How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (2025)

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (1)

If you are wondering how to watch all of Dragon Ball in order, don't worry because you aren't alone. Like most of the best anime in the Shonen category, the Dragon Ball timeline is a complicated beast, featuring 24 movies and over 600 episodes that span multiple series.

However, while Dragon Ball may seem as large as the almighty Shenron, it's still an amazing story that every anime fan should experience. Created by Akira Toriyama in 1984, Dragon Ball is a franchise that has stood the test of time, and with the new anime, Dragon Ball DAIMA, now out, there's never been a better time to dive into all of Goku's adventures.

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:

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (2)

The Dragon Ball timeline gets super complicated and long, so if you are new to the anime, the best way to watch Dragon Ball is in canon order. By sticking to the Dragon Ball canon, you don't have to worry about watching non-canon series like Dragon Ball GT or worrying about catching up on a ton of movies, as only a few are recognized as part of the established timeline.

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:

Dragon Ball [153 episodes]
Dragon Ball Z or Kai [288 episodes]
Dragon Ball DAIMA [ongoing]
Dragon Ball Super [ 131 episodes]
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: all remaining episodes [3 episodes]

How to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (3)

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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Where can I watch Dragon Ball?

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (4)

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 the best streaming service that we'd recommend to anime fans.

Crunchyroll is also the best place to watch Demon Slayer in order, Jujutsu Kaisen in order, and more anime classics.

Are the Dragon Ball movies canon?

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (5)

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 the best anime movies in 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?

How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies) (6)

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 the Dragon Ball Daima release schedule.

If you need more recommendations, check out our list of the best anime on Netflix that you can watch right now! We also have a handy guide on how to watch Bleach in order if you need more Shonen fun.

Emma-Jane Betts

Managing Editor, Evergreens

After reviewing films throughout University and being a cosy game expert for years, I realised that entertainment journalism was my true calling in 2019. Since then, I've started multiple new farms on Stardew Valley and have written for several publications such as The Upcoming, PCGamesN, and Wargamer. I was the resident Guides Editor and horror lover for The Digital Fix before joining the GamesRadar+ team in 2024. As the Managing Editor for Evergreens, I'll be making sure that all the best lists you read on GamesRadar+ are the most helpful and fun pages on the internet!

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