Dragon Ball Z is the longest and often considered the best part of Akira Toriyama’s famous shonen series.
It introduces many key elements of the franchise, such as Super Saiyan transformations, fusion techniques, and adventures in Other World and space.
With nearly 300 episodes, the series showcases an exciting, evolving story where characters grow and face ever-greater challenges.
In addition to the TV episodes, Dragon Ball Z also features over a dozen movies that highlight epic villains and dramatic scenarios too large for the TV show.
While some of these films, like Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, Fusion Reborn, and The Return of Cooler, are well-known and celebrated, there are other films in the series that have not received as much recognition despite their quality.
These movies expand on the rich world of Dragon Ball Z, offering fans more of the thrilling action and dramatic moments they love.
While some films are widely praised, others deserve more attention for their contributions to the franchise and the unique stories they tell.
1) Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly is the third movie featuring the popular villain Broly, who has since become a significant character in Dragon Ball Super.
Unfortunately, this film falls short compared to the earlier movies featuring Broly. Released only four months after Broly – Second Coming, Bio-Broly struggles to make an impact and is considered one of the less effective films in the Dragon Ball Z series.
Despite its shortcomings, the film has some redeeming qualities if approached with the right mindset.
In Bio-Broly, the main antagonist lacks the depth of the original Broly and comes across as a mere clone without clear motivation. The Bio-Warriors, who also pose a threat, fail to make a strong impression.
However, the film shifts focus to Goten and Trunks, giving them a chance to be the heroes, with Android 18 and Krillin playing significant supporting roles.
Although the absence of Goku and Vegeta initially frustrated fans, this decision is now seen as a creative choice that allowed the film to explore new dynamics.
One of the highlights of Bio-Broly is its impressive animation. The film features some beautiful scenes that enhance the experience.
While the movie may not match the excitement of earlier Broly films, it still offers something valuable and fresh for fans willing to look beyond its flaws.
2) Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Cooler is a well-known villain in Dragon Ball Z, recognized for his role in Cooler’s Revenge and its sequel, The Return of Cooler.
While many fans prefer the sequel due to its inclusion of Vegeta and a larger scale battle, the original film, Cooler’s Revenge, deserves more appreciation.
It focuses on Cooler’s personal vendetta against Goku and his deep resentment towards his deceased brother, Frieza.
In Cooler’s Revenge, Cooler’s fight with Goku is intense and emotionally charged, showcasing his strong hatred and adding depth to his character.
The movie is visually impressive, with a powerful battle between the two rivals. Cooler’s supporting villains, the Armored Squadron, are often overlooked but are notable for their strength and ability to challenge Goku and Piccolo.
The film also highlights Piccolo’s combat skills, showing how dangerous he can be when pushed to his limits.
While The Return of Cooler might be more popular for its grander scope and featuring Vegeta, Cooler’s Revenge remains a standout film due to its personal conflict and impressive visuals.
3) Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z’s third film, The Tree of Might, often gets labeled as the Evil Goku movie due to its villain Turles, who looks strikingly similar to Goku.
Despite this, the film has much more to offer than just its intriguing premise of an evil Saiyan. Set before Goku achieves Super Saiyan strength, The Tree of Might is sometimes overlooked because it lacks the high-powered transformations seen in later films.
However, this setting actually highlights the movie’s strengths, culminating in a significant Saiyan battle that echoes Goku’s fight against Vegeta in the Saiyan Saga.
Turles, the antagonist, brings a unique twist to the story, and the concept of the Tree of Might, which later appears in other Dragon Ball media, adds depth to the plot.
What makes this film stand out is its inclusion of all the original Z-Fighters Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu who join forces with Goku in the climactic battle.
Their participation in the fight gives each character a role and showcases their individual strengths, adding layers to the movie beyond its action sequences.
The Tree of Might conveys a strong environmental message, setting it apart from other films that focus solely on battles.
This message, combined with the engaging action and the presence of all the original Z-Fighters, makes The Tree of Might a film deserving of more recognition within the Dragon Ball Z series.
4) Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming
Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan is widely celebrated as one of the best Dragon Ball Z movies, and its sequel, Broly – Second Coming, continues the story but is often seen as a step down.
Although it may seem like a repeat of the first film, Broly – Second Coming stands out due to its different focus.
Instead of featuring Goku and Vegeta, this movie highlights Gohan as the main hero, giving him a chance to shine.
The film’s climax, where Super Saiyan 2 Gohan battles Broly, is intense and arguably surpasses the first movie’s final showdown.
The Family Kamehameha used to defeat Broly is a powerful and emotional ending that resonates strongly with fans.
The inclusion of Videl adds another layer to the story, as her struggle against Broly helps trigger Gohan’s fierce determination.
Broly – Second Coming may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, but it offers a fresh perspective on Broly and features some standout moments, especially with Gohan in the spotlight and the dramatic Family Kamehameha.
5) Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon is the 13th and final movie in the series before the transition to *Dragon Ball Super* nearly twenty years later.
As the last film in the franchise, it carries high expectations but struggles to stand out due to its complex plot involving the Konatsians’ history.
The main villain, Hirudegarn, is a giant monster similar to Godzilla that causes chaos in West City. Hirudegarn is tricky because he is mostly intangible, and his two halves are hidden inside characters Tapion and Minotia.
The film focuses heavily on Tapion and Minotia, who play central roles in the story. Although Wrath of the Dragon can be confusing on a first watch due to its intricate details, it is valued for its unique and ambitious approach.
The scale of disaster portrayed in the movie is immense, creating a real sense of danger and urgency.
While Wrath of the Dragon might not reach the peak excitement of earlier films, such as the one featuring Gogeta, it still delivers a thrilling conclusion with Super Saiyan 3 Goku.
The film’s ending, featuring Goku’s use of the new Dragon Fist technique, is particularly memorable and satisfying for fans.
6) Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! continues the series’ theme of battling evil robots, introducing new Androids 13, 14, and 15, who are unleashed by Dr. Gero’s supercomputer.
Unlike the earlier, more memorable Androids like 16, 17, and 18, these new villains don’t have the same impact or depth.
The movie’s main plot revolves around these Androids being sent to kill Goku, which provides a solid basis for the story.
One highlight of the film is that it features Future Trunks, adding fresh and exciting elements to the movie.
His involvement brings some of the best moments in the film, and it’s a treat to see Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks each taking on their own Android foes.
The movie marks a shift towards focusing more on Saiyan characters, which adds to its appeal.
The animation in Super Android 13! is impressive, with a particularly stunning final battle between Goku and Super Android 13.
The movie also introduces the Spirit Bomb Super Saiyan transformation, which is an interesting concept that deserves more recognition.
While the Androids in this film might not be as memorable as their predecessors, the movie still offers exciting action and beautiful animation.
7) Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is the first movie in the series and, while it has its flaws, it has some redeeming qualities.
The film features a smaller cast, and Goku is missing his signature techniques, as it is set before the start of Dragon Ball Z when Goku and Piccolo are still enemies.
Despite these limitations, Dead Zone manages to be compelling by focusing on its core elements.
The movie effectively highlights Gohan’s potential and gives a rare showcase of Kami’s martial arts skills, which is not often seen in the series.
The demons working for the villain, Garlic Jr., are designed to be quite scary, adding to the film’s tension.
One unique aspect of Dead Zone is that it includes Garlic Jr. successfully using the Dragon Balls to gain immortality, setting it apart from other Dragon Ball Z films where villains often fail in their wishes.
Though often criticized, Dead Zone offers a tighter, more focused story compared to the longer Garlic Jr. Saga in the anime.
The film’s 41-minute runtime helps it deliver a straightforward and engaging experience, making it a notable entry in the Dragon Ball Z movie lineup.
8) Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Bojack Unbound is a Dragon Ball Z movie that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, despite being a strong entry in the franchise.
Unlike many other films, it focuses on Gohan as the main character while Goku is away in the Other World after his fight with Cell.
The movie starts with a seemingly light-hearted martial arts tournament, the Intergalactic World Tournament, which quickly takes a darker turn.
The film’s main villains, Bojack and his Galaxy Soldiers, are some of the most inventive and memorable foes in Dragon Ball Z movies.
Bojack, along with his henchmen Kogu, Zangya, Bido, and Bujin, bring a fresh challenge to the heroes. The presence of Super Saiyan 2 Gohan is a highlight, showcasing his strength and adding excitement to the story.
Bojack Unbound also shines by giving other characters their moment to shine. Future Trunks, Piccolo, Krillin, and Tien all play significant roles in fighting against the space pirates, making the film a well-rounded Dragon Ball Z experience. Although it often flies under the radar, it’s a solid showcase of Gohan and the broader cast.
9) Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug is often criticized as one of the less impressive movies in the franchise, but it has some unique aspects that deserve more recognition.
The film’s main villain, Lord Slug, is an evil Namekian, which is a rare and intriguing choice for a Dragon Ball Z antagonist. This different approach adds a fresh twist to the movie and makes it stand out from others.
Lord Slug uses several classic Namekian techniques, such as growing to a giant size, regenerating, and using his Demon Hand ability, which shows he is a serious threat.
The way he is ultimately defeated is quite inventive, and it’s worth noting that Piccolo takes a central role in this story, highlighting his importance in the Dragon Ball Z.
The plot of Lord Slug includes some unusual elements, like the villain’s plan to block out the sun, freeze the planet, and transform Earth into a spaceship.
This ambitious scheme is more original compared to the typical villainous goals seen in other Dragon Ball Z movies, adding depth to the story.
10) Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
The early Dragon Ball Z movies are often seen as fun but not as impactful as later ones, and The World’s Strongest is no exception.
This second movie takes a more campy approach, mixing Dragon Ball Z’s action with sci-fi elements.
The story revolves around Dr. Kochin using the Dragon Balls to bring back his leader, Dr. Wheelo, whose body was destroyed, leaving only his brain.
Dr. Wheelo tries to find a new body to inhabit while controlling a giant robot, creating an unusual and visually striking conflict.
In The World’s Strongest, Goku’s Kaio-Ken Attack and Spirit Bomb are featured prominently, highlighting their importance as recent additions to his arsenal at the time.
The film also gives Master Roshi a significant role, showing him in several fights against Dr. Wheelo’s minions, the Bio-Men.
The movie’s setting, with its icy world and eerie laboratory, helps create intense and memorable battles.
Despite being an early film in the Dragon Ball Z series, The World’s Strongest deserves more recognition.
Its inventive battle scenes, especially the fight between Goku and Dr. Wheelo’s giant mecha, and its use of Goku’s new techniques make it a standout entry that’s often overlooked.
