You can skip 3 of the 9 titles in the Dragon Ball franchise and still follow the main story: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', and Dragon Ball GT. The essentials (6 titles) take about 250 hours instead of 279 hours.
- Skippable
- 3
- Essentials
- 6
- Time saved
- 30 hours
Safe to skip
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods2013 · Film · 1h 25m · optionalBeerus arrives; retold in Super's first arc, so watch one or the other.
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'2015 · Film · 1h 33m · optionalFrieza returns; also retold in Super.
- Dragon Ball GT1996 · Series · 26h 40m · optionalA non-canon sequel; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 1996 · Series · 26h 40m · optional
Dragon Ball GT
Ten years have passed since Goku left his friends and family to hone his skills. But Goku soon finds himself helpless against the mystical power of the Dragon Balls and an accidental wish made by the devious Emperor Pilaf. The wish; that Goku once again become a child! Goku, together with Trunks, and his own granddaughter Pan, blast off into the outer reaches of space in search of the mysterious Black Star Dragon Balls. But these Dragon Balls have a fatal secret: if not collected within one year Earth will be destroyed.
Why it matters: A non-canon sequel; optional.
- Starring
- Masako Nozawa, Yuko Minaguchi, and Takeshi Kusao
- Scores
- IMDb 6.8
- Episodes
- 64
No. 02 · 2013 · Film · 1h 25m · optional
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
After the defeat of Majin Buu, a powerful God of Destruction known as Beerus searches for the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to Earth, the Z-fighters must stop him. Only Goku, humanity’s last hope, can ascend to the level of a legendary Super Saiyan God and save the planet, and possibly the entire universe!
Why it matters: Beerus arrives; retold in Super's first arc, so watch one or the other.
- Starring
- Masako Nozawa, Koichi Yamadera, and Masakazu Morita
- Director
- Masahiro Hosoda
- Box office
- $50 million
- Scores
- IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 89%
No. 03 · 2015 · Film · 1h 33m · optional
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.
Why it matters: Frieza returns; also retold in Super.
- Starring
- Masako Nozawa, Ryo Horikawa, and Ryusei Nakao
- Director
- Tadayoshi Yamamuro
- Box office
- $62 million on a $5 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%
The essentials, in release order
- Dragon Ball1986 · Series · 63h 45mYoung Goku's adventures; the place to start.
- Dragon Ball Z1989 · Series · 122h 2mAdult Goku, the Saiyans, Frieza, Cell and Buu.
- Dragon Ball Super2015 · Series · 52h 24mGods, multiverses and the Tournament of Power.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly2018 · Film · 1h 41mA canon film after Super's TV run; Broly reimagined.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero2022 · Film · 1h 40mGohan and Piccolo take the lead.
- Dragon Ball Daima2024 · Series · 8h 8mCanon, set between the Buu saga and Super.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Dragon Ball title?
No. You can skip 3 of the 9 titles in the Dragon Ball franchise and still follow the main story: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', and Dragon Ball GT. The essentials (6 titles) take about 250 hours instead of 279 hours.
How long are the Dragon Ball essentials?
About 250 hours for 6 titles, in release order starting with Dragon Ball.
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