Hook (1991)īased on the tale of Peter Pan and his life after Neverland, Hook is an arguably underrated Spielberg flick that showcases some great performances and an interesting concept. While it is not entirely focused on the pirate sub-genre, this enduring classic’s plot is kickstarted by pirates and directly shapes the character and abilities of our strong-willed hero. Torn away from his one true love after being abducted by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Westley (Cary Elwes) must face a various onslaught of foes standing between him and everlasting love. Hailed as a classic defined by its many sub-genres and great performances, The Princess Bride is part pirate tale, part romance, part fantasy, and many others. While it is a good film to watch for the performances and story, it is a one-of-a-kind pirate film in how modern it is. What makes this tale unique is that it is based on a real instance in 2009, when for the first time in 200 years, an American cargo ship was hijacked by pirates and the captain taken captive. Captain Phillips (2013)Ī much more grounded, contemporary pirate tale in cinema is Captain Phillips: a film based on a true story of Somali pirates and the cargo ship captain who attempts to keep them away. While the physics of the movie don’t quite stay consistent throughout and the concept of sailing ships in space is a bit outlandish, a strong suspension of disbelief will help any viewer enjoy this animated classic. Alienated from his community as a slacker and a rebel, young Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) acquires a treasure map from a dying pirate at their inn that sends him on an unforgettable campaign into the cosmos.

Treasure Planet (2002)īased on the aforementioned pirate classic Treasure Island, Treasure Planet follows a very similar narrative structure made into an animated, sci-fi odyssey for kids. The main villain of the story, Captain Hook, is an early example of some of the most prevalent pirate stereotypes: a hook for a hand, a crew of savage pirates, a dashing outfit suited for a ship captain, a wicked disposition, and a thirst for revenge. Whisked away to the magical world of Neverland by the hero Peter Pan (Bobby Driscoll), Wendy Darling (Kathryn Beaumont) and her brothers travel to a plane of eternal youth and great evils that threaten to take away their happiness. Peter Pan (1953)Ī signature of the Disney classic collection, Peter Pan is a tale of imagination and magic that, again, has inspired many other variations of the narrative. Following the structure of The Heroes Journey, Treasure Island is an undeniable classic in the world of cinema and an indelible staple in the pirate cinema sub-genre. When his curiosity and taste for adventure is ignited by a wandering pirate blabbering about buried treasure, young Jim Hawkins (Jackie Cooper) accompanies a new, pirate friend Long John Silver (Wallace Beery) in a journey to find said treasure. The most classic of pirate tales based on the novel that inspired many other iterations, Treasure Island encapsulates the spirit of the pirate world through the eyes of a young, aspiring traveler. Thanks to this phenomenon, we have a whole list of pirate movies that allow audiences to dive into their favorite, embellished tales of wonder and exploration.Īvast, ye scamperin’ scaliwags! Here be the treasures of the pirate cinema high seas.

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