Before Hollywood became saturated with interconnected franchises, Pirates of the Caribbean stood as one of the few original blockbuster series capable of delivering consistent hits. The swashbuckling adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow defined summer cinema for over a decade, blending supernatural mythology with character-driven humor.

Now, after more than ten years since the last installment, a sixth film is on the horizon with Johnny Depp potentially returning. Fans are eager to revisit the high seas before the new voyage begins.

Here is the ranking of the last five films of the series. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales holds the lowest critical scores in the franchise, with a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 39 Metascore. The film introduced Captain Salazar, a ghostly Spanish pirate hunter, and attempted to revitalize the series with new characters like Henry Turner and Carina Smyth. Critics described the plot as disjointed and overly reliant on noisy action sequences.

Audiences responded more warmly, giving the film an A− CinemaScore and an 81 percent positive rating on PostTrak. Johnny Depp’s performance as Jack Sparrow remained a highlight, though many felt the story lacked the charm of earlier entries. The film grossed $796 million worldwide, making it the second-lowest earning entry after On Stranger Tides.

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With the fifth film anchoring the bottom of the list, the fourth installment sails just slightly ahead.

On Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides earned a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 45 Metascore, marking the franchise’s first major critical decline. The film abandoned the original trio of Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and Barbossa in favor of a new storyline involving Blackbeard and Angelica. Critics noted the disjointed plot and excessive action sequences as major weaknesses.

Despite poor reviews, the film became the highest-grossing entry in the series, earning over $1 billion worldwide. Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane received praise for their performances, while Johnny Depp continued to deliver his signature portrayal of Jack Sparrow. The film’s production budget exceeded $378 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever made at the time.

As the fourth film struggles to find its footing, the third entry offers a more ambitious yet flawed conclusion to the original trilogy.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End holds a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 50 Metascore, reflecting mixed critical reception. The film concluded the original trilogy with an epic battle involving Davy Jones, the Brethren Court and the East India Trading Company. Critics praised the visual spectacle but criticized the overcrowded plot and convoluted storylines.

Audiences responded positively, awarding the film an A− CinemaScore and a 7.1 IMDb rating. The runtime exceeded three hours, allowing for extensive character development and world-building. Geoffrey Rush’s performance as Barbossa and Bill Nighy’s portrayal of Davy Jones remained standout elements. The film grossed $963 million worldwide, solidifying the franchise’s box office dominance.

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With the trilogy’s finale in place, the second film emerges as a darker and more commercially successful chapter.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest achieved a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 53 Metascore, yet it became the first film in the series to cross $1 billion at the box office. The story introduced Davy Jones and the Kraken while deepening the mythology of the Flying Dutchman. Critics described the film as overstuffed but acknowledged its ambitious scope and visual effects.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and earned a 7.4 IMDb rating from over 800,000 users. Johnny Depp’s performance as Jack Sparrow reached new heights, blending humor with genuine pathos. The cliffhanger ending generated significant anticipation for the trilogy’s conclusion. The film grossed $1.066 billion worldwide, setting a new benchmark for the franchise.

As the second film secures its place near the top, the original remains the most critically acclaimed adventure of them all.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl stands as the highest-rated film in the franchise, with a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 63 Metascore. The film introduced Johnny Depp’s iconic Captain Jack Sparrow alongside Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Critics praised its blend of supernatural elements, character-driven humor and inventive action sequences.

The film earned an A CinemaScore and an 8.0 IMDb rating, becoming a cultural phenomenon upon release. It revitalized the pirate genre and launched one of Hollywood’s most successful franchises. The movie grossed $654 million worldwide and received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Depp.

The sixth installment remains in development limbo, with no confirmed release date or finalized script. Production timelines have shifted repeatedly due to creative differences and casting uncertainties surrounding Johnny Depp’s potential return. Disney has not announced an official start date for filming, leaving fans in suspense about when Captain Jack Sparrow will set sail again.

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What do you think about this ranking of the Pirates of The Caribbean series? Let us know in the comments.