In this movie, Frieza's brother Cooler is introduced. It begins with a flashback to when Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, and Cooler's ship picks up Goku's space pod escaping the system. Cooler lets it go, believing it to be no threat. Twenty-four years later, Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan and defeated Frieza on Planet Namek, after that Frieza and his father, King Cold finally met their demise a year later at the hands of the time traveling half saiyan Future Trunks. By the time Goku gets back and resumes life, Cooler discovers that his brother Frieza has been killed by a surviving Saiyan. Showing no compassion towards Frieza, Cooler takes his Armored Squadron - Dore, Maize, and Salza - after Goku to reclaim his family honor. His forces ambush Goku and his friends on a camping trip, and Goku is wounded when he takes a blast from Cooler that was intended for Gohan.
After Krillin sets up camp with Goku, Gohan flies off to obtain Senzu beans from Korin. After obtaining the beans, he is ambushed by the Squadron, but is saved by Piccolo. Piccolo defeats Dore and Naise, but Cooler attacks, sending Sauza after Gohan as a shocked Piccolo falls. Gohan gets to the cave with the Senzu beans, but they are destroyed by Sauza. However, he heals Goku with a spare bean Yajirobe gave him earlier. After Krillin and Gohan are defeated by Sauza, Goku appears fully healed. Cooler shows up, and begins battling Goku.
After Goku proves to be a worthy opponent, Cooler tells of his history with Frieza. He then reveals his final transformation, and pummels Goku easily. However, after seeing a bird die from wounds apparently inflicted by damage caused during the struggle with Cooler in his final form, Goku thinks back on his friends and family, then picks up the dead bird, letting out a yell so powerful it cracks solid stone. Goku then transforms into his Super Saiyan form, and gives enough of his energy to revive the bird. Cooler then finds himself, like Frieza was, grossly outclassed, but summons a trump card in the form of his Supernova Attack (Death Ball) to destroy Goku and the earth. However, after a stint of struggling, Goku eventually manages to send it back with his Kamehameha Wave, forcing Cooler backward into the sun. As Cooler curses Goku, he suddenly realizes that Goku is the Saiyan he let escape. His body is then seemingly disintegrated by the sun.
Goku, drained after his battle, is found by Krillin and Gohan. They are looking for Piccolo when Sauza reappears, and is about to destroy them. However, before he can attack, he is run through and killed by Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon from a distance. Gohan looks around for Piccolo, and the movie ends with Piccolo gazing skyward.