You’d think it would be simple, right? Just watch them as they came out. But honestly, the order of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies is a bit of a chaotic journey, much like Jack Sparrow trying to navigate with a compass that doesn't point north. If you grew up with these films, you remember the absolute mania surrounding Johnny Depp’s kohl-rimmed eyes and that Hans Zimmer score that still makes everyone want to swing from a chandelier.
But here’s the thing.
If you skip one, or god forbid, watch the fifth one before the second, the lore becomes a total mess. We’re talking about a franchise that started as a theme park ride—something everyone thought would flop—and turned into a multi-billion dollar epic involving Aztec gold, Davy Jones’ locker, and the literal personification of Calypso. It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Release Date Order is the Only Way to Fly
Seriously. Don’t try to get fancy with chronologies or weird fan edits. The story of Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Jack is built on a very specific set of character reveals.
First up, you’ve got The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). It’s basically a perfect movie. No, really. Screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio managed to take a Disney World boat ride and turn it into a swashbuckling masterpiece that earned Johnny Depp an Oscar nomination. It introduces the Aztec gold curse and the fundamental dynamic of the "honest" Will Turner vs. the "dishonest" Jack Sparrow.
Then comes the "Dead Man's Chest" (2006). This is where things get dark. It’s also where we meet Bill Nighy as Davy Jones. The CGI on his tentacle face still holds up better than most Marvel movies made last week. It was followed quickly by "At World’s End" (2007). These two were basically filmed back-to-back, and they function as two halves of one massive story.
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If you stop there, you’ve finished the "original trilogy." Most purists say this is the peak.
The Soft Reboot Era
After a four-year break, Disney realized they liked money too much to stop. So, we got On Stranger Tides (2011). This one is the outlier in the order of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It features Penelope Cruz and focuses on the Fountain of Youth. It’s mostly a standalone adventure, which is why some fans find it a bit jarring.
Finally, there’s Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)—or Salazar’s Revenge depending on where you live in the world. This one tries to bring it all back home by focusing on the next generation, specifically Will and Elizabeth’s son, Henry. It’s a bit of a bumpy ride, but for completionists, it’s a must.
Why the Order of the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Matters for the Lore
People forget that these movies are actually quite complicated. It’s not just "pirates go argh." There is a deep, weird mythology at play here.
Take the Brethren Court, for example. In At World’s End, you have to understand the political landscape of the pirate lords. If you haven’t seen the setup in the previous two films regarding the East India Trading Company and Lord Cutler Beckett, the whole "meeting of the nine pieces of eight" feels like a weird Renaissance fair gathering rather than a desperate last stand for freedom.
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Then there’s the heart. Davy Jones’ heart. The rules of who stabs the heart and who becomes the captain of the Flying Dutchman are vital. If you’re watching the order of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies out of sequence, the ending of the fifth film makes zero sense. You won’t understand why a certain character is stuck at the bottom of the ocean or why a certain curse breaking is such a big deal.
What Happened to the Future of the Franchise?
It's been a long time since 2017. Everyone wants to know if there’s a "Pirates 6."
The reality is messy. For a while, there was talk of a Margot Robbie-led spinoff. Then there were rumors about Johnny Depp returning after his very public legal battles, though nothing is set in stone. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been vocal about wanting to keep the brand alive, but the script seems to be in development hell.
One thing is certain: you can't just replace Jack Sparrow. He’s the engine. Without that specific brand of stumbling, drunken brilliance, it’s just a movie about boats.
Watching the Short Film
Most people don’t know this, but there is actually a "prequel" of sorts. It’s called Tales of the Code: Wedlocked. It’s a short film included on some Blu-ray releases. It takes place before the first movie and explains why Jack Sparrow’s boat, the Jolly Mon, was sinking when he arrived in Port Royal. If you are a true nerd about the order of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you should hunt this down. It features the two wenches Jack famously mentions in the first film—Scarlett and Giselle.
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Practical Tips for Your Next Marathon
If you're planning to binge these, grab a lot of snacks. We’re talking over 12 hours of footage.
- Skip the mid-credits scenes at your peril. Almost every single movie has a "stinger" at the very end of the credits. The one at the end of At World's End is actually crucial for the emotional payoff of Will and Elizabeth’s story.
- Pay attention to the background characters. Characters like Pintel and Ragetti (the two bumbling pirates from the first three films) actually have some of the best lines and provide a grounded perspective on the supernatural madness.
- The music is the guide. Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt created themes for specific characters. If you hear a certain cello riff, pay attention—it usually signals a betrayal or a major character entrance before they even appear on screen.
The best way to experience this world is to start at the beginning. Don't look for shortcuts. The order of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies is designed to build a world where the "golden age of piracy" is dying, being replaced by cold, hard bureaucracy. It’s a tragedy wrapped in an action-comedy, and it only works if you watch the transition from the bright, sunny Caribbean of the first film to the literal edge of the world in the third.
Go find a copy of The Curse of the Black Pearl. Turn up the volume. Ignore the fact that the fourth and fifth movies have some plot holes you could sail a Man-o'-War through. Just enjoy the ride.
The next logical step for any fan is to track down the "Tales of the Code" short film to see the backstory of the Port Royal incident. After that, look into the production design of the Queen Anne’s Revenge from the fourth film; it’s one of the most historically detailed (yet terrifying) ships ever built for cinema.