Movie · 2018 · Action, Science Fiction, Animation · 1h 41m · PG · Japanese
Curator score: 7.2/10 (148.8K ratings)
A new adventure to become the strongest begins.
Overview
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.
Ratings
Curator score: 7.2/10
IMDb: 7.7/10
Letterboxd: 3.88/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 7.9/10
Director
Tatsuya Nagamine
Production
Toei Company, Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, Toei Animation, Bandai, Bandai Namco Entertainment
A wildly kinetic, crowd-pleasing anime spectacle that delivers on its promise: huge-scale Saiyan combat, sharp comedic beats, and some of the strongest hand-drawn action in the franchise. It works best if you want pure momentum, visual invention, and a surprisingly sympathetic take on Broly.
Best for
fans of high-energy battle anime
viewers who care about animation craft
people who want a simple, hype-driven blockbuster
Dragon Ball fans looking for a standout modern entry
Skip if
you want a tightly plotted story over spectacle
you dislike repetitive power-up escalation
you are not interested in franchise continuity
you prefer grounded stakes or restrained action
Overview
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is the rare franchise entry that feels both like a reset and a victory lap. It streamlines the mythology, gives Broly a more tragic and human shape, and then lets the movie explode into one of the most exhilarating action runs in mainstream animation. The plotting is lean, but the film knows exactly what it is: a showcase for speed, impact, and visual escalation.
Worth noting
What makes it stand out is the confidence of the animation. The fights have a physicality and fluidity that keep the chaos readable even as the scale keeps growing. There is also a welcome sense of humor and character chemistry, especially in the way the film balances Goku, Vegeta, and the new Broly interpretation.
Bottom line
If you are already invested in Dragon Ball, this is an easy recommendation. If you are new, it is still accessible enough to enjoy as a pure action movie, though the emotional payoff lands more strongly with some franchise familiarity. Either way, it is one of the most satisfying modern big-screen anime brawls.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Calum Marsh (3.5★) · 1249 likes
I am 32 years old.
Paddy (3.5★) · 830 likes
Vegeta, Broly and Goku caused global warming.
James (4.5★) · 704 likes
This is literally the pinnacle of 2D animation, don’t @ me.
adambolt (4.5★) · 439 likes
GO GO GOGETA GO
Jay (5★) · 413 likes
Since part of the movie has fighting in the snow, I am now considering Dragon Ball Super Broly a Christmas movie. Broly is green. He is a big angry Christmas tree that has been mistreated by his evil father who doesn’t want a green Broly tree to feel happiness. How do we calm the angry Christmas tree so they do not destroy Earth and ruin Christmas? We have the homies Goku and Vegeta constantly run dem hands to give Broly… more Since part of the movie has fighting in the snow, I am now considering Dragon Ball Super Broly a Christmas movie. Broly is green. He is a big angry Christmas tree that has been mistreated by his evil father who doesn’t want a green Broly tree to feel happiness. How do we calm the angry Christmas tree so they do not destroy Earth and ruin Christmas? We have the homies Goku and Vegeta constantly run dem hands to give Broly… more
1995 · Action, Animation, Science Fiction · 1h 23m · NR · Curator 8.7/10 (568.8K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
For the science-fiction side of the appeal, with iconic animation craft and a serious, futuristic atmosphere.