A variety of factors inspire movies. Pirates of the Caribbean, on the other hand, is one of the few pieces of art inspired by a theme park attraction. The first film, based on a Disneyland ride of the same name, was released in 2003 and was an instant smash. Pirates of the Caribbean is still one of the best fantasy swashbuckler film franchises of all time, 18 years and five films later.
The film series consists of five original films and one short film, which together form a significant component of the Pirates of the Caribbean media franchise, with each film grossing over $650 million and totaling over $5 billion. If you’re curious about critical reaction, practically every Pirates of the Caribbean film received positive reviews. Fans and critics alike laud the visual effects, Hans Zimmer’s famous background score, and, most importantly, the cast’s performances. In terms of the cast, while each film in the series tells a new story with new characters, several of the primary characters from the first film return in all of the sequels.
In recurrent roles, Johnny Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow, Geoffrey Rush plays Hector Barbossa, and Kevin McNally plays Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, which is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The five films also include Orlando Bloom as William “Will” Turner, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann, and Bill Nighy as Davy Jones, who appears in three or four of the films. With his unkempt style, a mix of smart and salty sense of humor, unending passion for rum, and the oddest way of inviting trouble, Depp’s Jack Sparrow remains the most recognizable and loveable character among all of these names. Whatever you think of the performer, we can’t deny that the role has had a significant impact.
Now that a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film is in the works, it brings back memories of the previous five films and the magical adventures of the men at sea. However, deciding which one to see first, or if the five films plus the short feature in the Pirates of the Caribbean series should be watched in any particular order, can be difficult.
As a result, we’ve put together a simple guide on the best order to watch them in. Here’s how to watch the five Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the short film in order of release date, from The Curse of the Black Pearl through Dead Men Tell No Tales. And, because it’s a Disney production, all of the episodes are available on Disney+, allowing you to have a Pirates marathon.
Pirates of the Caribbean Movies in Order of Release Date
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – July 9, 2003
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – July 7, 2006
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – May 25, 2007
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – May 20, 2011
5. Tales of the Code: Wedlocked – 2011
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – May 26, 2017
All Pirates of the Caribbean Movies
All of the Pirates of the Caribbean films are set in and around the Caribbean islands during the Golden Age of Piracy, but with a fabricated backstory. Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann are included in the main plot, as they go on risky but alluring adventures and treasure hunts across oceans. They are challenged and threatened by Jack’s adversaries and other pirates, pursued by the Royal Navy of England, and frequently get into conflict with their own people on their excursions.
Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (2011)
Despite the fact that it is not part of the main film series, the plot of this short film precedes the first installment. Scarlett (Lauren Maher) and Giselle (Vanessa Branch) plan a wedding for each other, only to discover that their grooms are the same — Jack Sparrow. This story serves as a prelude to The Curse of the Black Pearl, explaining why Jack Sparrow’s boat, the Jolly Mon, is seen sinking in the first film, why Scarlett and Giselle are furious with him, and how Cotton lost his tongue.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
The Curse of the Black Pearl is the franchise’s first full-length film, and it introduces Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Hector Barbossa, and Elizabeth Swann. The plot follows Will Turner, the son of pirate “Bootstrap” Bill Turner, as he teams up with the eccentric Jack Sparrow to save Elizabeth Swann, the love of his life. Hector Barbossa, Jack’s former first mate and now adversary, captures Elizabeth aboard the cursed ship Black Pearl, whose crew becomes undead in the night. Jack’s ship, the Black Pearl, was stolen by Barbossa along with some cursed gold coins, leaving him stranded on an island.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
The plot of the second installment follows a linear pattern and continues immediately from the first. Will and Elizabeth have reconnected and are going to marry at the end of the first film. However, Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) of the East India Trading Company interrupts the ceremony, arresting Will and Elizabeth for aiding Jack Sparrow. Beckett offers Will a deal in exchange for searching Jack’s compass and discovering the Dead Man’s Chest and Davy Jones’ heart, allowing Beckett complete control of the seas.
Jack, on the other hand, owes Jones a loan that requires him to serve on Jones’ ship, the Flying Dutchman. So he wants the chest to get out of debt, and Will’s deal complicates things for him.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa, and his crew return in this third installment of the series to save Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones’ Locker. Lord Beckett now has entire control over Davy Jones and is working to eradicate piracy. To stop Beckett, Jack needs to be saved. However, he can only do so by freeing an ancient goddess.
At World’s End, directed by Gore Verbinski, also stars Stellan Skarsgrd, Chow Yun-fat, Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, and Jonathan Pryce.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
This part of the film series is based on Tim Powers’ novel On Stranger Tides, published in 1987. Captain Jack Sparrow is sent on yet another deadly mission in this film. Jack is compelled to team up with his old lover, Angelica (Penélope Cruz). They must work together to find the mythical Fountain of Youth in order to preserve the soul of her father, the infamous Blackbeard (Ian McShane), while simultaneously dealing with Jack’s eternal foe, Barbossa, who is now in the Royal Navy and also on the lookout for the Fountain of Youth.
Some characters, like as Will, Elizabeth, and Davy Jones, are absent from On Stranger Tides.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Dead Men Tell No Tales, the fifth and final film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, picks up 13 years after At World’s End and centers on Will’s son, Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites). Henry loses his father as a child due to a curse placed on the Flying Dutchman, which can only be broken by the Trident of Poseidon. The mythological trident’s owner can command the waters, its life, tides, curses, and so on. As a result, Henry tries to enlist Captain Jack Sparrow in the quest, but Jack continues to elude him.
Meanwhile, Captain Armando Salazar (Javier Bardem), Jack’s old rival, has returned from the grave to murder every pirate, especially Jack, and avenge his death. Barbossa and Jack join together to preserve their ships and crew, as well as Carina Smyth, a new shipmate (Kaya Scodelario). Will, Elizabeth, and Gibbs make cameo appearances in this film.
