10 Movies Like Pirates of the Caribbean (and Where to Watch Them)

The Indiana Jones franchise, like Pirates of the Caribbean, is made up of five films. Created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, the series stars Harrison Ford as the titular 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 (and are also a fan of Ford from movies like Star Wars and The Fugitive), make sure to check out Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom.

This fantasy adventure film from 2023 is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game—which should be familiar to fans of Stranger Things. 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 that’s sure to entertain any lover of fantasy adventure movies.

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. If you’re a fan of adventure movies that play with historical elements, like The Da Vinci Code, this one might be up your street.

National Treasure is a 2004 heist-adventure film 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 nice balance of seriousness and humour. If you’re looking for a fun fantasy adventure (again, similar to pulpy page-turner movies like The Mummy and Da Vinci Code) that ups the mystery elements, make sure to check out National Treasure.

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. 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 (Williams) 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 rediscover the lost boy within.

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—although Hoffman’s great portrayal of Hook can be a little scary. If you love Pirates’ more tender and character-based moments and like all things Robin Williams (especially movies like Patch Adams and Jack), don’t miss out on this absolute classic.

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 over the years—but this 2002 version, starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, is probably the best of the lot. 

Known as one of the greatest revenge stories of all time, it tells the tale of Edmond Dantés, a happy young merchant sailor who is betrayed by his closest friend, Fernand Mondego. He finds himself arrested and imprisoned on an island, where he plots his revenge for years.  

This one might take a more serious tone than the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but if you’re in the mood for a film full of period costumes (in the style of Zorro or The Three Musketeers), sword fights, treasure hunting, and sweet revenge, make sure to check it out.

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, named 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 charisma and their morals—Jack might try and hide it, but he’s 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. If you liked Banderas’ work in the Puss in Boots films, consider this the OG. 

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—notably their charismatic protagonists and incredible depictions of sea warfare, but also the themes of camaraderie in the face of hardship. Check out Master and Commander if you’re a fan of Weir (The Truman Show) or Crowe (Gladiator) or if you’re simply in the mood for a more serious and historically realistic approach to 19th century seafaring life.

Although the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes has had many on-screen adaptations (the BBC’s modern take, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, is legendary), Guy Ritchie’s 2009 version starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law is the most similar in tone and style to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The film takes place in late 19th century London, where 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—Netflix’s recent Elona Holmes is also a pretty close comp. 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.

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, and the great Peter Falk. The story takes place in a medieval 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 an evil prince who seeks to use her as a pawn to start a war. 

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 and classic movies like The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Princess Bride also balances humour with action and more tender hearted moments. With so many quotable lines, it’s definitely one to watch and rewatch until the end of time.