Dragonball: Evolution

Play trailer

Dragonball: Evolution

PG

Released Apr 10, 2009

1h 26m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

14%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

19%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

On his 18th birthday, Goku (Justin Chatwin) 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 whomever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions (Chow Yun-Fat, Emmy Rossum) are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Executed with little panache or invention, Dragonball Evolution lacks the magic that made the books upon which it was based a cult sensation.

Read Critics Reviews

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

Dragonball: Evolution is my least-favorite film of all time. I hate it with every fiber of my being. If you were ever curious about the show Dragon Ball or the manga... please, avoid this cinematic disaster at all costs.

Feb 3, 2016

Full Review

Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

A rather tame live-action sci-fi flick.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 17, 2009

Full Review

London Evening Standard

The producer, Stephen Chow, made the funny and original Kung Fu Hustle, but here he and director James Wong get into a terrible mess.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 17, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It’s a hyperactive, eye-rolling affair.

Rated: 1/4

Dec 1, 2023

Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

They clearly didn't know what they were doing, terrible. But hey, they made their money back? ... and I do like the movies, this was just really really dumb...

Rated: 1/5

Dec 12, 2020

Full Review

Charlie Jane Anders

io9.com

There are balls of lint smarter than Dragonball Evolution.

May 21, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Aman S

Really bad - from https://perfectlyhired.com/

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Carson K

never seen it but why is goku white

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Oaklee D

Dragonball: Evolution is laughably horrid.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

Richard A

No. This movie shouldn't exist

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Austin R

It's been awhile not seeing this movie. i do somehow enjoy it. but it's kinda the worst,

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Jesse T

I saw it. The end.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

James Wong

Director

Justin Chatwin

Goku

Chow Yun-Fat

Master Roshi

Emmy Rossum

Bulma

Jamie Chung

Chi Chi

James Marsters

Lord Piccolo

Maleficent

54%

70%

Maleficent

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Maleficent

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box

20%

59%

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box

Watchlist

Dragonheart: A New Beginning

40%

34%

Dragonheart: A New Beginning

Watchlist

Shorts

47%

32%

Shorts

Watchlist

Conan the Destroyer

29%

38%

Conan the Destroyer

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekly Ketchup: Dragonball, Hangover sequels announced

Critics Consensus: Hannah Montana Hits A Flat Note

Five Favourite Films with James Marsters

View more photos

Synopsis

On his 18th birthday, Goku (Justin Chatwin) 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 whomever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions (Chow Yun-Fat, Emmy Rossum) are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.

Director: James Wong
Producer: Stephen Chow
Screenwriter: Ben Ramsey
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Star Overseas
Rating: PG (Intense Sequences of Action|Brief Mild Language|Intense Sequences of Violence)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m

Most Popular at Home Now