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.
Choose Your Path
The leanest way through Dragon Ball. Only canon series, only the 4 canon films. You skip GT entirely and avoid all filler arcs in Z.
The best balance. You get the full canon experience plus the most enjoyable non-canon films. This is what we recommend for most viewers.
You want it all. Every episode, every filler arc, every film, and yes — GT. This path is a massive commitment but covers every corner of the franchise.
Complete Watch Order Timeline
| # | Title | Type | Episodes / Length | When to Watch | Path | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dragon BallThe original adventure | Canon | 153 episodes | Start here | All paths | ✦ Must Watch |
| 2 | Dragon Ball ZThe full Saiyan saga and beyond | Canon + Filler | 291 episodes | After Dragon Ball | Path 3 only | ✧ Watchable |
| 2b | Dragon Ball Z Kai RECOMMENDEDRemastered, filler-free Z | Canon | 159 episodes | After Dragon Ball (replaces DBZ) | Path 1 & 2 | ✦ Must Watch |
| 3 | Battle of Gods2013 film | Film · Canon | 1h 25min | After DBZ ep. 288 / Kai | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable |
| 4 | Resurrection F2015 film | Film · Canon | 1h 33min | After Battle of Gods | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable |
| 5 | Dragon Ball SuperThe continuation of the canon story | Canon | 131 episodes | After Resurrection F / Kai | All paths | ✦ Must Watch |
| 6 | Dragon Ball Super: Broly2018 film | Film · Canon | 1h 40min | After DBS ep. 131 | All paths | ✦ Must Watch |
| 7 | Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero2022 film | Film · Canon | 1h 40min | After Broly | All paths | ✦ Must Watch |
| 8 | Dragon Ball Daima2024 series | Canon | 20 episodes | After Super Hero | All paths | ✦ Must Watch |
| 9 | Dragon Ball GTThe non-canon continuation | Non-Canon | 64 episodes | After DBS (optional) | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip |
Complete Films Guide
| Title | Year | Canon? | Placement | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curse of the Blood Rubies | 1986 | No | Standalone retelling of early DB | ◌ Skip |
| Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle | 1987 | No | During early Dragon Ball | ◌ Skip |
| Mystical Adventure | 1988 | No | Alternate retelling of Tien Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Dead Zone | 1989 | No | Before DBZ | ✧ Watchable |
| The World's Strongest | 1990 | No | During Saiyan Saga | ◌ Skip |
| The Tree of Might | 1990 | No | During Saiyan Saga | ✧ Watchable |
| Lord Slug | 1991 | No | During Frieza Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Cooler's Revenge | 1991 | No | After Frieza Saga | ✧ Watchable |
| The Return of Cooler | 1992 | No | During Cell Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Super Android 13! | 1992 | No | During Cell Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan | 1993 | No | During Cell Games | ✧ Watchable |
| Bojack Unbound | 1993 | No | After Cell Games | ✧ Watchable |
| Broly – Second Coming | 1994 | No | During Buu Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Bio-Broly | 1994 | No | During Buu Saga | ◌ Skip |
| Fusion Reborn | 1995 | No | During Buu Saga | ✧ Watchable |
| Wrath of the Dragon | 1995 | No | After Buu Saga | ✧ Watchable |
| The Path to Power | 1996 | No | Standalone DB retelling | ✧ Watchable |
| A Hero's Legacy | 1997 | No | After GT | ◌ Skip |
| Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! | 2008 | No | After DBZ, before DBS | ◌ Skip |
| Battle of Gods | 2013 | Yes | After DBZ ep. 288 / Before DBS | ✦ Must Watch |
| Resurrection F | 2015 | Yes | After Battle of Gods / Before DBS ep. 28 | ✦ Must Watch |
| Dragon Ball Super: Broly | 2018 | Yes | After DBS ep. 131 | ✦ Must Watch |
| Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero | 2022 | Yes | After DBS: Broly | ✦ Must Watch |
Filler Guide
| Arc | Episodes | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic Jr. Saga | 108–117 | ◌ Skip | Non-canon filler between Frieza and Cell sagas. |
| Otherworld Tournament | 195–199 | ✧ Watchable | Fun filler arc with Goku fighting in the afterlife. |
| Great Saiyaman Filler | 200–209 (partial) | ◌ Skip | Extended slice-of-life filler during the Saiyaman arc. |
| Various DBZ Fillers | Scattered throughout | ◌ Skip | Kai removes all of these. Use Kai for the cleanest experience. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Dragon Ball GT?
GT is optional. It was produced by Toei Animation without direct involvement from Akira Toriyama and is not part of the official canon. Dragon Ball Super effectively replaced GT as the canonical continuation. That said, GT has its moments — the Super Saiyan 4 transformation is iconic, and the final episode is genuinely emotional. Watch it if you're a completionist, skip it if you want to stick to canon.
Is Dragon Ball GT canon?
No. Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon. It exists in an alternate timeline separate from the main continuity established by Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball Super is the official canonical sequel to Dragon Ball Z.
Do I need to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
Technically no, but strongly recommended. Dragon Ball introduces Goku, the core cast, and the world-building that DBZ builds upon. Many emotional moments in Z hit harder with DB context. If you absolutely can't commit, you can start with Z/Kai, but you'll miss important character development.
Where can I watch all of Dragon Ball?
Crunchyroll has the most complete Dragon Ball library, including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Daima, and most of the films. Some films may also be available on Amazon Prime Video or Netflix depending on your region.
How long does it take to watch all of Dragon Ball?
Watching everything (all series + all films) takes approximately 800+ hours. The Essentialist path (canon only) takes about 350 hours. The Standard recommended path takes about 360 hours. The Completionist path with GT and all fillers reaches approximately 900 hours.
What order should I watch the Dragon Ball Super movies?
The four canon DBS-era films should be watched in this order: Battle of Gods (after DBZ/Kai), Resurrection F (after Battle of Gods), Dragon Ball Super: Broly (after DBS episode 131), and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (after Broly). Note that Battle of Gods and Resurrection F are retold in DBS episodes 1-27, so you can skip the films if you're watching the series.
Where to Watch
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball Z Kai
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball GT
- Dragon Ball Daima
- Most films
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
- Select series (rental/purchase)
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