Despite the critical drubbing of the fifth film, the commercial appetite for Pirates remains robust. Dead Men Tell No Tales grossed nearly $800 million worldwide, proving that audiences still love the nautical mythology. However, Disney is acutely aware of franchise fatigue. The bloated runtimes, convoluted lore, and the diminishing returns of Johnny Depp’s eccentric performance (due to off-screen controversies) forced the studio to go back to the drawing board.
As of now, there is no official confirmation on a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film. However, there have been rumors and discussions about the possibility of a new installment. In 2019, it was reported that Terry Rossio, a screenwriter who worked on the fourth and fifth films, was developing a new Pirates script. Additionally, in 2020, it was announced that the franchise was exploring new ideas, including a potential reboot or spin-off.
Throughout its run, the franchise has undergone several creative changes, with different directors and writers contributing to the series. Gore Verbinski directed the first three films, while Rob Marshall helmed the fourth and fifth installments. The franchise has also seen its fair share of cast changes, with Depp remaining the constant presence throughout. The Pirates Of The Caribbean 6
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise began in 2003 with the release of The Curse of the Black Pearl, which introduced audiences to Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). The film's massive success led to a sequel, Dead Man's Chest (2006), which expanded the franchise's mythology and introduced new characters, including Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and the Kraken. The series continued with At World's End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2011), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).
But it will not be the same ship we remember. It will likely be a transitional film—a passing of the torch. Whether that torch lights a new era or fizzles into the abyss depends entirely on the script. Despite the critical drubbing of the fifth film,
The core question for Pirates 6 has never been "Will it be made?" but rather "What shape will it take?"
In 2020, Disney announced a female-led Pirates spinoff starring Margot Robbie, to be written by Birds of Prey scribe Christina Hodson. The idea was to reboot the franchise with a fresh energy, much like The Force Awakens did for Star Wars . The bloated runtimes, convoluted lore, and the diminishing
Follow Jerry Bruckheimer’s social media and Disney’s D23 announcements for the next real update.
Disney and veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer are currently navigating two parallel paths for the franchise:
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Captain Jack or looking for a fresh start, here’s the latest intel from the high seas as of April 2026. 1. The Production Status