The Best Dragonball Z Movies

Have you ever seen an animated feature in the US with more than four or five theatrical movies? Chances are, you have. In Japan, popular anime series Dragonball Z has had more than double that number: thirteen, to be exact. As an up and coming Dragonball Z fan, how can you shift out the good ones from the bad? Hopefully this article will help you. Many of the Dragonball Z movies are admittedly quite formulaic, but you can shift out the gold from the dirt if you look hard enough. Here are five of the most highly recommended Dragonball Z films I believe that you should check out.

1. Dead Zone
If you want to start your DBZ movie experience, the first movie is the way to go. Goku's son Gohan gets kidnapped by the evil Garlic Jr., who wants to use his Dragonball, along with the other six he's collected, to summon the Eternal Dragon and grant his wish for immortality. It's up to Goku to save the day, of course. This movie serves as a good introduction to several key characters, including Goku, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo. Fighting is a lot more hand to hand than in later movies, when energy blasts become more commonplace. The action is intense and enjoyable. Garlic Jr. makes a memorable villain, actually going through with his wish for eternal life, making him quite the formidable opponent.

2. Cooler's Revenge
After his defeat of the powerful villain Freiza, Goku is ready to take it easy on a nice relaxing camping trip. The relaxation doesn't last long, as Frieza's brother Cooler has come to Earth to avenge his death. The result is a frantic struggle for survival. All of the characters get to showcase their talents here. I found myself constantly wondering exactly what was going to happen next. Unlike many of the movies, this one actually seemed to have a decent storyline outside of mindless fighting. Cooler is a vicious and evil character, and Goku's battle against him proves to be quite impressive, especially when he takes it to the next level. To find out what I mean (chances are you already know, though), watch the movie yourself.