Pirate movies may not appeal to a large audience, but you will find this list of the best pirate movies interesting.
The films take an in-depth approach to the subject of pirates. While most of these movies are novel adaptations, they have a lot to deliver an exciting experience.
Some of the movies listed below are very popular, but others have some tricks up their sleeves. Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments, and please tell us which one is the best pirate movie for you.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Director: Gore Verbinski
- Star cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley
- IMDB Rating: 8
To date, viewers and fans rate this movie as one of the best pirate movies. It singularly launched Jonny Depp’s career to the new limelight. His performance throughout the movie is stellar. He was so good, and you’d think he was a pirate in real life.
The commercial success of this film led to the announcement of sequels resulting in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. In this first installment, Johnny Depp works at getting back his precious ship, the Black Pearl.
The thrilling adventure includes a governor’s daughter, a blacksmith, and some civilians. Keira Knightley plays the role of the governor’s daughter, while Orlando Bloom plays the part of the blacksmith.
The plot of this film is well developed, leaving room for sequels. It perfectly blends thrilling adventure with horror. If you are looking for the best pirate movies to watch, put this at the top of your selection.
2. Captain Phillips (2013)
- Director: Paul Greengrass
- Star cast: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, and Catherine Keener
- IMDB Rating: 7.8
Paul Greengrass stars Tom Hanks in one of the best pirate movies. Captain Phillips takes a true story of the hijacking of the American cargo ship and portrays it in a manner that will have viewers stick through the entire runtime.
The tension and emotion in this film are second to none. The few things I find displeasing are the long runtime and the shaky cam. The shaky-cam might get you seasick even when you are in the comfort of your home.
Captain Phillips is a great movie nonetheless. Tom Hanks delivers another world-class performance here, and Greengrass does an excellent job of maintaining the high-level tension and urgency throughout the film.
Captain Phillips keeps up as one of the most thrilling pirate movies. The producers used the music to thrill the listeners without being repetitive or overbearing.
The entire script entertains even the worst of film critics. If you’ve watched it before, there is no harm in watching it again.
3. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
- Director: Peter Weir
- Star cast: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, and James D’Arcy
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
This film may not have pirates as its core theme, but the sea battles are as fierce as any pirate adventure. The filmmakers did their best in portraying what life at sea looked like during the Napoleonic Wars, and Pirates were not spared from such a life.
In 1805, the British Authorities ordered the H.M.S Surprise frigate to intercept the French Privateer Acheron. Captain Jack Aubrey captains the H.M.S Surprise, and Jack discovers that his target is more extensive, faster, and packs more power than his ship
at the first clash.
Jack chooses to keep pursuing instead of returning to base despite being beaten. It is a battle against sea life and the elements. This film’s slow and deliberate pace might be a turn-off for many, but it is very engaging.
This film blends action and adventure to deliver one of the most exciting sea movies to grace our screens. The acting is well delivered most realistically. Fans of the best pirate movies will love this film as well.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
- Director: Gore Verbinski
- Star cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Jack Davenport
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
Jack Sparrow is again faced with the risk of enslaving his soul to Jones’ service. He seeks out the heart of Davy Jones to avoid this and faces off both friends and foes who seek the heart for their agenda.
The film delivers stunning content with a good plot and a consistently excellent performance. Johnny Depp settles into his role as Jack Sparrow, leaving fans to admire his acting. The film gave us impressive special effects and stunts.
One thing that puts this movie as one of the best pirate movies is the musical score. It is outstanding and attains excellent balance with the script. This makes this sequel stand out with resounding entertainment.
Another thing about this movie is the number of details for the heroes. Sometimes, I feel lost out due to many details. Maybe, pick up a pen and paper if you don’t want to miss out on those tiny details littered throughout the movie.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
- Director: Gore Verbinski
- Star cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush
- IMDB Rating: 7.1
In this third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, Elizbeth Swann heads up to Singapore with Will Turner and Captain Barbossa to get a ship and crew to rescue Jack Sparrow from the land of the dead. Despicable Sao Feng captains this ship.
The crew is burdened with many betrayals and deals. They decide to summon the nine pirate captains to the Brethren Court. They intend to release the goddess Calypso to face the influential Davey Jones and Lord Cutler Beckett.
This film is entertaining with lots of action, treacheries, and twists. The scenes are hilarious, great, and pleasant at the same time. Johnny Depp delivers another spectacular performance as Jack Sparrow.
At World’s End follows the footsteps of its predecessors as one of the best pirate movies. This sequel has plenty of plot, action, and romance to keep the interest going. It is not the very best, but it is well above average.
6. Peter Pan (2003)
- Director: P.J. Hogan
- Star cast: Jeremy Sumpter, Jason Isaacs, Olivia Williams, and Lynn Redgrave
- IMDB Rating: 6.8
Peter Pan is simply amazing. The performances from the cast are good enough to keep us entertained. If you want to spice things up, you can also watch the animated version for more variety.
Those who have read the book will find this film a bit disappointing, and it does not attain the complexity written by J. M. Barrie in the book. However, the cinematography and the scenery will keep you entertained.
Peter Pan manages to secure its spot among the best pirate movies with vivid and beautiful colors. It has a darker theme than the book, and the beautiful scenes will leave you asking for more. Captain Hook has more complexity and suave in this film adaptation.
Peter Pan is not suitable for children because of its mature scenes and dark theme. It explores the crossover between a child and an adult, beaming light on some touchy matters. Overall, it is an engaging fantasy to relieve stress.
7. The Pirates of Somalia (2017)
- Director: Bryan Buckley
- Star cast: Al Pacino, Evan Peters, Melanie Griffith, and Barkhad Abdi
- IMDB Rating: 6.8
Bryan Buckley directed this movie based on The Pirates of Somali: Inside their hidden world. It is more of a biography that takes us into the world of pirates like never before. The approach it takes makes it one of the best pirate movies.
In this film, rookie journalist Jay Bahadur explores the world of pirates by embedding himself with the pirates of Somalia.
This is something an average person will run from doing. Well, Jay succeeds and leaves us with a close-up look at these pirates, including their lifestyle and motivations.
Jay Bahadur is probably the first westerner that showed genuine interest in Somalia and its problems both on land and sea. Exploring the lives of the pirates is a risk, and Evan Peters did a brilliant job at performing as Jay.
Overall, this is a pirate movie like never before. It is an exciting story with performances good enough to keep you entertained. It spells out the risk but explores pirates like never before, providing us with a better perception of who pirates are.
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
- Director: Rob Marshall
- Star cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Geoffrey Rush
- IMDB Rating: 6.6
In this fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow goes on a quest to find the fountain of youth. They soon realize that Blackbeard and his daughter are also after the elusive treasure.
“On Stranger Tides” continues the legacy of the Pirates of the Caribbean. It completely supplements previous installments and adds to the lore and history of one of the best pirate movies. There is little to complain about in this film.
Once again, the cast delivers the same entertaining performance we’ve come to love in the series and prequels. This film will fill your screen with great actors and actresses, and Fountain of youth is an exciting title.
To crown it all, the film portrays a compelling and entertaining story that quickly draws you into the web of deceits and treachery.
If you are familiar with pirate movies, you’ll not be surprised by the betrayal and deception that lurks around at every corner in this film.
9. The Pirates (2014)
- Director: Seok-hoon Lee
- Star cast: Nam-gil Kim, Son Ye-jin, Hae-Jin Yoo and Lee Kyung-young
- IMDB Rating: 6.6
Now, worthy deviation from the typical pirate storyline. The pirates mix comedy with action and fantasy to keep everyone entertained. In this film, pirates and bandits band together to fight a gray whale that had just swallowed a royal stamp.
The film contains a few changes in tone from slapstick to actual violence here and there. The mixture of a historical report with fictional creations might be confusing for some. Don’t try hard to follow the story.
If you ignore the few shortcomings, you will find this to be as good as the best pirate movies out there. The performances are decent enough, the humor is well distributed, and the choreography is spectacular.
The film’s tone keeps it attractive and fun, even at almost two hours in length. It is focused on an adventure but still has space to throw in a little romance. Overall, it is an excellent movie from our Eastern counterparts.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell no Tales (2017)
- Director: Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg
- Star cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem, and Orlando Bloom
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
Captain Salazar and his crew of deadly ghosts escape the devil’s triangle and pursue Captain Jack Sparrow. Despite Jack being their primary target, they intend to kill every pirate they encounter at sea.
This film’s significant effects and computer-generated imagery place it among the best pirate movies. It might not be a masterpiece, but it is as funny and entertaining as the rest of the films in the franchise. The screenplay and story are fun.
Once again, Johnny Depp gives us that performance we love him for. The underlying story is excellent, like the prequels. The film also has great characters that balance throughout the run time. The blend of comedy is pleasant as well.
There is a lot of action and adventure to keep you entertained. Dead men tell no tales is a beautiful blend of comedy, storytelling, and action. You will appreciate the special effects and the CGI and will undoubtedly be satisfied with the movie.
11. Neverland (2011)
- Star cast: Keira Knightley, Charlotte Atkinson, Anna Friel, and Charlie Rowe
- IMDB Rating: 6.4
Fans of Peter Pan will find this movie as enjoyable as its sequel. It answers the lingering question of how Peter got to Neverland and who Captain Hook was before he became a pirate. This film is a great movie that stays true to the books.
In 1906, arch crook and ace fencer James “Jimmy” Hook gathered a group of juvenile street thieves in London, including Peter. He brings up the idea of robbing Harbottle’s jewelry and antiques, which he was hired for in the first place.
Peter is over-eager for the robbery while the other boys hesitate. Jimmy decides to do the job on his own. Determined to prove his worth to Jimmy, Peter convinces the other boys to join him in the heist, even when Jimmy had told him not to.
Neverland might not be pirates’ fans’ favorite, but it is rated enough to be among the best pirate movies. It finally reveals how Hook and Pan’s animosity started and shows how Hook lost his hand.
12. Treasure Island (2012)
- Director: Steve Barron
- Star cast: Eddie Izzard, Toby Regbo, Rupert Penry-Jones, and Daniel Mays
- IMDB Rating: 6.3
In his quest to find the treasures of pirate captain Flint buried on a secret island, Young Jim Hawkins gets involved with the buccaneers. One good thing about this film is that the locations are stunning and authentic.
The music and costumes, while not pompous, are rousing enough to place this movie among the best pirate movies. That opening sequence complements the storyline in a way that grips you for the entire runtime.
Treasure island does so well in adapting the classic novel. It changes some of the characters’ personalities but stays true to the book’s plot. The characters made an excellent effort in coming off as authentic and believable.
With decent action scenes, this film will not bore you down. It might not be an awesome and mind-blowing movie, but it has its strengths. The locations were decent and well suited for a pirate movie.
13. Waterworld (1995)
- Director: Kevin Reynolds
- Star cast: Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Dennis Hopper
- IMDB Rating: 6.2
Producing this film was one of the most daring things done. This mad max on water might not have much going for it now, but it was a relief to the movie world back in its days. Don’t expect too much from the plot, and you will be fine.
The polar ice caps have melted in the future, and Earth is almost entirely submerged. A mutated mariner battles starvation and outlaws to survive, and he reluctantly helps a woman and a young girl in their quest to find dry land.
Waterworld addresses another possible apocalyptic future for the earth. The storyline is unique, but too many plot holes prevent it from ranking among the best pirate movies.
If you are looking for an in-depth experience of how life on water might be, then go for it.
14. Pan (2015)
- Director: Joe Wright
- Star cast: Levi Miller, Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara
- IMDB Rating: 5.7
In this new adaptation, twelve-year-old Peter is magically transported to the magic world of Neverland. Here, he faces dangers that lead to discovering his true destiny, to become the hero the world would come to know of as Peter Pan.
Despite being too dragged out, the film packs good thrills, adventures, emotions, and impressive sequences. It will bring out the imagination in you to the fullest. Neverland is depicted in an enchanting way.
It might not be one of the best adaptations of the Peter Pan story, but it gives viewers an adventurous experience in its way. I will not rank it high among the best pirate movies, but it is not bad.
Overall, the charming and breathtaking images filled with noisy action turn out to be a colorful and exciting film.
