The essential episodes of Dragon Ball Z

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Dragon Ball Z — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · April 26, 1989 · 30m

   The New Threat8.5

   Mini Goku is Just Precious! I'm GohanWith no new battles to fight, Goku has been living a quiet life in the countryside with his wife Chi-chi and their son Gohan! While Goku makes plans to spend a happy day with friends on Master Roshi's island, a powerful new threat is on its way to Earth. And the arrival of this sinister alien could spell disaster for Goku and his friends!

2. 02

   S01E03 · Season 1 peak · May 10, 1989 · 30m

   Unlikely Alliance9.0

   Alright! This is the Strongest Combo on Earth!Raditz has kidnapped Gohan! And unless Goku agrees to forsake his friends and the people of Earth by joining the sinister Saiyan, he may never see his son again! All hope is not lost, however, as a second uninvited guest arrives on the island and Goku forges an unlikely alliance!

3. 03

   S01E04 · Top rated · May 17, 1989 · 30m

   Piccolo's Plan9.0

   Piccolo's Trump Card! Gohan is a CrybabyThe situation looks bleak for Goku and Piccolo, as Raditz easily deflects every attack they send his way. But Piccolo may have a way to stop the sinister Saiyan. He's perfected a powerful new attack... the Special Beam Cannon! There's only one problem. Piccolo needs time to gather the energy for the blast, which means Goku will have to last for five minutes against Raditz alone!

4. 04

   S01E14 · Top rated · August 2, 1989 · 30m

   Princess Snake9.0

   Such Sweet Temptation! The Snake Princess's HospitalityKrillin and the others begin their training at Kami's Lookout. Then, Goku returns to Snake Way and discovers a mansion along the way, where he is drawn in by a mysterious force. What's more, the owner of the mansion, the Snake Princess, falls in love with Goku at first sight. She uses various tactics to try and stop him, but Goku evades all of her temptations and tries to hurry on.

5. 05

   S02E06 · Season 2 peak · April 25, 1990 · 30m

   Frieza Strikes!9.0

   Vegeta's Ambition! I am the Greatest Warrior in the Universe!!Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma are horrified to see Vegeta's space pod land on Planet Namek, but the Saiyan Prince is the least of their problems. Yet another epically evil villain has come to Namek in search of the Dragon Balls!

6. 06

   S03E23 · Season 3 peak · July 3, 1991 · 30m

   Namek's Destruction9.5

   The Destruction of Planet Namek?! A Demonic Flash Penetrates the GroundFinding himself no match for Goku, Frieza attacks Planet Namek! Unable to react in time, Goku is forced to watch helplessly as the fiery blast rips through the planet.

7. 07

   S03E24 · Top rated · July 10, 1991 · 30m

   A Final Attack9.5

   I Am Going To Win… Risking Survival, A Final AttackWith only minutes to go before the planet explodes, Frieza reaches his maximum power!

8. 08

   S03E25 · Top rated · July 17, 1991 · 30m

   Approaching Destruction9.5

   Shenlong, Fly Through Space!! The Time of Namek's Destruction Draws NearThe battle between Goku and Frieza rages on! Back on Earth, the seven Dragon Balls have been restored.

9. 09

   S03E26 · Top rated · July 24, 1991 · 30m

   Gohan Returns9.5

   I am Son Goku's Son!! Gohan Returns to the BattlefieldFrieza's victims have been wished back to life, but as they begin to rise, Goku falls - overwhelmed by Frieza's devastating assault.

10. 10

    S04E09 · Season 4 peak · November 13, 1991 · 30m

    Brief Chance for Victory9.0

    Gohan's Brief Chance for Victory!! Destroy Planet Makyō…Blinded by rage and desperate to destroy his enemies, Garlic Junior uses his power to open up the Dead Zone!

11. 11

    S05E01 · Season 5 peak · May 20, 1992 · 30m

    Seized with Fear8.5

    Trunks and Krillin join Bulma at the crash site of the mysterious time capsule and find an eerie clue: the shell of a large, locust-like creature! Whatever arrived in the time capsule isn't human, and it's on the loose!

12. 12

    S06E08 · Season 6 peak · February 3, 1993 · 30m

    Dende's Dragon9.0

    Dende's New Occupation!! The Dragon Balls are RevivedWith help from King Kai, Goku travels to Namek to recruit a new guardian for the Earth! Most of the Namekians refuse the offer, but there's one little guy who can't wait to go! Dende is back, and he's going to create a new Dragon!

13. 13

    S07E16 · Season 7 peak · December 15, 1993 · 30m

    The World Tournament8.5

    No Small Matter!! Little TrunksThe action begins as the World Martial Arts Tournament opens with the Junior Division! Thirty-five young fighters vie for the prize, but the matches prove to be more comedy than competition - until Trunks steps into the ring!

14. 14

    S08E01 · Season 8 peak · March 9, 1994 · 30m

    The Wizard's Curse8.5

    The Man Behind the Curtain Appears!! The Evil Mage BabidiThe Z-Fighters race to stop Babidi's cronies from delivering the pure energy that will be used resurrect the dreaded Majin Buu. Will they find Babidis hidden spaceship in time?

15. 15

    S09E38 · Series finale · January 31, 1996 · 30m

    Goku's Next Journey

    Even Stronger!! Goku's Dream is Super-HugeGoku takes Uub on as his student, and bids goodbye to his family and friends as he embarks on a new adventure.