EntertainmentTVAnime ShowsHow to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies)When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVAnime ShowsHow to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies)When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
If you are wondering how to watch all of Dragon Ball in order, don’t worry because you aren’t alone. Like most of thebest animein the Shonen category, the Dragon Ball timeline is a complicated beast, featuring 24 movies and over 600 episodes that span multiple series.
So, to make your life easier, here’s our guide on how to watch Dragon Ball in order. Below, we’ve included lists of how to watch in canonical order and chronological order. We’ve also made sure to include all Dragon Ball movies in our breakdown, and all the details on where you can watch Dragon Ball for yourself as well!
How to watch Dragon Ball in canonical order:
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
If you are a newcomer, we’d also recommend watching Dragon Ball Kai, as it cuts a lot of the filler episodes from Dragon Ball Z. However, if you are a fan of watching 20 episodes dedicated to Goku destroying planets and kicking ass, stick to the original Z series for the complete Shonen experience.
Here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in canonical order:
How to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
Ok, now, let’s talk about the Shenron-sized beast in the room. If you want the complete Dragon Ball experience, which includes all the movies and all the technically non-canon series, you’ll have over 20 films and over 600 episodes to add to your watch list.
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A lot of the Dragon Ball timeline takes place during the events of Dragon Ball Z. This means that certain movies and, in fact, a handful of new anime series take place before the final episodes of Dragon Ball Z.
Here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order:
Where can I watch Dragon Ball?
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
The good news is that you can watch the majority of the main Dragon Ball series on Crunchyroll right now. Titles on the service include the likes of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. You can watch some of Dragon Ball via Amazon Prime if you prefer, but you’ll have to pay per season, as it isn’t included in your Prime membership.
The cheapest paid tier on Crunchyroll, on the other hand, is only $7.99/£4.99 a month. And you won’t have to pay any extra charges to watch Dragon Ball either. Crunchyroll is also streaming Dragon Ball: DAIMA (however, Netflix is also now playing the new anime), so it’s definitely thebest streaming servicethat we’d recommend to anime fans.
Crunchyroll is also the best place to watchDemon Slayer in order,Jujutsu Kaisen in order, and more anime classics.
Are the Dragon Ball movies canon?
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
So here is another tricky anime issue. Some of the Dragon Ball movies are canon, and some of them aren’t. For example, the first three Dragon Ball movies aren’t canon, and technically, neither are the 15 Dragon Ball Z movies. However, it could be argued that Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone could be canon to the anime as it doesn’t contradict the main story.
See, confusing, isn’t it? Well, it gets more complicated since Dragon Ball Super: Broly is considered canon, while the original Dragon Ball Z: Broly trilogy isn’t. Dragon Ball Super: Broly follows directly after the events of Dragon Ball Super, so it marks itself as one of the only canon films. This makes Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (aka one of thebest anime moviesin the franchise) technically canon as well.
However, a good rule to follow when it comes to the Dragon Ball movies is to treat them as separate entities if you plan on a strict canon marathon. The series are the most important to keep track of (apart from the non-canon Dragon Ball GT), and they do a lot of heavy lifting to keep you up to speed on plot details, and new characters.
Where is Dragon Ball DAIMA set in the timeline?
(Image credit: Toei Animation)
Dragon Ball DAIMA is a “sequel to the Majin Buu arc.” This means that it takes place before the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods movie and before the end of Dragon Ball Super.
It’s also been confirmed that Dragon Ball DAIMA is canon and will tie into the return of Super. So, if you are a Dragon Ball timeline fan, this is one you definitely want to watch. The good news is that episodes for DAIMA are now live, and if you want to keep up to date with the anime, we also have a handy guide on theDragon Ball Daima release schedule.
If you need more recommendations, check out our list of thebest anime on Netflixthat you can watch right now! We also have a handy guide on how to watchBleach in orderif you need more Shonen fun.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”