One of Disney’s Best Live-Action Movies Is Setting Sail on the Streaming Charts

The idea of live-action Disney movies has become something of a tainted phrase. But, years before the House of Mouse turned its most beloved animated classics into live-action cash cows with very mixed results, Disney produced one of its best live-action movies, which spawned a multi-billion dollar franchise, and introduced fans to the most famous pirate in cinema history. 22 years after it was released (which makes us feel really old), said film is catching a second wind in its sails on Disney+. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the movie featured a stacked cast, which included Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Jack Davenport, and, of course, Johnny Depp.

The film in question, if you hadn’t guessed already, is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The first entry in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, famously based on a theme-park ride, has recently become a major hit on Disney+. The film is currently the 10th most popular movie on the streaming platform. The film’s protagonist should need little introduction, as Johnny Depp plays one of the worst pirates the British Navy has ever seen: Captain Jack Sparrow. The Curse of the Black Pearl introduced audiences to Jack, along with Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner, as they set sail to recover the Black Pearl and end the curse afflicting the ship’s crew. The official synopsis reads:

“Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) arrives at Port Royal in the Caribbean without a ship or crew. His timing is inopportune, however, because later that evening the town is besieged by a pirate ship. The pirates kidnap the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), who’s in possession of a valuable coin that is linked to a curse that has transformed the pirates into the undead. A gallant blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) in love with Elizabeth allies with Sparrow in pursuit of the pirates.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a major hit when it was released in 2003. Despite low expectations from Disney executives, the film grossed over $650 million worldwide. More importantly, it went on to spawn one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. The film also secured great reviews from critics and audiences, holding a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a stronger 86% audience score. If that wasn’t enough, The Curse of the Black Pearl was even nominated for five Academy Awards.

Will Johnny Depp Return for the Next ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Sequel?

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A new installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been looming over the horizon for some years now. 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales might not have been a critical hit, but it still earned almost $800 million.

However, the recent controversy surrounding Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, as well as other development problems regarding the next sequel, have hampered its progress. At the time of writing, Johnny Depp is expected to return to the franchise for the sixth film, as was confirmed by series producer, Jerry Bruckheimer.