In what order should I watch the *Pirates of the Caribbean* movies?

You want to watch Pirates of the Caribbean in the right order?

Here are the 5 films, from first to last:

1. The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
2. the Secret of the cursed chest (2006)
3. To the end of the world (2007)
4. The Fountain of Youth (2011)
5. The Salazar's revenge (2017)

No headaches timeline :

You chain them from 1 to 5 in order of release.

The first three form a trilogy which follows on from one another, shutters 4 and 5 are more independent adventures, to be seen immediately or saved for later.

The 5 films, produced by Disney, are available on Disney+ (rental available on Apple TV and Prime Video).

Pirate Order of the Caribbean: Watching "Pirates of the Caribbean" the right way

The films are about adventure mixed with humor, where sword duels, pirate ships, treasure hunts and legendary relics intersect with sea monsters, ghosts and curses. At the heart of this universe, each crew pursues its own goal, in a spirit of piracy and freedom.

Each film tells a different adventure, but revolves around Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, whose eccentric nature marked this epic.

Currently, the series consists of 5 parts, with a sixth in the pipeline. This next opus could feature a different approach, and we'll provide more details below to keep you informed of the saga's progress.

Now, the detail of each film: its plot, its contribution to the franchise and its place in the’Jack Sparrow adventure.

No. 1 "The Curse of the Black Pearl

Jack Sparrow, legendary pirate captain, loses the Black Pearl to his enemy Barbossa. Bar uses it to attack Port Royal and kidnap the governor's daughter.

Will Turner, skilled blacksmith with a sword, joins Jack to save them and reveal the curse of this cursed captain and his crew, condemned to wander like the living dead, victims of a stolen treasure. Directed by Gore Verbinski and released in 2003, the film received five Oscar nominations.

📍 Location from the first Pirates of the Caribbean :

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States (specifically Los Angeles, California, and Palos Verdes)

✅ The best of the saga, and the obligatory starting point. If you had to see only one, this is it.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

No. 2 "The secret of the cursed chest

Jack Sparrow is back with all the familiar elements: adventure, dark magic, and a touch of mystery. This time, he faces the terrifying Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman, who is bound by a sinister fate.

Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann join Sparrow to get their hands on the Dead Man's Chest, the only way to’escape the curse of Davy Jones.

Still directed by Gore Verbinski and released in 2006, the film leaves the’intrigue in suspense in the middle of the action, serving mainly as a prelude to the third, unresolved part.

📍 Location of the second film in the franchise:

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and the United States (Los Angeles, California, and Palos Verdes).

👉 The secret of the cursed chest is indispensable This is half 1 of the franchise's strongest arc.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

No. 3 "To the Ends of the Earth"

Turner and Swann join forces with Barbossa for to rescue Sparrow, prisoner of the captain of the Flying Dutchman.

Jack is one of nine pirate lords of the Brotherhood Court, forced to unite in a final battle to preserve the pirate way of life, synonymous with freedom.

Gore Verbinski brings his trilogy to a close with a film released in 2007.

📍 Location of the third film:

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, The Bahamas (White Caye, Exumas), USA (Golden Oak Ranch, California, Niagara Falls, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, Rancho Guadalupe Dunes, Pohaku Mauliuli Beach, Molokai, Hawaii, Greenland).

✅ This is the conclusion of the original trilogy. A little long and bushy, but it rake the main arch cleanly. A must if you've seen the first two.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

No. 4 "The Fountain of Youth

The realization here goes to Rob Marshall. Jack meets Angelica, pirate in search of the Fountain of Youth, while Ian McShane plays the fearsome Blackbeard, in command of the ship Queen Anne’s Revenge, and Barbossa makes its comeback.

The quality of the saga is declining, and this film, released in 2011, received mixed reviews. It follows the usual formula, relying on Johnny Depp's charisma, although the latter is beginning to lose its luster.

📍 Filming location of the fourth film :

• USA (Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii) and England (Hampton Court Palace, London).

🧐 This one's dispensable if you're in a hurry. Entertaining, but clearly below the trilogy, and without Will or Elizabeth. A must-see if you really like the universe.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

No. 5 «Salazar's Revenge»

For this fifth opus, director duo Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg take the helm. Javier Bardem stars as the cursed Captain Salazar, an undead man determined to eliminate all pirates.

Released in 2017, Salazar's Revenge follows a similar formula, with a trident to be found as the new challenge.

Critics are divided, but the audience continues to support the series, which is what matters most.

📍 Location of the fifth film :

• Queensland (Gold Coast, Whitsundays)

👌A notch above the 4 for many, with beautiful scenes and the return of familiar faces. Not essential, but a fitting end to the Johnny Depp era. Stay until after the credits.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

Should you watch all 5 Pirates of the Caribbean films?

Is it absolutely necessary to see all five? Yes if you want it complete saga.

• The first three films form the the heart of the story and are unanimously acclaimed.
• Sections 4 and 5 are more uneven and received mixed, but are still good fun if you like the universe.

You can therefore stop after the trilogy without missing anything essential, or continue to stay with the Captain Jack Sparrow all the way.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6

What's the latest on Pirates of the Caribbean 6?

The project is now presented as a reboot of the saga.

At the beginning of 2026, one of the leads suggested a plot centered on Jack Sparrow's son. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has denied that Disney is turning the page on Johnny Depp: his return to the role would depend above all on the script.

Initially mooted as a Margot Robbie spin-off, the film finally changed direction. To date, nor the casting nor the release date have been formalized.

Where it all began

When it comes to films that have raised doubts about their success, the « Pirates of the Caribbean »is a clear standout, despite being one of the most expensive films in history. Two major obstacles stood in its way:

• Firstly, its premise was based on a Disneyland attraction.
• Secondly, the genre to which it belonged was in loss of speed, following the notable failures of revival attempts such as «L'île aux têtes coupées» (Island of Severed Heads).

The starting point was a bold one: to create a film based on a amusement park attraction, and this in a genre considered unprofitable at the time.

However, played by Johnny Depp, who brought a fantastic, charismatic and extravagant touch to the character, «Pirates of the Caribbean» became a phenomenon that propelled the franchise to unexpected heights.

Talented actors for iconic characters

The franchise has seen a plethora of players over the years. The various «Pirates of the Caribbean» films have gone through various stages, bringing to a close the story arcs of certain main characters who no longer make an appearance in installments 4 and 5.

Behind the camera, several directors succeeded one another: Gore Verbinski on the first three films, Rob Marshall on The Fountain of Youth, then the duo Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg on Salazar's Revenge.

In this table, we list the talents who have left their mark on these films with their respective roles:

Now you know all the secrets of the « Pirates of the Caribbean ». Do you like must-have sagas? Discover also :

• In which order to watch Fast and Furious