You’d think it’s a simple number. You go to Disney+, you scroll through the tiles, and you count 'em. But if you’re asking how many Pirates of the Caribbean films are there, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re counting what’s on the shelf right now or what’s currently being cooked up in a studio lot in Burbank.
As of early 2026, there are five released feature films in the main saga.
That’s the "official" count for your weekend binge-watch. However, if you're a die-hard fan waiting for the next time the Jolly Roger flies, the story is a lot more complicated than a single digit. We're currently sitting in this weird, salty limbo where a sixth movie is essentially a "when," not an "if," yet it’s been nearly a decade since we last saw Jack Sparrow stumble off a jetty.
The Five Films We Actually Have
Most of us grew up with these movies, or at least remember the absolute chokehold the first trilogy had on pop culture in the mid-2000s. It’s easy to forget that back in 2003, people thought a movie based on a theme park ride was a one-way ticket to a box office disaster.
Then Johnny Depp showed up wearing guano-streaked eyeliner and changed everything.
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- The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): This is the one that started it all. It introduced us to the holy trinity of Jack, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann. Honestly? It’s still the best one.
- Dead Man’s Chest (2006): Remember the CGI for Davy Jones? It still looks better than half the superhero movies coming out today. This movie was a massive hit, crossing that billion-dollar mark when that actually meant something rare.
- At World’s End (2007): The "final" chapter of the original trilogy. It’s long. It’s chaotic. There are about fifty betrayals per hour. But it wrapped up the Will and Elizabeth story... or so we thought.
- On Stranger Tides (2011): This is where the franchise started to drift. No Orlando Bloom, no Keira Knightley. Just Jack, Barbossa, and a very expensive search for the Fountain of Youth. It made a billion dollars, but a lot of fans felt it lacked the "soul" of the first three.
- Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017): Also known as Salazar’s Revenge depending on where you live. This one brought back the Turner family legacy and gave us Javier Bardem as a ghost who looks like he’s constantly underwater.
Why Everyone is Asking About Pirates 6
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen some fan-made "concept trailers" for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. They look real, they have millions of views, and they’ve convinced half the internet that Johnny Depp is already back on set.
Here is the actual reality.
Jerry Bruckheimer, the legendary producer behind the whole series, has been very vocal over the last year. He’s basically confirmed that Disney is working on a sixth film, and it’s likely going to be a "reboot." Now, "reboot" is a scary word in Hollywood. It usually means "we’re starting over because the old actors are too expensive or don't want to come back."
But Bruckheimer is also a guy who knows what the audience wants. He’s mentioned that there have been two different scripts in play. One was the much-discussed Margot Robbie spinoff—a "female-led" pirate adventure. For a while, people thought that was dead in the water, but as of late 2025/early 2026, Bruckheimer has stated that Margot is still involved in some capacity.
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The Jack Sparrow Elephant in the Room
The biggest question isn't just how many Pirates of the Caribbean films are there, but whether the next one counts if Johnny Depp isn't in it.
After all the legal drama and his "not for 300 million dollars and a million alpacas" comment, things have softened. Reports from late 2025 suggest that Disney and Depp have been in "advanced talks" for him to return as Jack Sparrow. It might not be a lead role. It might be a passing of the torch. But let’s be real: Jack Sparrow is the franchise. Without him, it’s just a movie about boats and hats.
Is There a Release Date for the Next One?
Don't book your theater tickets just yet. While there's huge momentum, filming hasn't officially wrapped on a sixth installment. The most reliable whispers from industry insiders suggest a target for late 2026 or summer 2027.
The script is being handled by Craig Mazin (the guy who did The Last of Us and Chernobyl) and Ted Elliott (who wrote the original films). That’s a powerhouse duo. If they can capture the wit of the first movie while bringing in a fresh cast—possibly including names like Jenna Ortega, who has been heavily rumored—the franchise might actually survive its second decade.
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Actionable Tips for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re planning to dive back into the Caribbean, don't just watch them in order. Try these "pro-pirate" tips to get the most out of the lore:
- Watch the Post-Credit Scenes: Every single movie has one. Most people skip them. If you haven't seen the one at the end of Dead Men Tell No Tales, you’re missing a huge teaser for the return of a certain clawed villain.
- Look for the Ride Easter Eggs: The movies are littered with nods to the original Disney World attraction. From the "dog with the keys" to the specific dialogue in the first ten minutes of Black Pearl, it’s a fun scavenger hunt.
- Check Out "Tales of the Code: Wedlocked": This is a 10-minute short film that serves as a prequel to the first movie. It explains why Jack’s boat was sinking when he arrived in Port Royal. It’s canon, and most people don’t even know it exists.
The sea is a big place, and while there are only five movies you can watch tonight, the horizon is looking pretty crowded for the next couple of years. Keep your eyes on the official Disney announcements, and maybe keep a bottle of rum nearby—just in case.
To get the most out of the series before the next chapter drops, your best move is to head over to Disney+ and re-watch the original trilogy (1-3) as a single, continuous story arc. Focus specifically on the post-credit scene of the fifth film, as that is the primary narrative bridge the writers are currently using to build the script for the upcoming sixth movie.