Dragon Ball movies are exciting to watch the first time, offering flashy fights and nostalgia. But after another viewing, some of these films just don’t hit the same way. Their flaws become hard to ignore, the stories feel thin, or newer additions in the franchise make old ones seem less impressive. This article counts down 13 Dragon Ball movies that fans find less and less enjoyable every time they revisit them, with an honest look at why they just don’t hold up for many viewers.
If you’re a fan who loves Dragon Ball’s best moments, you know how thrilling the first watch of a new movie can be. But sometimes, a rewatch reveals problems with pacing, recycled plots, or animation that doesn’t meet expectations anymore. For these films, even fans agree they’re okay for a one-time experience but feel forgettable or underwhelming next time around. Let’s see which movies didn’t stand the test of time for repeat viewings.
13 Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
Bio-Broly often gets brought up as one of the least favorite Dragon Ball Z movies for a reason. The movie starts with a fun team-up: Goten, Trunks, Android 18, and Mr. Satan have great chemistry, and the setup promises something different from the usual formula. Early on, the story actually has a lighthearted tone that feels unique within the Dragon Ball Z films.
Unfortunately, everything changes once Bio-Broly arrives. What follows is a shift away from the playful aspects, and the movie gets bogged down by a strange, sludge-filled monster fight. Many viewers find it hard to care about the villain’s motivation or even feel excitement in the action scenes.
By its final third, the movie loses even the strong parts of its cast. The villain is so far removed from classic Dragon Ball Z threats that even longtime fans have trouble staying invested. Bio-Broly might be interesting to see once for the novelty, but it rarely rewards those who go back for a second look.
If you love the quirky interactions of Goten and Trunks, it’s disappointing that these moments don’t last. The muddy animation as Broly mutates, combined with a forgettable ending, makes repeated watches harder each time.
12 Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure
Mystical Adventure is the last of the original Dragon Ball movies, mixing plots from the Red Ribbon Army arc and the World Martial Arts Tournament. At first, there’s a lot to enjoy. There are fun battles and plenty of classic characters re-imagined in clever ways.
The main problem with Mystical Adventure comes in its pacing, especially toward the end. The film is packed with exciting scenes, but the third act feels rushed. Resolutions happen too quickly, so emotional payoffs don’t get enough time.
On a first watch, it’s easy to get carried away by the colorful animation and creative reinterpretations. But on a rewatch, viewers often notice that the storytelling falls apart. It becomes clear how the movie tries to do too much and doesn’t resolve its conflicts satisfyingly.
The result is a movie that’s pretty to look at and full of nostalgia, but not strong enough to hold attention once the surprises are gone. Mystical Adventure is fun in pieces, but the whole doesn’t land as hard on repeating viewings.
If you’re hoping for a Dragon Ball movie with staying power, this isn’t it. It’s a nice entry point for newcomers, but for longtime fans, it doesn’t stand up well to repeated watches.
11 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
When Resurrection ‘F’ hit theaters, it drew excitement from fans with the return of Frieza and flashy new transformations. The movie has high production values, colorful animation, and crowd-pleasing action. But after the original thrill cools down, fans notice the film’s weak points.
This movie’s story is very thin compared to other Dragon Ball Z movies. There’s little tension, and much of the drama feels forced. It’s loaded with fan service but often at the cost of smart writing or character development.
While Resurrection ‘F’ was praised when it came out, over time fans have grown more critical. The cool new forms and resurrected villain mask a rushed story and predictable ending. Once the “wow” factor fades, it’s clear how the movie falls short.
Additionally, the use of CGI in some scenes has not aged well. Some even say Resurrection ‘F’ is responsible for weaker trends in Dragon Ball Super that followed. The first-watch hype is high, but with each repeat, it’s easier to see why fans rarely return to this movie.
10 Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming
Broly – Second Coming tries to shake up the formula by putting Goten, Trunks, and Videl front and center, searching for the Dragon Balls. For much of the movie, this new trio’s dynamic is a highlight. There’s humor and a fresh sense of adventure that stands out among Dragon Ball Z films.
But the plot grinds to a halt once Broly returns. Fans have pointed out that the movie’s second half is basically just Broly beating up the young heroes for an extended period. The creativity and fun of the first half do not continue into the climax.
After a few repeated watches, the movie’s flaws become much more obvious. The long, mostly one-sided fight scenes lose excitement and the story doesn’t build on its promising start. It feels more like padding than a real payoff.
Even though the ending features a memorable “Family Kamehameha,” it can’t save the movie from being largely forgettable. Many fans wish the story had just focused on Goten, Trunks, and Videl’s adventure and left Broly out entirely. Second Coming is a case of wasted potential on rewatch.
9 Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Cooler’s Revenge is a visually stylish Dragon Ball Z film that’s mostly known for its action. The animation is a highlight, and for a first-time viewer, the fights and soundtrack can be exciting. Cooler himself is a memorable villain, at least at first encounter.
Yet, under the surface, the story is very simple. Cooler comes to Earth, fights the heroes, and gets defeated by Goku. There’s not much development, and even the characters don’t feel challenged outside of the battles.
After watching it once, the lack of substance becomes clearer. The action scenes aren’t enough to warrant coming back, and there’s little to discover in terms of lore or character moments. Many fans find other Dragon Ball movies offer better fights and more interesting animation, especially newer releases.
Cooler’s Revenge isn’t a bad film, but repeated viewings highlight how much it leans on visuals over story or emotional engagement. For those who love non-stop action, it’s a treat. For everyone else, it loses value fast.
8 Dragon Ball: The Path to Power
The Path to Power was created as an anniversary film, blending high-quality late ’90s animation with the original Dragon Ball art style. It retells the early parts of Goku’s story, including his bond with Android 8 and battles with the Red Ribbon Army.
The film is praised for its gorgeous animation and a few truly memorable moments. But on a rewatch, the plot reveals its major flaw: The story tries to fit too much into too short a time. Scenes are rushed and important character moments don’t get enough depth to be impactful.
After so many adaptations of Dragon Ball’s early story, the movie doesn’t add anything new for longtime fans. The excitement of “seeing it again” is lost when a viewer realizes they’ve seen these events handled better elsewhere, like in the original anime or manga.
Most fans agree The Path to Power is a beautiful introduction to the series for newcomers, but for repeat viewers, it’s tough to find a reason to go back. The magic fades when the movie’s glossy look can’t cover up its shallow storytelling after the first viewing.
7 Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
The Tree of Might is known for being the Dragon Ball Z movie that introduced the “formula” most of the other films would follow: a new villain invades with minions, the Z-Fighters fail, and Goku saves the day. This makes it seem fresh the first time, but after watching it again, and seeing later movies follow the exact same template, the cracks start to show.
There are interesting characters like Turles, who looks just like Goku, and it’s nice to see Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu included. But on rewatch, most of them barely impact the story. The plot’s promise to be unique is replaced with a generic battle.
“Icarus” the dragon and the idea of a world tree draining Earth’s energy do make this movie memorable, but even those become less distinct the more you see similar tricks used in future installments. Tree of Might stands out less with each rewatch.
Fans often say that all the things that seemed new at first feel tired or repeated after you’ve watched the movie a couple of times and seen what came next in the franchise.
6 Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Curse of the Blood Rubies was the very first Dragon Ball movie, combining recap elements of the Pilaf Saga with an original story about a new villain, Gurumes. At its release, it gave fans something familiar yet slightly different, and the music and atmosphere helped set the mood for a new era of Dragon Ball films.
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Upon closer inspection, Curse of the Blood Rubies feels rushed. The movie jumps from moment to moment, not letting scenes breathe or giving characters much time to develop. The plot quickly loses its emotional impact once the novelty of a “retelling” has worn off.
Many fans compare the film’s condensed style to stories told much better in the original series. The main new character, Pansy, is decent, but not strong enough to carry the movie for repeat viewings.
The movie can feel unnecessary after a viewer has seen the early Dragon Ball story in better forms. It’s an early entry that’s now mostly for completists and nostalgia seekers rather than anyone hoping for a rewatchable classic.
5 Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan once stood out in the franchise for introducing a massive new foe and bringing intensity rarely seen in earlier films. The fights are brutal, the animation memorable, and Broly’s rampage is iconic. It’s a big event the first time you see it.
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But since the release of Dragon Ball Super: Broly, it’s become tough to appreciate the original film on a second watch. Dragon Ball Super’s version is canon and develops Broly’s character much better, leaving the older movie feeling flat by comparison.
After a rewatch, it’s clear that this film relies heavily on spectacle over story. A large part of the running time is spent just watching Broly trash the Z-Fighters in extended fight sequences. For some, that’s exciting, but for others, it’s hard to care about the characters or stakes as much.
The villain’s motivations and backstory don’t feel nearly as interesting when the viewer knows there’s a better, richer version of the character out there. Original Broly fans might find it worth a single revisit, but most people recommend just sticking with the newer film.
4 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the most recent entry at the moment, a movie with exciting ideas, bold visuals, and a spotlight on Gohan and Piccolo. The first two-thirds are filled with energy and creativity, making a lot of promises.
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But when the climax arrives, it all starts to fall apart. The movie gears up to an epic battle, but then repeats the Cell saga with a fight against “Cell Max.” Many viewers feel the story sacrifices originality to hit old beats that no longer feel fresh.
The final Gohan transformation is visually cool, but it appears without build-up, and it actually undercuts Piccolo’s arc. The conclusion feels rushed and forced, disappointing viewers who wanted a more satisfying payoff for the characters involved.
On second viewing, fans realize the setup and charm of the film’s first half are let down by its conclusion. It’s a movie full of promise, but it’s harder to love it the more you go back to it.
3 Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Bojack Unbound is remembered for its action and tournament setting, introducing a strong villain and some great group fights. Watching it the first time, it’s a fun ride with new characters, bigger threats, and Gohan stepping up as the lead hero.
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Over time, fans start to see the formula repeat itself. Bojack as a villain is not fleshed out, and after multiple viewings, he doesn’t feel very threatening or memorable compared to other threats. The film’s conclusion is predictable, with Goku breaking the rules to save the day once again.
There’s less surprise in the action and very little new to notice after the first watch. The art and animation don’t stand out as much as the best DBZ movies. Bojack Unbound is one you enjoy once, then rarely think about revisiting.
The movie might be nostalgic for some, but repeated viewings show a lack of depth that stops it from being a rewatch classic.
2 Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Lord Slug is famous for introducing the concept of Super Saiyan before it officially appeared in the series, which gave it a cool factor at the time. Lord Slug himself is a menacing villain on the surface, giving Goku a genuine threat.
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On a rewatch, the movie’s flaws become clearer. The story is a copy of other DBZ movies, with an evil invader arriving, fighting the heroes, and then being defeated. There’s a lot of padding, and the plot doesn’t have anything new to offer.
The action is decent, but it’s not as exciting as later movies, and the animation looks dated now. Lord Slug, as a character, also turns out to be much less interesting than fans remembered from the first time. The novelty of “False Super Saiyan” isn’t enough to make up for the film’s lack of substance.
Fans might revisit for specific moments, but overall this isn’t a movie that rewards multiple viewings, falling short as both a story and a spectacle compared to later entries.
1 Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
Wrath of the Dragon stands out for introducing Tapion and giving Trunks a touching arc. On first viewing, it’s engaging because it promises something different and more character-focused than many previous Dragon Ball Z movies.
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But the movie’s story is thin upon review. Once fans know the outcome and the big moments, there’s not much reason to come back. The movie’s pacing drags in the middle, and the main villain, Hirudegarn, is more monster than character. This makes the final fight exciting but hollow.
Tapion is a cool addition, but his presence doesn’t make up for the lack of depth elsewhere. After a rewatch, it’s easy to notice how the plot relies on melodrama that doesn’t land as hard the second or third time.
Wrath of the Dragon is memorable for a few scenes and for Trunks’ sword, but for fans who prioritize story and meaningful progression, it loses much of its initial magic with each return. Many agree it’s a film that works best the first time you watch it, but not after that.
