Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
★★★★ — Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Released in the summer of 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl had a famously unlikely origin, being adapted from a Disney theme park ride, a premise that raised considerable scepticism before production even began. Gore Verbinski, who had come off the surprise horror hit The Ring (2002), took on what was a genuinely risky proposition for the studio, with a $140 million budget and a two-and-a-half hour runtime for what many expected to be disposable family entertainment. The film proved a defining moment for Johnny Depp, whose eccentric, rock-star-influenced characterisation of Captain Jack Sparrow was reportedly alarming to Disney executives during production, before it became one of the most recognisable performances of the decade. The enormous box office return (north of $650 million worldwide) launched one of the studio's most lucrative franchises.
Yo ho yo ho a pirate's life for me. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the perfect adventure film. It’s got swashbuckling action, a cracking sense of humour, a genuinely great story, and one of the most iconic characters to ever grace the screen in Captain Jack Sparrow. Johnny Depp’s performance is legendary, equal parts chaotic and calculated, and somehow manages to be both deeply charismatic and utterly unpredictable. I akin this to Heath Ledger's Joker in it's "Cannot possibly be done by someone else" level of skill. It’s a rare blockbuster that appeals to literally everyone. Kids love it, adults love it, and over 20 years later, the visual effects and cinematography still hold up. The cursed crew of the Black Pearl are brilliantly eerie, and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa is the perfect pirate. The world-building is top-tier, making you genuinely feel like it's a living, breathing world. The only downside? It's the best in the franchise.
Rating: ★★★★ | Year: 2003 | Watched: 2003-12-11
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Gore Verbinski: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) · Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
More with Johnny Depp: Corpse Bride (2005) · Black Mass (2015) · Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) · Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
More from the 2000s: Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) · Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) · Daredevil (2003) · Apocalypto (2006)
More adventure: Alice in Wonderland (1951) · The Eagle (1925) · Louisiana Story (1948) · The General (1926)
More fantasy: Viy (1967) · Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025)
