Are you a Dragon Ball fan but feel completely confused as to when to watch the movies and TV specials? Truth be told it doesn’t matter, since they’re all considered non-canon (except perhaps the specials since they don’t contradict the main story like the movies do). Having said that, though, if you want the movies and specials to actually make sense, then it’s best to watch them as events unfold within their respected episodic storyarc. For example, to fully appreciate Dead Zone it needs to be watched after finishing Dragon Ball (or at least before episode 5 of Dragon Ball Z) otherwise the movie feels like an incoherent mess because the back-story is assumed to be known by the viewer.

Now, I couldn’t find any official information on this subject, so I’ve compiled an unofficial list from my own experience and various sources (mentioned at the end). Please remember that these are approximations and by no means 100% accurate, but they should provide for a satisfying viewing experience.

* I also need to point out that the Dragon Ball Z episodes have two numbers. The first number corresponds to the original English dub which cut/fused together 15 episodes from the first 107 episodes . This in turn dropped the total count from 291 to 276. Details on the butchering can be read here and here. The second number is the official Japanese episode number which incidentally correlates to the restored English redub that was completed in 2003.

Onward to the list!

1. Dragon Ball series

• 1.1 Movie 1: Curse of the Blood Rubies
• Alt. Title: Shen Long no Densetsu / The Legend of Shenlong
• When to Watch: Viewer’s choice (retelling of episodes 1-13)
• Summary of Episodes: Pilaf and the first usage of the Dragon Balls.
• 1.2 Movie 2: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle
• Alt. Title: Majinjou no Nemuri Hime
• When to Watch: Viewer’s choice (retelling of episodes 14-16)
• Summary of Episodes: Goku and Kuririn are tested by Master Roshi.
• 1.3 Movie 3: Mystical Adventure
• Alt. Title: Makafushigi Daibouken
• When to Watch: Viewer’s choice (retelling of episodes 19-78)
• Summary of Episodes: First Tenkaichi tournament, end of the Red Ribbon Army mini-saga, using the Dragon Balls a second time.
• 1.4 Movie 4: The Path to Power
• Alt. Title: Saikyou e no Michi / The Path to Ultimate Strength
• When to Watch: Viewer’s choice (retelling of episodes 1-67)
• Summary of Episodes: Everything until the end of the Red Ribbon Army mini-saga.

2. Dragon Ball Z series

• 2.1 TV Special: Bardock - The Father of Goku
• Alt. Title: Tatta Hitori no Saishuu Kessen - Freezer ni Idon da Z Senshi Songokuu no Chichi / A Final Solitary Battle - The Z Warrior Son Goku’s Father Challenges Furiza
• When to Watch: Anytime; Viewer’s choice.
• Notes: This special is a prelude to the entire Dragon Ball saga, but doesn’t necessarily need to be watched before Dragon Ball. If you’re new to the series and don’t want Goku’s origins spoiled, then you may want to wait until you’ve seen the first couple episodes of DBZ.
• 2.2 Movie 1: Dead Zone
• Alt. Title: Ora no Gohan wo Kaese!! / Give Me Back My Gohan!!
• When to Watch: After Dragon Ball
• 2.3 Movie 2: The World’s Strongest
• Alt. Title: Konoyo de Ichiban Tsuyoi Yatsu / The Strongest Guy in the World
• When to Watch: After episode 26 / 35 (end of Saiyan mini-saga)
• Notes: In terms of location and everyone’s repertoire of moves, this is the best time to watch this movie. Be prepared to be a little confused though.
• 2.4 Movie 3: The Tree of Might
• Alt. Title: Chikyuu Marugoto Chou-Kessen / The Ultimate Decisive Battle Over Earth
• When to Watch: After episode 26 / 35 (end of Saiyan mini-saga)
• Notes: In terms of location and everyone’s repertoire of moves, this is the best time to watch this movie. Be prepared to be a little confused though.
• 2.5 Movie 4: Lord Slug
• Alt. Title: Super Saiyajin da Songokuu / Super Saiyajin Son Goku
• When to Watch: After episode 26 / 35 (end of Saiyan mini-saga)
• Notes: In terms of location and everyone’s repertoire of moves, this is the best time to watch this movie. Be prepared to be a little confused though.
• 2.6 TV Special: The History of Trunks
• Alt. Title: Zetsubou e no Hankou!! Nokosareta Chousenshi - Gohan to Trunks / Resist Despair!! The Surviving Fighters - Gohan and Trunks
• When to Watch: Anytime after Trunks appears or a few episodes beforehand.
• Notes: This special acts as a prelude to the Trunks mini-saga, so if you want the full effect of what Trunks had to go through, watch after episode 102 / 117 (end of Garlic Jr. mini-saga). If you’d rather stay in the dark and ward off some potential spoilers, watch after 124 / 139 (end of Andriods mini-saga)
• 2.7 Movie 5: Cooler’s Revenge
• Alt. Title: Tobikkiri no Saikyou Tai Saikyou / Battle of the Strongest vs. the Strongest
• When to Watch: After episode 110 / 125 (end of Trunks mini-saga)
• 2.8 Movie 6: Return of Cooler
• Alt. Title: Gekitotsu!! 100-oku Power no Senshitachi / Collision! 10 Billion Powered Warriors
• When to Watch: After movie 5
• 2.9 Movie 7: Super Android 13!
• Alt. Title: Kyokugen Battle!! Sandai Super Saiyajin / Extreme Battle!! Three Super Saiyajin
• When to Watch: After episode 124 / 139 (end of Andriods mini-saga)
• 2.10 Movie 8: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
• Alt. Title: Moetsukiro!! Nessen - Retsusen - Chou Gekisen / Ignite!! Hard Fight - Furious Fight - Super Severe Fight
• When to Watch: Between episodes 151-160 / 166-175 (during Cell Games mini-saga)
• 2.11 OVA: Plan to Destory the Saiyans
• Alt. Title: Gaiden - Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku
• When to Watch: After movie 8
• 2.12 Movie 9: Bojack Unbound
• Alt. Title: Ginga Girigiri!! Bucchigiri no Sugoi Yatsu / From the Edge of the Milky Way!! An Incredibly Amazing Guy
• When to Watch: After episode 179 / 194 (end of Cell Games mini-saga)
• 2.13 Movie 10: Broly - Second Coming
• Alt. Title: Kiken na Futari! Super Senshi wa Nemurenai / Dangerous Duo! Super Soldiers Never Sleep
• When to Watch: After episode 194 / 209 (end of Great Saiyaman mini-saga)
• 2.14 Movie 11: Bio-Broly
• Alt. Title: Super Senshi Gekiha!! Katsu no wa Ore da / Super Soldiers Annihilate!! The Winner Will Be Me
• When to Watch: After episode 216 / 231 (end of Babidi mini-saga)
• 2.15 Movie 12: Fusion Reborn
• Alt. Title: Fukkatsu no Fusion!! Gokuu to Vegeta / Fusion Revival!! Goku and Vegeta
• When to Watch: Between episodes 239-260 / 254-275 (during Fusion mini-saga)
• 2.16 Movie 13: Wrath of the Dragon
• Alt. Title: Ryuuken Bakuhatsu!! Gokuu ga Yaraneba Dare ga Yaru / Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Can’t Do It, Who Can
• When to Watch: End of Dragon Ball Z

3. Dragon Ball GT series

• 3.1 TV Special: A Hero’s Legacy
• Alt. Title: Goku Gaiden! Yuuki no Akashi wa Suushinchuu
• When to Watch: End of Dragon Ball GT

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Sources:
pojo.com for their take on a DBZ movie guide.
myfavoritegames.com for a nice English episode list.
Wikipedia (Dragon Ball Franchise) for various DBZ movie information.
anidb.net for official numbers and alternate titles.