The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is one of the most beloved Disney franchises to come out of the early 2000s. Based on the Disneyland ride of the same name, the Pirates films follow the story of one Captain Jack Sparrow, a notorious pirate known for his eccentric mannerisms, perpetual tipsiness, and surprisingly sharp instincts as he sails the Caribbean seas on both noble and distinctly ignoble quests. Taking place in a fantasy 18th century, the Pirates films brought audiences on uniquely fun swashbuckling adventures over the course of five films from 2003 and 2017.
If you’ve rewatched the Pirates movies hundreds of times, it might be time to take a look at some other movies similar to Pirates of the Caribbean. So if you’re not ready to disembark the Black Pearl yet, check out these 10 movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and find out where you can watch them below!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
The Indiana Jones franchise, like Pirates of the Caribbean, is also made up of five films. Created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, the Indiana Jones series stars Harrison Ford as the titular charismatic professor and archaeologist. Indy’s dedication to ancient artefacts takes him all over the world, where he faces off against Nazis, ancient cults, and Soviet spies in order to make sure these powerful treasures do not fall into the wrong hands.
In 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indy finds himself chasing down the powerful Sankara Stones in India, going up against a dangerous cult led by Mola Ram who aims to use the stones for world domination. If you love the adventure, supernatural elements, witty protagonists, and blend of action, humour, and epic storytelling in the Pirates franchise, make sure to check out Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves
This fantasy adventure film from 2023 is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons role play game. The film is directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley and stars Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis as a ragtag team of unlikely heroes assembled to steal back an ancient relic after it falls into the wrong hands.
Similar to Pirates, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves combines supernatural elements with action, drama, and a lot of well-timed comedic moments to produce a fun swashbuckling tale sure to entertain any lover of fantasy adventure movies.
The Mummy
The Mummy is an iconic action-adventure film from 1999 written and directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The film follows the story of two Egyptologists, Fraser’s Rick and Weisz’s Evelyn, who must find a way to end the terror after the cursed ancient mummy Imhotep is accidentally reawakened.
Like Pirates, The Mummy is a fun action-adventure movie that features a dazzling mix of drama, humour, sword fighting, unleashed curses, and some horror elements — all while still being appropriate for those 12 and older.
National Treasure
National Treasure is a 2004 heist-adventure starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Sean Bean, and Jon Voight. The film follows the story of historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) as he embarks on a mission to solve a family secret tied to the Freemasons that leads him all the way to the back of the United States Declaration of Independence.
National Treasure, like Pirates, blends supernatural elements with historical treasure hunting, action, and a balance of seriousness with humour. If you’re looking for a fun fantasy adventure that ups the mystery elements, make sure to check out National Treasure.
Hook
Hook is an iconic fantasy adventure film from 1991 directed by Steven Spielberg and starring legendary actors Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, and Maggie Smith, amongst others. The film takes a unique look at the story of Peter Pan, imagining what would have happened if Peter left Neverland and grew up. Now a full adult with kids of his own, Peter has forgotten who he used to be. But when his nemesis Captain Hook manages to abduct his children and hold them for ransom, Peter must find his way back to Neverland and remember who he was in order to get them back.
Hook is one of the most family-friendly entries on this list. While it shares similar themes, supernatural elements, and adventure mixed with humour and action with the Pirates films, it is far less violent and even more heartwarming. If you love Pirates’ more tender and character-based moments, don’t miss out on this absolute classic.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Based on the captivating 19th century novel of the same name by French author Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo has seen many screen adaptations. Known as one of the greatest revenge stories of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo tells the tale of Edmond Dantés, a happy young merchant sailor who is about to be married when he is betrayed by his closest friend, Fernand Mondego. He finds himself arrested and imprisoned on an island, where he plots his revenge for years. After escapes and recovers a vast fortune, he begins to carry out his devastating plot.
While The Count of Monte Cristo takes a far more serious tone than Pirates of the Caribbean, if you’re in the mood for a film full of period costumes, sword fights, treasure hunting, and sweet revenge, make sure to check out The Count of Monte Cristo.
The Mask of Zorro
The Mask of Zorro is a 1998 action-adventure film directed by Martin Campbell and starring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film takes place in the 19th century and follows the story of a masked vigilante, Zorro, who defends the innocent from corrupt injustice. He is caught and imprisoned by the evil governor Montero, who raises Zorro’s daughter as his own. Zorro eventually escapes some 20 years later, and teams up with his successor to exact revenge.
While Zorro is far less drunk and unruly than Jack Sparrow, the two share not only their sword-fighting skills but also their morals. While Jack might try and hide it, he is always on the side of the downtrodden, much like Zorro. Both Pirates and The Mask of Zorro also feature lots of top sword fighting, high stakes action, and a mix of drama and lighthearted humour.
Master and Commander
Master and Commander is a 2003 period war-drama directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The film takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the British captain Jack Aubrey’s dogged pursuit of an illusive French vessel off the coast of South America.
Although Master and Commander is far more dramatic than the Pirates of the Caribbean films, they share similar elements of sea warfare, camaraderie in the face of hardship, and in their charismatic protagonists. Check out Master and Commander if you’re in the mood for a more serious and historically realistic approach to 19th century seafaring life.
Sherlock Holmes
Although the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes has had many on-screen adaptations, Guy Ritchie’s 2009 version starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law is the most similar in tone and style to Pirates of the Caribbean. The film takes place in late 19th century London, where Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate a series of mysterious, seemingly supernatural deaths linked to a shadowy organisation.
Similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, Sherlock Holmes is a fast-paced actioner with a mix of mystery, drama, and plenty of lighthearted humour. While Holmes and Sparrow are two wildly different protagonists in temperament, both are strategic and think outside of the box in ways that ultimately make them come out on top.
The Princess Bride
Last but in no way least, we have the iconic swashbuckling fantasy adventure The Princess Bride. Made in 1987, The Princess Bride is adapted by Rob Reiner from William Goldman’s novel of the same name, and stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, and others. The story takes place in a mediaeval fantasy world where a young couple are separated after the man is presumed lost at sea. When he returns alive, now as an infamous pirate, he finds she is to be married to the evil prince who seeks to use her as a pawn to start a war. In order to save her and finally be together, they must brave all manner of plots and creatures — while getting a little help from their friends.
The Princess Bride is one of the more family-friendly entries on this list — but that doesn’t stop it from having some great sword fights and epic revenge plots. Like Pirates, The Princess Bride also balances humour with action and tender hearted moments. With so many quotable lines, it’s definitely one to watch and rewatch until the end of time.
Where can I watch movies like Pirates of the Caribbean online?
Find out how (and where) to watch all of the 10 movies like Pirates of the Caribbean by scrolling down to the list below. The films are all available to stream across a variety of platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, and more!
