Movies like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! (2008)
The best movies like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! (2008) are Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986), Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993) and One Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014). If Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! hooked you with its animation and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMy Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)8.1/10 from 1,324 votes
- NewestPrincess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseDragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)Also in Japanese
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
The great King Gurumes is searching for the Dragon Balls in order to put a stop to his endless hunger. A young girl named Pansy who lives in the nearby village has had enough of the treachery and decides to seek Muten Rōshi for assistance. Can our heroes save the village and put a stop to the Gurumes Army?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993)
Dr. Raichi is one of the only survivors of the Tuffles, a race that once lived on Planet Plant before the coming of the Saiyans. The Saiyans not only massacred the entire Tuffle race, but also stole their technology and conquered the planet, renaming it Planet Vegeta in honor of their king. Raichi managed to escape with a capsule and found refuge on the Dark Planet, a world at the end of the universe. His only wish is to eradicate the last remaining Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014)
The special takes place during the two year before the Straw Hats reunite on Sabody. Luffy is currently in Rusukaina training to get stronger to take on the New World. However the training is interrupted when Hancock's sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia, are kidnapped by the Byrnndi World, a pirate who was locked away on Level 6 of Impel Down but escaped during Luffy's invasion to save Ace, in order to lure Hancock to him and use her as a hostage against the World Government due to her Shichibukai status. Thus Luffy and Hancock head off to confront him and save Hancock's sisters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRanma 1/2: Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix (1994)
Kuno purchases a strange egg, believing that the mysterious powers of the legendary Phoenix will help him defeat Ranma. But when the egg hatches on his head, the bird goes out of control and wreaks havoc all over Tokyo. Ranma and the gang must use any means necessary to get the Phoenix to leave Kuno's head and fly away.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Quest: Your Story (2019)
Luca follows in his father's footsteps to rescue his mother from evil Ladja. Finding the heavenly hero who wields the Zenithian sword is his only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDream 9 Toriko x One Piece x Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special!! (2013)
A two-part crossover special featuring characters from Dragon Ball Z, One Piece and Toriko.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Hero Academia: You're Next (2024)
In a society devastated by the effects of an all-out war between heroes and villains, a mysterious giant fortress suddenly appears, engulfing towns and people one after another. Then, a man reminiscent of All Might, the 'symbol of peace', stands in front of Izuku and his friends...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDigimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017)
Meicoomon rampages after witnessing Meiko Mochizuki being injured by the man bearing Gennai's likeness. "It would have been better if you hadn't been born..." Meicoomon disappears into the Real World, which has since become distorted. Possessing overwhelming power, she's the key to the world's destruction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: The New Record of Nobita's Spaceblazer (2009)
Nobita finds a passage to a spaceship in another dimension. With their new friends, he and Doraemon fight the cruel leader of an exploited planet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
Earth is peaceful following the Tournament of Power. Realizing that the universes still hold many more strong people yet to see, Goku spends all his days training to reach even greater heights. Then one day, Goku and Vegeta are faced by a Saiyan called 'Broly' who they've never seen before. The Saiyans were supposed to have been almost completely wiped out in the destruction of Planet Vegeta, so what's this one doing on Earth? This encounter between the three Saiyans who have followed completely different destinies turns into a stupendous battle, with even Frieza (back from Hell) getting caught up in the mix.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
Mr. Money is holding another World Martial Arts Tournament and Mr. Satan invites everyone in the world to join in. Little does he know that Bojack, an ancient villain who has escaped his prison, is competing. Since Goku is currently dead, it is up to Gohan, Vegeta, and Trunks to defeat Bojack and his henchman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
Not paying attention to his job, a young demon allows the evil cleansing machine to overflow and explode, turning the young demon into the infamous monster Janemba. Goku and Vegeta make solo attempts to defeat the monster, but realize their only option is fusion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
A Super Namekian named Slug comes to invade Earth. But the Z Warriors do their best to stop Slug and his gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
The Z Warriors discover an unopenable music box and are told to open it with the Dragon Balls. The contents turn out to be a warrior named Tapion who had sealed himself inside along with a monster called Hildegarn. Goku must now perfect a new technique to defeat the evil monster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
After the defeat of Majin Buu, a powerful God of Destruction known as Beerus searches for the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to Earth, the Z-fighters must stop him. Only Goku, humanity’s last hope, can ascend to the level of a legendary Super Saiyan God and save the planet, and possibly the entire universe!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (1991)
After defeating Frieza, Goku returns to Earth and goes on a camping trip with Gohan and Krillin. Everything is normal until Cooler - Frieza's brother - sends three henchmen after Goku. A long fight ensues between our heroes and Cooler, in which he transforms into the fourth stage of his evolution and has the edge in the fight... until Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)
Class 1-A visits Nabu Island where they finally get to do some real hero work. The place is so peaceful that it's more like a vacation... until they're attacked by a villain with an unfathomable Quirk! His power is eerily familiar, and it looks like Shigaraki had a hand in the plan. But with All Might retired and citizens' lives on the line, there's no time for questions. Deku and his friends are the next generation of heroes, and they're the island's only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)
One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
Cooler has resurrected himself as a robot and is enslaving the people of New Namek. Goku and the gang must help.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDigimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (2023)
In 2012, after the events of Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna, the early adulthood DigiDestined—Daisuke, Miyako, Iori, Takeru Takashi, Hikari, and Ken—must reconcile their new responsibilities with their Digimon partners. But Rui Owada, a mysterious young man, appears, claiming to be the first human to partner with a Digimon–Ukkomon. Could Rui really have been the first-ever DigiDestined?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrincess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025)
After a failed attempt to defect Princess Mary, Team White Pigeon is captured by the Kingdom's Home Office. When the Duke of Normandy discovers that the girls are spies for the Commonwealth, he orders them to become double agents for the Kingdom. Princesses is placed under the control of the Duke of Normandy, and the other four spies are temporarily released while remaining under constant surveillance. Meanwhile on Control's side, this incident leads to suspicions that the members of Team White Pigeon have become double agents for the Kingdom. In order to investigate the matter, Control assigns the team a new mission.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Muppets from Space (1999)
When Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him that he's the descendant of aliens from another planet, his attempts at extraterrestrial communication get him kidnapped by a secret government agency, prompting the Muppets to spring into action to rescue their friend.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon: The First Movie (1998)
Determined to prove its superiority, a bio-engineered Pokémon called Mewtwo lures Ash, Pikachu and others into a Pokémon match like none before.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Rundown (2003)
When Travis, the mouthy son of a criminal, disappears in the Amazon in search of a treasured artifact, his father sends in Beck, who becomes Travis's rival for the affections of Mariana, a mysterious Brazilian woman. With his steely disposition, Beck is a man of few words -- but it takes him all the discipline he can muster to work with Travis to nab a tyrant who's after the same treasure.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Miller's Report (1998)
Universal Century 0079. The One Year War rages on, and Shiro Amada and his unit, the 08th MS team, continue their struggle against Zeon forces in the jungles of Southeast Asia. But recent events have put them under close scrutiny by Federation leaders. Alice Miller, an officer of the Federation Intelligence Division, has been dispatched to ascertain the truth behind a series of events leading to the capture of a new enemy mobile armor. As she begins her investigation, the lines between Federation and Zeon become blurred. Is there really a spy among the 08th MS team?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
D'Artagnan's Daughter (1994)
It is 1654, in the South of France. When horsemen follow a runaway slave into the convent where he's taken sanctuary and kill both the fugitive and the Mother Superior, they little realise that one of the novices is the spirited daughter of retired musketeer D'Artagnan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Magical Flying Swordsman (1951)
Jin Tieyi has been learning martial arts from his master Zhang Tianxi since he was a child, and has practiced martial arts with Tianxi's children Wenlan and Daxiong. One day, Tieyi followed his master's order to travel around the world. On the way, he was attacked by corpses in a strange temple. Fortunately, he was saved by the Taoist Leng Tianhun. Tianhun and Tianxi were enemies, so he pretended to accept Tieyi as his apprentice and use him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & action
The Medallion (2003)
A Hong Kong detective suffers a fatal accident involving a mysterious medallion and is transformed into an immortal warrior with superhuman powers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisOnce Upon a Time in China II (1992)
Wong Fei-Hung faces the White Lotus Society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat Sen from the military.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKickboxer (1989)
If your enemy refuses to be humbled... Destroy him. Accompanied by his brother Kurt, American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane, arrives in Thailand to defeat the Eastern warriors at their own sport. His opponent: ruthless fighter and Thai champion, Tong Po. Tong not only defeats Eric, he paralyzes him for life. Crazed with anger, Kurt vows revenge.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?
The closest matches to Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! are Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986), Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993) and One Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?
Start with Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986), the closest match to Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!.
What is the highest-rated movie like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), rated 8.1/10 by 1,324 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?
Princess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!?
Yes: Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986), Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993) and One Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014).
How are movies similar to Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.