OrderToWatch

Dragon Ball watch order

Dragon Ball shows in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch Dragon Ball (1986), then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball Super. Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' are retold in the first arcs of Super, so you can skip either the films or those arcs. Dragon Ball GT is non-canon, and Dragon Ball Daima (2024) is canon, set after the Buu saga.

How to watch Dragon Ball in order: the full guide

All 9 films and series in the Dragon Ball franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Dragon Ball (1986); the first in chronological order is Dragon Ball (set in Young Goku).

Release order

  1. Dragon Ball (Series, 1986): Young Goku's adventures; the place to start.
  2. Dragon Ball Z (Series, 1989): Adult Goku, the Saiyans, Frieza, Cell and Buu.
  3. Dragon Ball GT (Series, 1996): A non-canon sequel; optional.
  4. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (Movie, 2013): Beerus arrives; retold in Super's first arc, so watch one or the other.
  5. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (Movie, 2015): Frieza returns; also retold in Super.
  6. Dragon Ball Super (Series, 2015): Gods, multiverses and the Tournament of Power.
  7. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie, 2018): A canon film after Super's TV run; Broly reimagined.
  8. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Movie, 2022): Gohan and Piccolo take the lead.
  9. Dragon Ball Daima (Series, 2024): Canon, set between the Buu saga and Super.

Chronological order

  1. Dragon Ball (set in Young Goku): Young Goku's adventures; the place to start.
  2. Dragon Ball Z (set in Saiyan to Buu): Adult Goku, the Saiyans, Frieza, Cell and Buu.
  3. Dragon Ball Daima (set in After the Buu saga): Canon, set between the Buu saga and Super.
  4. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (set in Beerus): Beerus arrives; retold in Super's first arc, so watch one or the other.
  5. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (set in Frieza returns): Frieza returns; also retold in Super.
  6. Dragon Ball Super (set in Gods and universes): Gods, multiverses and the Tournament of Power.
  7. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (set in After the Tournament of Power): A canon film after Super's TV run; Broly reimagined.
  8. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (set in After Broly): Gohan and Piccolo take the lead.
  9. Dragon Ball GT (set in Alternate future): A non-canon sequel; optional.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Dragon Ball shows in?

Watch Dragon Ball (1986), then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball Super. Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' are retold in the first arcs of Super, so you can skip either the films or those arcs. Dragon Ball GT is non-canon, and Dragon Ball Daima (2024) is canon, set after the Buu saga.

How many Dragon Ball movies and shows are there?

There are 9 titles in the Dragon Ball franchise: 4 films and 5 series, released from 1986 to 2024.

How long does it take to watch all the Dragon Ball shows?

About 279 hours for all 9 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (6 titles) take about 250 hours.

What is the first Dragon Ball title in chronological order?

Dragon Ball, set in Young Goku. In release order the first is Dragon Ball (1986).

Which Dragon Ball titles can I skip?

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', and Dragon Ball GT. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.