With the recent success of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, it’s worth taking some time to revisit the classics to see where the new hit fits in. Television specials have been included in this list because of their monumental impact on the franchise. One can hardly think of great Dragon Ball stories without including them in the mix.

These movies span many years, plenty of characters, and even several changes to the animation. While that’s a lot of time and a lot of growth, there's one thing that hasn’t changed - The Dragon Ball movies deliver some of the best action you’ll see from iconic heroes and villains you’ve come to love.

10 10/10 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection Of F

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection of F: Golden Frieza Close-Up

The return of Frieza has a lot going for it. A newly rebuilt Frieza Force, Super Saiyan Blue, Golden Frieza, and some sharp animation with entertaining fights. It’s a solid Dragon Ball movie but falls short of being a great one. The film spends a little too much time on our earth heroes fighting Frieza’s goons.

When Goku, Vegeta, Whis, and Beerus show up, the tension just isn’t there. The fight doesn’t feel like a desperate attempt to save the day. Instead, it feels like a training session for the Saiyans, right down to bickering over who gets to fight Frieza. Ultimately, it’s Whis who saves the day by turning back time and teaching Goku a lesson in the process. Vegeta is also robbed of his revenge against Frieza. Despite all of its faults, it’s still an entertaining piece of Dragon Ball media.

9 9/10 Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge

Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge Cooler Stepping On Goku

The appearance of Cooler makes for a good Dragon Ball movie with some great balance in the storytelling. Goku is out of commission for a decent amount of this film, leaving room for our other heroes to have their shining moments as well.

The audience also gets to see a fearful Goku, something not often seen in the movies or the show. While the action is good and the characters are entertaining, this movie doesn’t have the most original plot. It’s yet another revenge piece that proves to be entertaining, if a bit shallow, fun.

8 8/10 Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone Goku And Piccolo Face Off Against Garlic Jr.

There’s something positively nostalgic about Dead Zone, Garlic Junior, and the uneasy team-up of Piccolo and Goku here. Before getting to Garlic Junior himself (who has been granted the wish of immortality), Goku and Piccolo have to fight through some formidable henchman.

Eventually, Garlic Junior opens the Dead Zone, a portal ready to suck up everyone and everything nearby. While the heroes put up a good fight, it’s Gohan who ultimately loses control and sends Garlic Junior into the Dead Zone in an overwhelming display of raw power. The fights are interesting. The story is a little predictable but still solid. It stands up as a good piece of Dragon Ball media, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other movies on this list.

7 7/10 Dragon Ball Z: Wrath Of The Dragon

Dragon Ball : Wrath Of The Dragon Tapion Close-Up

This movie features the story of Tapion, a sword-wielding, ocarina-playing hero from a bygone age. It’s very cool, though his freedom (granted by the dragon balls) comes with the cost of an enormous city-destroying monster (Hirudegarn) somewhat bound to Tapion.

The Z Fighters struggle against this monster, who is intangible except when it’s attacking. Ultimately, it’s Goku who gets the final strike on Hirudegarn. While Goku debuts an incredible new move, it also feels like Tapion should have dealt the final blow. When all is said and done, this is one of the better Dragon Ball movies with an interesting story and a dynamic new character.

6 6/10 Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn Gogeta Close-Up

This is a gorgeous movie with great animation and fantastical backgrounds. Janemba makes for a terrifying yet simple villain capable of overwhelming Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 form. In addition to that, the barrier between the living world and the world of the dead is broken, allowing the dead to come back.

The world is thrown into chaos, which makes for a thrilling ride. This movie also has one of the few instances where Shenron is summoned, and the wish made is beyond his considerable power. It’s all topped off by the first appearance of Gogeta, the immensely powerful fusion of Goku and Vegeta. It’s a fun jaunt through the Dragon Ball world held back only by a somewhat uninteresting villain.

5 5/10 Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Beerus Facing Super Saiyan God Goku

This is the first appearance of Beerus and Whis, characters who go on to become major players in Dragon Ball Super. While the plot ultimately results in Goku fighting Beerus to save the Earth, the existence of figures like a god of destruction builds up some good Dragon Ball lore. This is also the first appearance of the Super Saiyan God transformation, an achievement possible only through Saiyans coming together instead of relying on individual strength.

Beerus’ overwhelming power not only enhances the film's fight scenes but also leads to some hilarious moments of Vegeta trying to keep the god of destruction calm and happy. The action and humor of this movie help it land firmly in the center of this list.

4 4/10 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Gohan And Piccolo Back To Back

While audiences seem to have mixed feelings about the change of animation in this film, it has been an overwhelming success at the box office. Goku and Vegeta are set aside so the story could focus on Gohan and Piccolo. Faced with a new and powerful threat, they have to rise to the occasion without the help of their strongest fighters.

It should also be noted that this film brings back some classic Dragon Ball humor. From the mannerisms of the villains to Bulma’s misuse of the dragon balls, the audience is treated to many laughs reminiscent of older Dragon Ball stories. It’s a great movie, and it shows that sometimes Dragon Ball is at its best when focusing on its side warriors. For those reasons and more, this movie firmly makes up the top half of this list.

3 3/10 Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father Of Goku

Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - Father Of Goku Bardock Posing

When this special came out, it was the most extensive look at Saiyans and their lore that audiences had ever seen. Through a wild series of events, Bardock is cursed with the ability to see the future, giving him a glimpse of Frieza’s betrayal.

Being able to see the destruction of his people ahead of time leaves Bardock in a hopeless place. He ultimately rushes out to meet Frieza in the final moments of the Saiyans, but being able to see the future doesn’t mean he can change it. This is one of the best pieces of Dragon Ball media to hit screens, and it’s one that still holds up as a great look into Goku’s heritage.

2 2/10 Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks

Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks Gohan And Trunks

This is where it all began for Trunks, the fan-favorite character forced to become a warrior in the hopes of saving his world. Trained by a powerful and battle-hardened Gohan, Trunks lives each day under the threat of the diabolical androids wiping out anything and everything around them.

This film adds heaps of context to the time-traveling warrior. The audience is exposed to the full horrors of a ruined future and the emotional story of a student losing his mentor. By the time the credits roll, you can’t help but feel the plight of Trunks and the incredible weight on his shoulders. The storytelling within this special makes it an easy contender for number two on this list.

1 1/10 Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Dragon Ball Super: Broly Goku Fighting Broly

Turning Broly into a sympathetic character instead of a full-on villain was a stroke of genius. With so few Saiyans left, it’s smart to keep him around for future development. While Broly eventually goes into his full monster mode with no control over his anger or actions, the moments leading up to it give the audience something to feel for. Such a change also allows the character to have a future after all the fighting is done.

Bringing on another legendary warrior - someone who can contend with Goku and Vegeta - is something the series could use going forward. If Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is any indication, we’ll be seeing more of Broly in the future. This movie is full of action, heart-pounding music, and animation that looks better than what every Dragon Ball project had. It’s a nearly perfect Dragon Ball movie and easily tops this list.