Super together with more than 20 films, the TV specials and the OVAs in chronological order. The original films and The Path to Power follow the first series; Bardock: Father of Goku, The World's Strongest, Tree of Might and Lord Slug sit between early Z blocks, and the Cooler, Android 13, Broly, Bojack, Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon films drop into their matching episode gaps. DAIMA (2024) sits right after the Majin Buu saga. In Super, Battle of the Gods, Resurrection 'F', Broly and Super Hero carry the main story. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus (2026) is an optional remake of Super's opening arcs.
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Recommended first watch
Checked November 2026Watch the original Dragon Ball (153 episodes), then Dragon Ball Z (291 episodes), then Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes) in that order.
The Super films that carry the main story are Battle of the Gods, Resurrection 'F', Broly and Super Hero. The original-series and Z movies, the OVAs and the TV specials are side stories you can skip.
Dragon Ball GT (64 episodes) is an anime-original sequel and optional. DAIMA (2024, 20 episodes) is set right after the Majin Buu saga, so it is listed after Z episode 288; it is optional.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus (from October 2026) remakes Super's opening arcs and is optional if you have seen Super.
Start here
- Watch first
- Start with Episodes 1-153 (Dragon Ball).
- What to skip
- 27 entries are optional: Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball), Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (Dragon Ball), Mystical Adventure Movie (Dragon Ball), The Path to Power Movie (Dragon Ball), The Deadzone Movie (Dragon Ball), Bardock: Father of Goku Movie (Dragon Ball Z), and 21 more. The story still tracks without them.
- Filler notes
- A Hero's Legacy Special (Dragon Ball GT). A Hero's Legacy (March 1997), a GT TV special set 100 years later with Goku Jr.
- Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan Movie (Dragon Ball Z). Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan film (March 1993), a standalone story.
- Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball). Curse of the Blood Rubies (December 1986), the first film; a loose retelling of the opening.
Chronological order
Spot a mistake?
Fix this order
Dragon Ball
#1–6 · 6 entries
- 1Episodes 1-153
Dragon Ball, 153 episodes (1986 to 1989). Start here: young Goku and the search for the Dragon Balls.
5 people are here, including Karsten Mulder, Lady_Mystical and Alphonse0/153 - 2Curse of the Blood Rubies MovieOptional
Curse of the Blood Rubies (December 1986), the first film; a loose retelling of the opening. Optional.
3 people are here, including yoms and PickleSonion3Movie - 3Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle MovieOptional
Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle (July 1987), a standalone story with Goku and Krillin. Optional.
Movie - 4Mystical Adventure MovieOptional
Mystical Adventure (July 1988), a remix of the tournament and Tao Pai Pai story. Optional.
Movie - 5The Path to Power MovieOptional
The Path to Power (March 1996), a 10th-anniversary retelling of the early story. Optional.
Movie - 6The Deadzone MovieOptional
Dead Zone (Garlic Junior) film (July 1989), a standalone story. Optional; listed again later on this page.
Movie
Dragon Ball Z
#7–32 · 26 entries
- 7Episodes 1-86
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 1-86 (April 1989). Continues after the original series.
0/86 - 8Bardock: Father of Goku MovieOptional
Bardock: The Father of Goku, a TV special (October 1990). Optional side story.
2 people are here, including ife and Raju sharmaMovie - 9Episodes 87-107
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 87-107. Continues from episode 86.
0/21 - 10Episode of Bardock Special MovieOptional
Episode of Bardock special (December 2011), a retelling of Bardock's story. Optional; listed twice on this page.
Movie - 11World’s Strongest MovieOptional
The World's Strongest film (March 1990), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 12Tree of Might MovieOptional
The Tree of Might film (July 1990), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 13Lord Slug MovieOptional
Lord Slug film (March 1991), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 14Episodes 108-123
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 108-123. Continues from episode 107.
0/16 - 15History of Trunks MovieOptional
The History of Trunks special (February 1993), a side story. Optional.
Movie - 16Episodes 124-125
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 124-125. Continues from episode 123.
0/2 - 17Cooler’s Revenge MovieOptional
Cooler's Revenge film (July 1991), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 18Episodes 126-146
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 126-146. Continues from episode 125.
0/21 - 19Super Android 13! MovieOptional
Super Android 13! film (July 1992), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 20Episodes 147-165
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 147-165. Continues from episode 146.
0/19 - 21Return of Cooler MovieOptional
The Return of Cooler film (March 1992), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 22Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan MovieOptional
Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan film (March 1993), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 23Episodes 166-194
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 166-194. Continues from episode 165.
0/29 - 24Bojack Unbound MovieOptional
Bojack Unbound film (July 1993), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 25Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans OVAOptional
Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans OVA, 2 episodes (July 1993). Optional.
OVA - 26Episodes 195-207
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 195-207. Continues from episode 194.
0/13 - 27Broly’s Second Coming MovieOptional
Broly's Second Coming film (March 1994), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 28Episodes 208-250
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 208-250. Continues from episode 207.
0/43 - 29Bio-Broly MovieOptional
Bio-Broly film (July 1994), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 30Episodes 251-253
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 251-253. Continues from episode 250.
0/3 - 31Fusion Reborn MovieOptional
Fusion Reborn film (March 1995), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 32Episodes 254-288
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 254-288. Continues from episode 253.
0/35
Dragon Ball DAIMA
#33 · 1 entry
- 33Episodes 1–20Optional
Optional. DAIMA (20 episodes, 2024-2025) is set right after the Majin Buu saga (episode 288); Toriyama's last story. Super does not need it.
0/20
Dragon Ball Z
#34–36 · 3 entries
- 34Wrath of the Dragon MovieOptional
Wrath of the Dragon film (July 1995), a standalone story. Optional.
Movie - 35Episodes 289-291
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 289-291, the end of the series.
0/3 - 36Yo! Son Goku and Friends Return!! OVAOptional
Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! special (September 2008), a short reunion story. Optional.
OVA
Dragon Ball GT
#37–38 · 2 entries
- 37Episodes 1-64Optional
Dragon Ball GT, 64 episodes (February 1996). An anime-original sequel; optional.
0/64 - 38A Hero's Legacy SpecialOptional
A Hero's Legacy (March 1997), a GT TV special set 100 years later with Goku Jr. Optional.
Special
Dragon Ball Super
#39–45 · 7 entries
- 39Episodes 1-3
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 1-3 (July 2015). Continues after Dragon Ball Z.
0/3 - 40Battle of the Gods Movie
Battle of the Gods film (March 2013). Super's opening episodes retell it; a good place to watch it.
Movie - 41Episodes 4-18
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 4-18. Continues from episode 3.
0/15 - 42Resurrection F Movie
Resurrection 'F' film (April 2015). Super's later episodes build on it.
Movie - 43Episodes 19-131
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 19-131. Continues from episode 18.
0/113 - 44Broly Movie
Broly film (December 2018). Continues after Dragon Ball Super.
Movie - 45Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Super Hero film (June 2022). The latest film in the main story.
Movie
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus
#46 · 1 entry
- 46Episodes 1-4Optional
Optional enhanced remake of Super's Beerus, Golden Frieza and Universe 6 arcs, airing since October 2026.
2 people are here, including zeldafan89101 and Saram jawad0/4
Super Dragon Ball Heroes
#47 · 1 entry
- 47Episodes 1-56Optional
Super Dragon Ball Heroes (56 short episodes, 2018 to 2024), a promotional anime for the card game. Optional.
0/56
Side branches
Part of Dragon Ball, but outside the chronological order above. Each note says when it fits.
Dragon Ball Z Kai
TV · 167 episodes · 2009-2015
A recut of Z with most filler removed. Watch it instead of Dragon Ball Z, not as well.
Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol
TV · announced
Adapts the manga Moro arc after the Tournament of Power; announced with no release date yet.
The correct order to watch Dragon Ball, as one listShowHide
Watch Dragon Ball in this order. 47 entries, chronological.
- Dragon Ball: Episodes 1-153
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball: The Deadzone Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 1-86
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock: Father of Goku Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 87-107
- Dragon Ball Z: Episode of Bardock Special Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: World’s Strongest Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Tree of Might Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 108-123
- Dragon Ball Z: History of Trunks Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 124-125
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 126-146
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 147-165
- Dragon Ball Z: Return of Cooler Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 166-194
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans OVA (OVA) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 195-207
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly’s Second Coming Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 208-250
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 251-253
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 254-288
- Dragon Ball DAIMA: Episodes 1–20 — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon Movie (movie) — optional
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 289-291
- Dragon Ball Z: Yo! Son Goku and Friends Return!! OVA (OVA) — optional
- Dragon Ball GT: Episodes 1-64 — optional
- Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy Special (special) — optional
- Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 1-3
- Dragon Ball Super: Battle of the Gods Movie (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 4-18
- Dragon Ball Super: Resurrection F Movie (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 19-131
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Beerus: Episodes 1-4 — optional
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes: Episodes 1-56 — optional
How this order works
AnimeChrono watch orders put every season, movie, OVA, ONA and special for a franchise in chronological story order, the order the events happen. When an OVA or movie takes place partway through a season, the episode range is split so it sits where it belongs. Entries you can skip are marked optional, and each order says where to start. Release order, sorted by air date, is a secondary view once every entry has a date. The orders began as a hand-curated set, and episode counts and air dates come from AniList. Fans maintain the orders from there. Any signed-in user can edit one. Edits from trusted contributors go live right away and the rest are reviewed first. Every change is versioned and can be reverted, and each order shows when it was last updated and last checked.
Something wrong or missing?
This order is maintained by the community. Report a problem, or sign in to fix it yourself.
Dragon Ball watch order FAQ
What order should I watch Dragon Ball in?
Watch the original Dragon Ball (153 episodes), then Dragon Ball Z (291 episodes), then Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes) in that order. The Super films that carry the main story are Battle of the Gods, Resurrection 'F', Broly and Super Hero. The original-series and Z movies, the OVAs and the TV specials are side stories you can skip. Dragon Ball GT (64 episodes) is an anime-original sequel and optional. DAIMA (2024, 20 episodes) is set right after the Majin Buu saga, so it is listed after Z episode 288; it is optional. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus (from October 2026) remakes Super's opening arcs and is optional if you have seen Super.
Where should I start Dragon Ball?
Start with the original Dragon Ball, episode 1 (1986), then go on to Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. If you want to jump straight into the adult-Goku fights, Dragon Ball Z episode 1 is the usual alternative starting point.
Do I need to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
It helps. The original Dragon Ball (153 episodes, 1986 to 1989) follows Goku as a child, and Dragon Ball Z picks up with him as an adult. Z can still be watched on its own if you only want the later fights.
Which Dragon Ball movies matter?
The Z-era films of 1989 to 1995 are standalone stories and optional. The Super-era films Battle of the Gods (2013), Resurrection 'F' (2015), Broly (2018) and Super Hero (2022) are the ones that tie into the main story.
Is Dragon Ball GT worth watching?
It is optional. GT is an anime-original sequel, not an adaptation of the manga, so most guides treat it as a side path rather than part of the main story.
Where does Dragon Ball DAIMA fit?
Right after the Majin Buu saga of Dragon Ball Z (episode 288), so this page lists it there. It is a 20-episode series (October 2024 to February 2025) and optional: Super does not depend on it.
What is Dragon Ball Super: Beerus?
It is an enhanced remake of Dragon Ball Super's Beerus, Golden Frieza and Universe 6 arcs, airing in Japan since 11 October 2026. It retells Super's first story arcs, so it is optional if you have already seen Super. Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol (the Moro arc) is announced but has no date yet.
What is the chronological order of Dragon Ball?
Start with Episodes 1-153 (Dragon Ball), then continue with Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball), Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (Dragon Ball), Mystical Adventure Movie (Dragon Ball), The Path to Power Movie (Dragon Ball), and The Deadzone Movie (Dragon Ball), followed by 41 more entries. The full Dragon Ball watch order on this page has 47 entries across 7 series, listed in chronological viewing order.
What is the release order of Dragon Ball?
In the order they aired, start with Episodes 1-153 (Dragon Ball), then Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball), Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (Dragon Ball), Mystical Adventure Movie (Dragon Ball), Episodes 1-86 (Dragon Ball Z), and The Deadzone Movie (Dragon Ball), followed by 41 more entries. Release order follows air dates and is not the recommended chronological order.
How many episodes is Dragon Ball?
Dragon Ball has 719 TV episodes in this order, plus 24 movies, 2 OVAs, and 1 special.
Where do the Dragon Ball movies fit in the watch order?
Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie comes right after Episodes 1-153 (Dragon Ball), Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie comes right after Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball), Mystical Adventure Movie comes right after Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (Dragon Ball), The Path to Power Movie comes right after Mystical Adventure Movie (Dragon Ball), and The Deadzone Movie comes right after The Path to Power Movie (Dragon Ball), and 19 more are placed in the list above.
Can I skip anything in Dragon Ball?
Yes. 27 entries are marked optional: Curse of the Blood Rubies Movie (Dragon Ball), Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle Movie (Dragon Ball), Mystical Adventure Movie (Dragon Ball), The Path to Power Movie (Dragon Ball), The Deadzone Movie (Dragon Ball), and Bardock: Father of Goku Movie (Dragon Ball Z), and 21 more. Everything else is part of the main story.
Is Dragon Ball finished?
Yes. Dragon Ball has finished airing, and this order covers everything released so far in chronological viewing order.
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