Look, we all know the drill. You want to binge the potc movies in order because you've got a weekend to kill and a sudden, inexplicable urge to drink rum while Jack Sparrow stumbles across a deck. But if you think it’s as simple as just clicking through a Disney Plus playlist, you’re kinda wrong. There is a hidden short film most people miss, and the timeline actually jumps around more than a monkey with a cursed coin.
Honestly, the franchise is a bit of a mess. It started as a theme park ride that nobody thought would work as a movie—the industry basically laughed at Disney in 2003—and ended up as a five-film behemoth that grossed over $4.5 billion. But if you want to actually understand why Jack is being slapped by every woman in Tortuga or how the "Brethren Court" even functions, you have to look at the chronological timeline, not just the release dates.
The Secret Prequel: Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (2011)
Wait, what? Yeah. Most fans don't even know this exists. It’s a ten-minute short film that was tucked away in a Blu-ray box set years ago.
It takes place literally minutes before the first movie starts. If you remember that iconic shot of Jack Sparrow standing on the mast of a sinking boat at the start of The Curse of the Black Pearl, this short explains why that boat was such a piece of junk. It stars the two wenches, Scarlett and Giselle, who are both getting ready for their "wedding" to the same guy. Spoiler: it’s Jack.
It’s not essential viewing, but if you're a completionist trying to watch the potc movies in order, this is technically the starting line. It also explains how Cotton lost his tongue, which is a weirdly dark bit of lore for a Disney short.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
This is the one that started it all. Total lightning in a bottle. Johnny Depp’s performance was so weird that Disney executives reportedly panicked, thinking he was "ruining" the movie by acting drunk or "gay." Instead, he created a cultural icon.
The plot is tight. Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) is a blacksmith who needs to save Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) from undead pirates. Hector Barbossa, played by the legendary Geoffrey Rush, is the villain who just wants to eat a crisp apple again. It’s perfect. It’s 1720s Caribbean vibes at their peak.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
Things get heavy here. The budget exploded, and so did the CGI. This is where we meet Davy Jones, the man with the squid face and the pipe organ. Bill Nighy’s performance under all those digital tentacles is still some of the best motion-capture work in history.
The story shifts from simple ghost pirates to high-concept mythology. Jack owes a soul-debt to Jones, and the Kraken is out for blood. The movie ends on a massive cliffhanger—Jack gets eaten. Literally. He’s gone. If you were watching these in real-time back in 2006, the wait for the next one was agonizing.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
This movie is long. Like, really long. 169 minutes of pure chaos. It tries to wrap up every single plot thread from the first two films while introducing a global pirate council and a literal goddess named Calypso.
Chronologically, it follows immediately after Dead Man’s Chest. The crew travels to the afterlife (Davy Jones' Locker) to get Jack back. The final battle happens inside a massive maelstrom in the middle of the ocean. It’s peak Gore Verbinski—the director who somehow convinced Disney to spend hundreds of millions on a movie where the main characters are essentially all double-crossing each other every five minutes.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
This is where the timeline takes a breath. It’s set a few years after the original trilogy. Will and Elizabeth are gone (mostly), and the focus shifts entirely to Jack.
He’s looking for the Fountain of Youth. You’ve got Ian McShane playing Blackbeard, which is casting genius, and Penélope Cruz as Jack’s old flame. It feels more like a standalone adventure than a sequel. Fun fact: This is actually the most expensive movie ever made when you adjust for inflation and production costs, sitting at a staggering $378 million.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Or Salazar’s Revenge, depending on where you live. This one tries to go back to the roots. We meet Will Turner’s son, Henry, and a new heroine, Carina Smyth.
The timeline places this about 20 years after At World's End. Javier Bardem plays Captain Salazar, a ghost who hates Jack because Jack tricked him into a "Devil's Triangle" trap when they were both much younger. It’s a bit of a "greatest hits" reel for the franchise, but it does give a very emotional (and seemingly final) closure to the Will and Elizabeth story arc.
The Big Question: What’s Happening with Pirates 6?
It’s 2026, and the rumor mill is spinning faster than a compass that doesn't point north. For a while, everyone thought the franchise was dead because of Johnny Depp's legal battles and Disney's hesitation.
But here’s the reality: Jerry Bruckheimer is still pushing for it. There have been two scripts in development for years. One was a "female-led" reboot potentially starring Margot Robbie, and the other was a more traditional sequel. Recently, the talk has shifted toward a "total reboot."
Will Depp come back? Honestly, it’s a coin flip. He said he wouldn't return for "300 million dollars and a million alpacas," but more recent reports suggest he’s in "advanced talks" for a cameo or a legacy role. Disney knows they can’t really sell this franchise without that specific swagger.
Watching the Potc Movies in Order: The Practical List
If you just want the list without the fluff, here it is. Use this to track your progress:
- Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (Short film, set right before movie 1)
- The Curse of the Black Pearl (The 2003 original)
- Dead Man’s Chest (The 2006 Kraken sequel)
- At World’s End (The 2007 trilogy closer)
- On Stranger Tides (The 2011 Fountain of Youth quest)
- Dead Men Tell No Tales (The 2017 legacy sequel)
Don't bother with the books or the video games unless you're deep into the lore, as most of them aren't considered hard canon by the film writers.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning a marathon, start with the 2011 short film Wedlocked—it’s on various video-sharing sites since it’s hard to find on streaming. Watch the first three movies as a single block; they are essentially one giant story. You can treat On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales as an extended "After Hours" session. Keep an eye on official Disney casting calls later this year, as production for the next installment is rumored to finally break ground in late 2026.