Look, we all know the drill with anime villains. They show up, they scream for three episodes, they get punched into a sun, and they stay dead. Usually. But Frieza isn't "usual." When you sit down to watch Dragon Ball Z Resurrection F movie, you aren't just watching a rehash of the 90s. You're watching Akira Toriyama basically say, "I missed my favorite psychopathic space emperor, so here he is in gold."
Honestly? It works.
The movie dropped back in 2015, but even now, it’s the gateway drug for most people getting into Dragon Ball Super. It’s lean. It’s mean. It doesn't waste forty minutes on a ritual involving five Saiyans holding hands. It just gets straight to the punching.
Where to Actually Find the Movie Right Now
If you're hunting for a place to stream this thing, don't just click on those sketchy "free anime" sites that'll give your laptop a digital cold.
As of early 2026, Crunchyroll is still the heavyweight champion here. They’ve got the sub and the dub. If you're a purist, Masako Nozawa is still the GOAT as Goku, but let’s be real—Chris Ayres and later Daman Mills gave Frieza that specific "sneering aristocrat" vibe that makes the English dub a genuine treat.
- Streaming: Crunchyroll (included with sub).
- Digital Rental: Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Vudu/Fandango at Home usually have it for about three or four bucks.
- Physical: You can still snag the Blu-ray, which is worth it just for the "F" music video by Maximum the Hormone.
Funny story: Toriyama actually got the idea for the whole movie while listening to that song. He was at a concert, heard the track "F" (which is literally about Frieza), and thought, "Yeah, I should probably bring him back."
The Golden Emperor vs. The Blue Gods
The plot is basically a revenge flick. Sorbet—who's essentially a mid-level manager for the remaining Frieza Force—uses the Dragon Balls to wish Frieza back. But since Future Trunks turned him into stir-fry back in the day, he comes back in pieces.
Cue the healing vat.
What makes this different from the old school Z movies is the training. Frieza realizes he can't just rock up to Earth and expect to win. He trains for four months. For a guy who was born a natural prodigy, that’s like a lifetime of work. He hits a new level: Golden Frieza.
Meanwhile, Goku and Vegeta have been off-world eating Whis’s snacks and learning how to not leak their ki. This is where we first see Super Saiyan Blue (or Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, if you want to be a nerd about the long name).
It’s a bit of a color-swap fest, sure. But the animation in the first half of the film is some of the fluidest stuff Toei has put out. Seeing Master Roshi actually jump into the fray and take out dozens of soldiers? That felt like a "thank you" to the fans who remember the original Dragon Ball.
Why Gohan Fans Might Get Annoyed
If you love Gohan, maybe look away for a bit. This movie catches him in his "tracksuit phase." He’s a dad now. He’s studying. He’s... kinda weak? He struggles against Shisami, which feels weird considering he used to be the strongest non-fused character at the end of the Buu saga.
It’s a controversial choice. Some people hate it. They feel like the movie did Gohan dirty. Personally, I think it makes sense. If you stop lifting weights for five years, you aren't benching your max on day one. It sets up his redemption arc later in the series, but yeah, it's a tough watch if you grew up on Teen Gohan.
Is it Better than Battle of Gods?
This is the eternal debate in the fandom. Battle of Gods (2013) felt like a celebration. It was slow, funny, and expanded the universe. Watch Dragon Ball Z Resurrection F movie if you want the opposite.
Resurrection F is a war movie.
It’s got a 1,000-man army fight. It has Piccolo and Tien actually doing stuff. It has Jaco the Galactic Patrolman—a character from a separate Toriyama manga—providing some of the best comedic timing in the franchise.
But it’s also got that ending. You know the one.
The Whis Reveal. Without spoiling too much for the three people who haven't seen it: things go sideways. Frieza is a sore loser. The way the win is handled feels like a bit of a "Deus Ex Machina" to some. Vegeta finally gets his moment to shine, and then... well, Goku is Goku.
Making the Most of Your Rewatch
If you’re planning a marathon, there’s a specific way to do this. Don't just watch the movie and then watch the first 27 episodes of Dragon Ball Super.
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The anime series actually retells this movie. And honestly? The movie version is better. The animation in the Super TV arc was famously rushed (remember the "badly drawn Goku" memes?). Stick to the film for the Resurrection F storyline, then jump into the anime starting at Episode 28 (the Universe 6 Tournament).
Trust me, your eyes will thank you.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your subs: If you have Crunchyroll, search for "Resurrection F" directly. Sometimes it’s tucked under the Dragon Ball Super category as a "special."
- Watch the Jaco shorts: If you haven't read the Jaco the Galactic Patrolman manga, give it a quick Google. It makes his appearance in the movie way more satisfying.
- Skip the Recap: If you’re watching the series for the first time, watch the Battle of Gods movie, then this movie, then start the show at the tournament. It saves you about 10 hours of repetitive content.
The movie isn't perfect. The CGI Frieza soldiers look a bit clunky in some shots, and the stakes feel a little lower because Beerus and Whis are just sitting there eating strawberry sundaes. But as a pure popcorn flick? It’s peak Dragon Ball. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and it reminds us why Frieza is the villain we just love to hate.