Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

Cooler, the villain from the Saiyan saga, has come back in a new body as a robot and aims to crush New Namek under his iron rule. He enslaves the planet and relies on a mechanized army to crush any resistance. Hearing of the persecution, Goku and his friends travel to New Namek to free the population and stop the tyrant from expanding his control. The mission tests their limits and pushes them to tap into new powers while outsmarting a foe who blends cybernetic might with ruthless strategy. The crew must adapt on the fly, with Goku pushing toward greater strength while his friends hold the line.

Directed by Daisuke Nishio, the film translates Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z universe to the big screen. It draws on Akira Toriyama and Takao Koyama to adapt the Cooler arc for cinematic scale, balancing faithful character moments with high tempo action.

Worldwide box office gross was $19,581,369, reflecting the solid performance for a mid era Dragon Ball Z feature in theaters around the world. That performance helped the Dragon Ball Z film line expand its international distribution across multiple territories for fans worldwide.

Fans remember The Return of Cooler for expanding the robotic villain concept and delivering dynamic battles that helped shape later Dragon Ball Z movies and merchandise through bold visuals and action. Its visuals emphasize the contrast between organic and synthetic power, a motif that echoes through later installments for fans.

Critics praised the brisk action, bright animation, and faithful continuation of DBZ's core themes of friendship and perseverance. The film pushes characters to rise above threats through teamwork and growth, underscoring the series belief that courage can emerge even when odds stack against the heroes in battle today and beyond.