The Truth Behind The Dragon Ball Movie 2025: 5 Critical Updates On The Next DBS Film And The Moro Arc

The anticipation for the next major Dragon Ball theatrical feature is reaching a fever pitch, especially with the keyword "Dragon Ball movie 2025" dominating search trends in late 2025. Following the massive success of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in 2022, fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the fourth film in the Dragon Ball Super series. However, as of today, December 14, 2025, an official, original theatrical movie specifically dated for 2025 by Toei Animation has not been confirmed, requiring a crucial look at what the current rumors, producer hints, and production cycles actually suggest for the immediate future of the franchise.

The reality is that 2025 is a year of transition and anticipation, fueled by major non-movie projects and the emotional weight of creator Akira Toriyama's passing. While a new film is almost certainly in production, the release date is likely targeting 2026. This article cuts through the noise to deliver the five most critical, up-to-date facts and rumors about the highly-anticipated next chapter in Goku and Vegeta's cinematic journey.

The Current State of Dragon Ball: Sorting Official News from Fan Rumors

The high volume of searches for a "Dragon Ball movie 2025" is largely driven by the typical three-to-four-year gap between major film releases from Toei Animation, as well as several high-profile, non-movie projects that have caused confusion. It is vital to understand what is official for 2025 and what is merely speculation for the *next* film.

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1. The 2025 Project That Isn't a Movie: Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra

One of the biggest sources of confusion surrounding the 2025 release window was a project initially known as Dragon Ball Project: Multi. This project had been teased for a mid-2025 release, leading many to believe it was the new theatrical film. However, this has been definitively clarified.

• Official Title: The project was officially revealed as Dragon Ball: Gekishin Squadra.
• Project Type: It is a new 4v4 MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) video game, developed by Gambarion, which officially launched in September 2025.
• Impact: This confirmation means a significant portion of Toei's resources for 2025 was dedicated to this game, making a major, original movie release in the same year less likely.

2. The Re-Release and the True 2025 Theatrical Event

While no new film is slated, 2025 is still seeing a major Dragon Ball theatrical event. The iconic 2013 film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, is making a return to theaters in various international markets. For instance, the film is scheduled for a re-release in France in March 2025.

This re-release is a celebration of the franchise's enduring legacy and serves as a reminder that the next original film, often referred to as Dragon Ball Super Movie 4, is still on the horizon, likely following the three-to-four-year production cycle that positions the release closer to 2026.

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The Most Likely Plot: Will the Moro Arc Finally Be Animated?

With Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero having successfully adapted the Granolah the Survivor Arc's prequel material and introducing new transformations for Gohan and Piccolo, the next logical step for the cinematic universe is to tackle the two major un-animated sagas from the manga: the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga (Moro Arc) and the remainder of the Granolah the Survivor Arc.

3. Why the Moro Arc is the Frontrunner for DBS Movie 4

The Moro Arc is widely considered one of the best and most cinematic sagas in the entire Dragon Ball Super manga, making it the top candidate for adaptation. This arc introduces the villain Moro, the Planet-Eater, an ancient sorcerer whose power is based on draining the life force from planets and individuals.

• Cinematic Structure: The saga has a distinct three-act structure—Moro's escape and initial dominance, Vegeta's training on Planet Yardrat and return with new techniques, and the final battle on Earth—which perfectly suits a feature film, or even a trilogy, as some analysts have suggested.
• New Transformations: The arc features key power-ups, including Ultra Instinct Sign Goku mastering the technique and Vegeta's Spirit Fission ability, which is a major character development for the Saiyan Prince.
• Galactic Patrol: It heavily features the Galactic Patrol and its members, like Merus, an Angel-in-training, offering a fresh, expansive look at the Dragon Ball universe beyond Earth and the Gods of Destruction.

Adapting the Moro Arc would bridge a major gap in the animated continuity and satisfy the intense fan demand to see this pivotal saga realized by Toei Animation.

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4. The Granolah Arc's Position in the Timeline

Following the Moro Arc in the manga is the Granolah the Survivor Arc, which introduces the eponymous Granolah, the last survivor of the Cerealian race, and the powerful villain Gas from the Heeter Force. While the events of Super Hero technically take place after the Granolah arc in the manga's timeline, the next movie may choose to adapt Granolah or even Moro first to maintain a cohesive narrative flow for the anime-only audience.

The complexity of the Granolah arc, which deals with wish-granting Dragon Balls on Planet Cereal and intricate backstory involving the Saiyans and Freeza, might make it better suited for a full return of the Dragon Ball Super TV anime, which is also heavily rumored for a 2026 comeback, rather than a single movie.

The Future and Legacy of the Franchise

The discussion around the next Dragon Ball film is now inextricably linked to the legacy of its creator.

5. The Profound Impact of Akira Toriyama's Passing

The passing of creator Akira Toriyama in early 2024 casts a long shadow over all future projects, including the next movie. Toriyama was the original author, character designer, and often provided the core story concepts and script outlines for the recent films, including Battle of Gods, Resurrection 'F', Broly, and Super Hero. The film that follows will be the first major theatrical release conceived and produced entirely without his direct, final oversight.

This makes the next film incredibly significant: it will stand as a testament to the foundation he built and the capabilities of his successors, including manga artist Toyotarou, who has been instrumental in the Dragon Ball Super manga. The pressure on Toei Animation and the production team to honor Toriyama's vision while delivering a fresh, high-quality story is immense, ensuring the next film is treated with the utmost care and reverence for the franchise's history.

Anticipated Release Window for Dragon Ball Super Movie 4

While the "Dragon Ball movie 2025" tag is premature for an original film, the production timeline strongly suggests an imminent announcement for a 2026 release.

• The 2026 Target: Given the typical three-to-four-year production cycle (with Super Hero releasing in 2022), the next film is strongly rumored to target a Spring or Summer 2026 release.
• Potential Announcement: Fans are anticipating an official announcement and trailer reveal during major events like Jump Festa or Goku Day (May 9th) in 2026, or during the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026 event.
• The Wait: The delay is likely due to the complexity of adapting the dense Moro or Granolah arcs and the desire to maintain the high production quality established by the previous films.

For now, fans should enjoy the *Battle of Gods* re-release and the new *Gekishin Squadra* game while preparing for what is sure to be one of the most emotional and highly-anticipated movie announcements in anime history, expected to arrive in 2026.