Honestly, if you're just looking for a quick number to settle a bet at the pub, the answer is five. There are five full-length Pirates of the Caribbean movies that have actually hit theaters. But if you’ve been hanging around the Disney+ rumor mill lately, you know that "five" is a bit of a loaded answer. It’s like asking how many ships are in Jack Sparrow’s fleet—it depends on who’s asking and whether anyone’s been marooned lately.
We haven’t seen a new film since 2017. That’s a long time. People are getting antsy.
The Official Five: The Core Franchise So Far
The series started back in 2003 with The Curse of the Black Pearl. Nobody thought a movie based on a theme park ride would work. Critics were ready to bury it. Then Johnny Depp stumbled onto the screen as Captain Jack Sparrow, and suddenly Disney had a multi-billion dollar juggernaut on its hands.
Since then, the release schedule has been a bit of a roller coaster. You've got the original trilogy, which most fans consider the "golden era," and then the two later sequels that—well, let's just say they had mixed reviews. Here is how they actually rolled out:
- The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): The one that started it all.
- Dead Man’s Chest (2006): The one with the Kraken and Davy Jones’s beard.
- At World’s End (2007): The massive, three-hour epic that felt like the end of an era.
- On Stranger Tides (2011): A weird pivot with mermaids and Blackbeard.
- Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017): The most recent one, featuring a ghostly Javier Bardem.
The total count is five. That’s the definitive answer for your trivia night.
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Why Everyone Is Asking: How Many Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Are There Right Now?
The reason this question keeps popping up in 2026 is that the franchise is basically in "development hell" purgatory. We are currently sitting on five movies, but there are at least two or three "almost" movies floating around in the mist.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been talking about Pirates 6 for years. It’s confirmed. It’s happening. But it hasn’t been filmed yet. Depending on who you talk to, it’s either a hard reboot or a "legacy" sequel that might bring back the old guard.
Then there’s the Margot Robbie project. You might remember the headlines from a couple of years back—a female-led spin-off written by Christina Hodson. It was "dead," then it was "alive," and now Bruckheimer says the script is still sitting there, waiting for the right moment. If both of those get made, the answer to how many Pirates of the Caribbean movies are there will suddenly jump to seven.
The Johnny Depp Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about how many movies there are without talking about Captain Jack. For a long time, the number stayed at five because Disney and Johnny Depp were effectively "divorced" following his very public legal battles.
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Depp famously said during his trial that he wouldn't come back for "300 million dollars and a million alpacas." But money talks, and so does fan pressure. As of early 2026, the rumors are louder than ever. Some reports suggest Disney has a script specifically written to include a cameo or a supporting role for Jack Sparrow, while other scripts focus on a younger cast.
If Depp doesn't return, does the sixth movie even feel like part of the set? Most fans would say no.
What About the Short Films?
If you want to be that person who wins the argument on a technicality, there is actually a sixth "film," but it’s a short. Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (2011) is a 10-minute prequel that serves as a bit of a backstory for why those two brides were so mad at Jack in the first movie. It’s canon, it stars some of the original cast, but it’s definitely not a "feature film."
The Roadmap for the Future
If you’re planning a marathon, stick to the five. It’ll take you about 12 hours if you don't skip the credits. But keep your eye on the horizon.
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The current state of Pirates 6 is that it’s "imminent" in Hollywood terms, which usually means they’re still arguing over the budget. We’re likely looking at a late 2026 or 2027 release date if cameras start rolling soon.
Next Steps for the Super-Fan:
- Check Disney+ Extras: Most people miss Tales of the Code: Wedlocked. It’s a fun little deep dive if you’ve already seen the main five a dozen times.
- Watch the Post-Credit Scenes: Seriously, if you haven't seen the end of Dead Men Tell No Tales, you're missing a massive teaser involving Davy Jones that might be the key to the next movie.
- Monitor Trade Publications: Ignore the TikTok rumors. If you want the real scoop on whether the movie count is hitting six, keep an eye on Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for actual casting calls.
The franchise isn't dead; it's just waiting for the tide to come back in.