Kai, not GT
Dragon Ballwatch order 2026
· Dragon Ball, Z, Kai, Super, Daima, and the modern films are on Crunchyroll in most regions.
The Dragon Ball watch order is simple once you ignore the padding. Watch the 1986 series, then Dragon Ball Z Kai instead of the 291-episode Z, then Daima, then the modern films and Super. Kai is the same story as Z with the stalls cut. You do not watch both.
Daima (2024–2025) sits in the quiet after Majin Buu and before Beerus. It is not an alternate ending and it is not a sequel to Super. Dragon Ball GT is the 1996 anime-original sequel. It was never folded into this canon. Leave it off a first watch.
The canon path, which is also the beginner path. Kai replaces Z. GT is not on it. If you watch Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, start Super at episode 28.
This cut
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8 titles · 194h 42m
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Goku grows up
1- 01
01Dragon Ball
1986
Series · 61h 12mEssential
153 episodes, 1986–1989. Goku as a child through the 23rd World Tournament. Start here even if you only know Z.
Where to watch1986
The Z story, without the padding
1- 02
02Dragon Ball Z Kai
2009
Series · 66h 48mEssential
The recut of Z, including The Final Chapters, finished in 2015. Same story, far less padding. This is the Z to watch.
Where to watch2009
After Buu, before the gods
3- 03
03Dragon Ball Daima
2024
Series · 8hEssential
20 episodes, 2024–2025. Set in the peace after Majin Buu and before Beerus wakes up. Toriyama oversaw the story. Watch it after Kai and before Battle of Gods.
Where to watch2024
- 04
04Battle of Gods
2013
Movie · 1h 25mEssential
Beerus arrives. Set after the Buu saga and after Daima.
Where to watch2013
- 05
05Resurrection F
2015
Movie · 1h 34mEssential
Frieza's return. Watch before Super, or accept that Super retells it.
Where to watch2015
Super
3- 06
06Dragon Ball Super
2015
Series · 52h 24mEssential
131 episodes. Universe 6, Future Trunks, the Tournament of Power. Episodes 1–27 retell the two films. If you watched the films, start at episode 28.
Where to watch2015
- 07
07Dragon Ball Super: Broly
2018
Movie · 1h 40mEssential
After the Tournament of Power. Canon, and a new version of Broly.
Where to watch2018
- 08
08Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
2022
Movie · 1h 39mEssential
The latest canon film. Gohan and Piccolo lead. Watch after Broly.
Where to watch2022
Runtimes are estimates. Series minutes assume a typical episode length, not a stopwatch.
More guides: One Piece · Naruto / Boruto · Gundam
FAQ
Before you press play
Should I watch Dragon Ball Z or Kai?
Kai. It is Z with the filler and the stretched fights cut down, including the Buu saga in The Final Chapters. Watch the original Z only if you specifically want the 1990s broadcast.
Where does Dragon Ball Daima fit?
After Z Kai and before Battle of Gods. The story is set in the peace after Majin Buu, before Beerus looks for a Super Saiyan God.
Is Dragon Ball GT canon?
No. It is an anime-original sequel from 1996. Super and the films after Battle of Gods ignore it. Watch it after everything else, or not at all.
Do I watch the Battle of Gods movie and Super?
Watch the movie, then Resurrection F, then Super starting around episode 28. The early Super episodes retell those two films at TV length.