Dragonball: Evolution
Directed by James Wong
On his 18th birthday, Goku receives a mystical Dragonball as a gift from his grandfather. There are only six others like it in the whole world, and legend has it that whoever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.
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Dragonball: Evolution Ratings & Reviews
- BEAULONEANovember 27, 2025This movie was so 2000s it was painful. Made in the era when Hollywood felt the need to make everything “cool,” as if what fans loved about the source material just weren’t good enough. You can see moments where they lean into the silliness and charm that Dragon Ball is known for, but then watch as they snuff the life out of it. The whole thing feeling more like a parody than a genuine attempt at a Dragon Ball movie. Just an awkward adaptation that completely misses what made the original work in the first place.
- LivewireAdminFebruary 3, 2026Growing up in the late 90's/00's a Dragon Ball Z movie was a pipe dream. I remember scouring the toonami message boards, looking over everyone's fan casting and of course submitting my own. I honestly think DBZ is one of those stories that can't be translated outside of manga/anime. There's really no way to do Goku's hair in live action lol let alone ki blasts. But they did finally try to do an adaptation in 2009 and it's about as good as you'd think. Watching it now I think the vibe they were going for was 2002's Spider-Man—they put Goku in high school, they made him the kid that gets picked on, his love interest was also in high school and the death of a loved one is what sets him out on his journey. I liked Emmy Rossum as Bulma but why not fully commit to the blue hair? Jaime Chung as Chi-Chi was good as well but I just didn't care for the high school storylines. Is this the worst movie I've ever seen? no. Is it close? maybe? I don't think my body will let me fully hate on the movie considering DBZ was my childhood.
- travi5141December 30, 2025I am a Huge Dragon Ball Z, GT, Super, ect Fan. This movie makes me sick and dirty. It is the Worst movie I have ever seen. They got EVERYTHING wrong. The Characters, story, powers, everything!! The Director wrote an Article 5 years later Apologizing to the fand confessing he did it for money. I would enjoy the worst rated, controversial movie off all time with I big grin knowing I am not watching this crap. Avatar the last Air Bender by M. Night Shamalan is a Oscor winner masterpiece compared to DB Evolution. Man I hate this movie.
Dragonball: Evolution Trivia
Dragonball: Evolution was released on March 12, 2009.
Dragonball: Evolution was directed by James Wong.
Dragonball: Evolution has a runtime of 85m.
Dragonball: Evolution was produced by Stephen Chow.
On his 18th birthday, Goku receives a mystical Dragonball as a gift from his grandfather. There are only six others like it in the whole world, and legend has it that whoever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.
The key characters in Dragonball: Evolution are Goku (Justin Chatwin), Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat), Yamcha (Joon Park).
Dragonball: Evolution is rated PG.
Dragonball: Evolution is an Action, Adventure, Fantasy film.
Dragonball: Evolution has an audience rating of 1.9 out of 10.
Dragonball: Evolution had a budget of $30M.
Dragonball: Evolution has made $58.2M at the box office.