Dragon Ball is one of the longest-running and most beloved anime franchises in history. Since its initial debut with the titular series Dragon Ball in 1986, the story has evolved dramatically over each new series.
Along with the main story created by Akira Toriyama, there has been plenty of movies as well as the secular series Dragon Ball GT that have told further stories of characters from within the Dragon Ball canon.
If you’re new to the franchise and looking for the best way to consume all it has to offer, there are two different routes you can choose. The first is to only watch the content considered canon, ruling out the films and noncanonical episodes, and the second would be to consume everything the world of Dragon Ball has to offer.
Here is the watch order for both of those options.
Dragon Ball Canon Watch Order
Sticking to only the cannon Dragon Ball series is going to shrink down the watch time substantially, but you’ll still be provided with everything to experience the story of Goku and his Saiyan adventures.
Dragon Ball, complete series
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 1 – 107
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (Special Episode)
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 108 – 139
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (Special Episode)
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 140 – End
Dragon Ball Super, complete series
Dragon Ball Chronological Watch Order
If you’ve got the time and love for the franchise then here is the best way to take in everything it has to offer.
Dragon Ball, complete series / Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle, Mystical Adventure (These films take place within the Dragon Ball time period but tell a completely different story.
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 1 – 35
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 36 – 107
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (Special Episode)
Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (Special Episode)
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 107-139
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (Special Episode)
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 140 – 165
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiya-jin Zetsumentsu Keikaku
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 166 – 194
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 195 – 209
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 210 – 287
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of Dragon
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 288 – End
Dragon Ball: Hey! Son Goku and Friends Return!!
Dragon Ball GT, complete series
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 1 – 14 / Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 15 – 27 / Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection “F”
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 28 – End
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Super Dragon Ball Heroes, complete series
