The remnants of Frieza's galactic empire, lead by Sorbet and his lieutenant Tagoma, travel to Earth to collect the Dragon Balls in the hopes of reviving Frieza. With the aid of the Pilaf Gang, they collect the Dragon Balls and wish for Shenron to revive Frieza. So much time had passed since his death, however, that Shenron couldn't restore his body, and brings him back in the small pieces that the future version of Trunks cut him into. Tagoma suggests using the rejuvenation chambers on their ship to restore Frieza's body.
Over the next few months, Frieza returns to life completely, his body restored. He is informed that the Saiyan that slew him so many years ago could not be found, and that Goku had become much stronger, even defeating the dreaded Majin Buu. Frieza decides to train seriously to increase his powers, so that in the next few months, he would be strong enough to exact his revenge against Goku and the other Super Saiyans.
After a few months, Bulma receives a visit from an old family friend: Jaco, the Galactic Patrolman. Jaco warns of Frieza's return. Bulma tries to reach Goku and Vegeta, but they are off training with Beerus and Whis. She gathers Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, and Master Roshi to fend off Frieza and his army while she continues to try and get Goku's attention, using desserts to attract Beerus and Whis's attention.
The Z-Warriors put up a valiant fight, fending off Frieza's army with ease. When Frieza enters the fray, however, the situation becomes dire, as he manages to almost kill Gohan while fighting in his Super Saiyan form.
Thankfully, Goku and Vegeta arrive with Beerus and Whis in tow. Beerus declares his intent to sit out the fight, much to Frieza's relief. Goku and Frieza have their fated rematch, with Goku able to match Frieza in his Final Form without having to transform himself. Both combatants reveal that they were holding back, and agree to go all-out. Frieza transforms into a new Golden Form that increases his power severalfold, while Goku transforms into a new form of Super Saiyan from his Super Saiyan God form, his hair and eyes turning bright blue.
Frieza manages to gain the upper hand on Goku for a time, but the battle soon swings back into Goku's favor. Goku realizes Frieza's weakness very quickly: after achieving his Golden Form, Frieza made a bee-line for Earth, spending no time or effort to master his new form, causing him to lose power very quickly. It was the same reason he lost to Goku before on Planet Namek.
Goku gives Frieza one last chance to leave Earth with his life. Frieza takes advantage of Goku's mercy by having Sorbet ambush him with a powerful raygun, leaving Goku depowered and near death. Before Frieza can kill him, however, Vegeta intercedes, giving Krillin a chance to resuscitate him with a Senzu bean. Vegeta reveals that he has also achieved Super Saiyan God status, and also transforms into his blue-haired superform. He kills Sorbet, then attacks Frieza, beating him out of his Golden Form. Before Vegeta can finish him off, however, Frieza fires an energy blast into the Earth, destroying its core and obliterating the planet.
Goku and the Z-Warriors are rescued by Beerus and Whis, but Vegeta and everyone on Earth is dead. Goku laments his mercy towards Frieza and not killing him when he had the chance. Whis, however, reveals that he has the ability to rewind time by a few minutes. He uses this power to bring Goku back to the moment before Frieza destroys the Earth and attacks Frieza with a Kamehameha, killing him once and for all.
After the battle, Goku ponders about something Whis mentioned during their training: how they can accomplish more by working together than by fighting each other. Vegeta scoffs at the idea, however.
With the battle over, the film ends with Frieza doomed once again to spend eternity in Hell.
