Dragon Ball Watch Order
Dragon Ball is one of the most sprawling franchises in anime history. Six series, 23 films, non-canon timelines, and the eternal question — GT or no GT? This guide cuts through the confusion with three clear watch paths, exact film placement, and a complete filler breakdown.
Watch in this order: Dragon Ball → Dragon Ball Z (or Kai) → Dragon Ball Super → Dragon Ball Daima. Insert Super: Broly right after DBS episode 131, then Super Hero after that. Skip GT unless you want everything — it’s non-canon and takes place in an alternate timeline. For films, the only ones that matter are Battle of Gods, Resurrection F, Broly, and Super Hero — all others are enjoyable but non-essential.
- DBZ vs Dragon Ball Kai — Kai is a remastered, heavily trimmed version of DBZ. Same story, ~45% fewer episodes, almost no filler. You don’t need to watch both.
- Dragon Ball GT — Not written by Toriyama. Mostly disliked by fans. Canon status: officially non-canon since Super was created as the true continuation.
- The films — Out of 23 films, only 4 are canon. The rest are fun standalone stories that don’t affect the main plot.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly — This film canonically replaces the two original Broly films. If you’ve seen those, you can still watch this one.
Choose Your Watch Path
The core story without detours. DBZ replaced by Kai. No GT, no non-canon films. Best for newcomers who want the clean experience.
The canon path above, plus the 4 canon films and a few beloved non-canon ones. The experience most fans would recommend.
Full DBZ with filler, all 23 films, GT, every special and OVA. For the dedicated fan who wants the full picture, no exceptions.
Dragon Ball Z vs Kai: Which to Watch?
This is one of the most common questions from newcomers. Here’s the honest comparison:
For 90% of viewers, Dragon Ball Kai is the better choice. It tells the exact same story in 45% less time by cutting the filler and padding that slows down DBZ. The only reason to choose DBZ is if you specifically want the original animation style or the classic Faulconer soundtrack (Western dub). You can always go back to the full DBZ later.
Complete Dragon Ball Timeline
| # | Title | Type | Episodes / Length | When to Watch | Path | Verdict | Watch Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dragon BallThe original adventure | Canon | 153 episodes | Start here | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 2 | Dragon Ball ZThe full Saiyan saga and beyond | Canon + Filler | 291 episodes | After Dragon Ball | Path 3 only | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 2b | Dragon Ball Z Kai RECOMMENDEDRemastered, filler-free Z | Canon | 159 episodes | After Dragon Ball (replaces DBZ) | Path 1 & 2 | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 3 | Battle of Gods2013 film | Film · Canon | 1h 25min | After DBZ ep. 288 / Kai | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 4 | Resurrection F2015 film | Film · Canon | 1h 33min | After Battle of Gods | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 5 | Dragon Ball SuperThe continuation of the canon story | Canon | 131 episodes | After Resurrection F / Kai | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 6 | Dragon Ball Super: Broly2018 film | Film · Canon | 1h 40min | After DBS ep. 131 | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 7 | Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero2022 film | Film · Canon | 1h 40min | After Broly | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 8 | Dragon Ball Daima2024 series | Canon | 20 episodes | After Super Hero | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 9 | Dragon Ball GTThe non-canon continuation | Non-Canon | 64 episodes | After DBS (optional) | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Dragon Ball GT?
Only if you want to see everything Dragon Ball has to offer. GT is non-canon — it was created by Toei Animation without Akira Toriyama’s involvement, and Dragon Ball Super was later created as the official continuation, effectively replacing GT. Most fans recommend skipping it, at least on a first watch. If you’re curious, watch it after finishing Super and Daima.
Is Dragon Ball GT canon?
No. GT is officially non-canon. When Toriyama created Dragon Ball Super, he explicitly stated it was the true continuation after the Majin Buu Saga, which made GT an alternate timeline. You won’t miss anything story-relevant by skipping it.
Do I need to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
Technically no, but strongly recommended. Dragon Ball introduces all the core characters, Goku’s origin, the Dragon Balls themselves, and the early power system. Many emotional moments in DBZ hit harder when you know the characters from the beginning. Plan for around 50 hours — it’s worth it.
Where can I watch all of Dragon Ball?
Crunchyroll is your best single destination — it has Dragon Ball, DBZ, Kai, Super, GT, Daima, and most films. Netflix has a partial selection including recent films. Amazon Prime Video also carries the main series. For film completionists, some older non-canon films may require purchase on digital platforms.
How long does it take to watch all of Dragon Ball?
It depends heavily on your path. Canon essentials only (Kai + Super + Daima + 4 canon films): roughly 350 hours. The standard experience with DBZ and recommended films: around 360 hours. The full completionist path including GT and all 23 films: 900+ hours. Most people binge the essential path over 3–6 months watching a few episodes per day.
What order should I watch the Dragon Ball Super movies?
Battle of Gods first (it introduces Beerus and Super Saiyan God), then Resurrection ‘F’ (Frieza returns), then watch Dragon Ball Super the series (you can skip episodes 1–27 since the films cover that arc). After the series ends at episode 131, watch Super: Broly, then Super Hero, then Daima.
Where to Watch Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball Z Kai
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball GT
- Dragon Ball Daima
- Most films
- Super: Broly
- Super Hero
- Battle of Gods
- Resurrection ’F’
- Daima (select regions)
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball GT
- Films (partial)
Dragon Ball Super anime ended at episode 131 (Chapter 41 of the DBS manga). The manga continues well beyond the anime with new arcs — the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, Granolah the Survivor Saga, and beyond. If you want to continue the story without waiting for new anime, the DBS manga is where to go.
→ Dragon Ball Super Vol. 1 on Amazon