The Films About Pirates subgenre is an Action genre and features Pirate Films, Films About Swashbucklers, Films About Buccaneers and Films About Hidden Treasure. The subgenre is split into two periods – Classical Era Pirate Films that are often set during the Golden Age of Piracy (1650 – 1730) and Modern Era Pirate Films that have happened in the last century or even in a futuristic Sci-fi setting.
Pirates have always been a popular and intriguing subgenre of films since the advent of cinema. The Black Pirate (1926), Captain Blood (1935), Treasure Island (1950) and Peter Pan (1953) were just a few of the most popular Pirate films during this period. In the 1960’s, Swiss Family Robinson (1960) became the second filmed version of the 1812 novel of the same name, and was both a hit with critics and audiences. This led the way to the 1970’s where two additional Pirate films were popular during the decade: The Light at the Edge of the World (1971) and Swashbuckler (1976).
The 1980’s saw the Golden Age of Pirate Films emerge with many Pirate-themed films released during the decade. Classic subgenre films included The Island (1980), Nate and Hayes (1983), The Bounty (1984), The Goonies (1985) and The Princess Bride (1987). Other notable Films About Pirates during this decade included The Pirate Movie (1982), The Pirates of Penzance (1983), Yellowbeard (1983), The Ice Pirates (1984) and Pirates (1986).
The 1990’s saw a variety of Pirate Films released set both in the Classical Era and Modern Era. Classical Era films include one of the best films of the subgenre with Treasure Island (1990), Shipwrecked (1990), Hook (1991), Kidnapped (1995) and Cutthroat Island (1995). Modern era Pirate films included Captain Ron (1992), Waterworld (1995) and Six Day, Seven Nights (1998).
The 2000’s were dominated by the most popular film and franchise of the entire Films About Pirates subgenre – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). This franchise would come to define the entire subgenre with additional franchise films including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strange Tides (2011) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017). During this decade there would also be another classic film of the subgenre though it didn’t feature classic Pirate Film tropes: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).
In the 2010’s, there was another remake of the classic Pirate tale by Robert Louis Stevenson with Treasure Island (2012). Captain Phillips (2013) and The Pirates of Somalia (2017) featured Pirates in a Modern Era setting. And The Pirates (2014) featured a different look of Pirates with a setting in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty.
Our list of Films About Pirates includes over 37+ films from 1960 – 2018. Our list covers Pirate films set during the Modern Era in addition to Pirate Films set during the Golden Age of Piracy. For our list of Top Films About Pirates You Haven’t Seen, we are assuming you have seen The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise so have selected some lesser-known Pirate films that shouldn’t be missed. Honorable mentions that didn’t make our list includes Yellowbeard (1983), The Lightship (1985), Shipwrecked (1990), Captain Ron (1992), Kidnapped (1995) and Treasure Island (2012).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Films About Pirates You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
The Island
Plot: Reporter takes his son with him to investigate disappearing boats in the Caribbean.
KBZ’s Take: A forgotten 1980’s film that was savaged by the critics but is good Modern Era take on Pirates raiding vacationers on yachts and boats in the Caribbean. Michael Caine and David Warner are the stars in this film and help carry it through some far-fetched situations. However, it’s one of the better movies about Modern Era pirates and how they indoctrinate other people into their tribe.
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Plot: Woman is knocked out and dreams about Pirates and romance.
KBZ’s Take: Like another film of the 1980’s that was based by critics in Xanadu (1980), The Pirate Movie wasn’t a critical or commercial success but has developed a cult following over time. It’s not a great film but does have some catchy song and dance themes and incorporated some other popular Action and Sci-fi film tropes of the time (i.e. Pirates fighting with lightsabers). It’s not one of the best films of the subgenre but is worth a look if you like the musical The Pirates of Penzance (1983) and other Dance & Musical subgenre films.
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Plot: Surviving member of a lighthouse crew tries to stop Pirates that are causing ships to run aground into a rocky island.
KBZ’s Take: This film is labeled as an Action Adventure but it’s more of an Action Thriller. There are some suspenseful scenes throughout the film as the Pirates realize they’re being attacked through guerilla warfare. The film also has two stars in their prime with Kirk Douglas and Yul Brynner. Though this film wasn’t a commercial success at the time, it’s one of the best films of the subgenre and films set during the modern era of piracy. Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
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#7
Swashbuckler
Plot: A pirate and noblewoman join forces to take down a tyrant in Jamaica.
KBZ’s Take: Now this is a great Pirate Film with all the classic Pirate film tropes – swashbuckling, colorful clothing, pet monkey and more. The film has some of the best swashbuckling duels of any Pirate Film and many great action sequences. There’s a great cast in this film led by Robert Shaw, James Earl Jones, and Geneviève Bujold with an against type casting of Peter Boyle as the creepy and sadistic Lord Durant. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
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Plot: Family marooned on an island, make themselves a home but soon encounter pirates.
KBZ’s Take: This is not only a great Pirate film but one suitable for the entire family. Even though it was released over 60 years ago, it’s endured the test of time to remain one of the best Action-Adventure films. If there’s one film to introduce Pirates to your youngsters, this is the film as it has enough balance between family friendly fare and action-packed Pirate attacks for all ages to enjoy. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
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#5
The Bounty
Plot: Crew members mutiny against their captain and take control of the ship.
KBZ’s Take: Though this was a well-known film in 1984, it has become a forgotten film of the 80’s. While it doesn’t feature your classic Pirate film tropes, the film is mostly about the mutineers leading a Pirate-like lifestyle as they try to evade the British. The film has an amazing cast with Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox, Daniel-Day Lewis and Liam Neeson. If you have not seen this film yet, it’s highly recommended for fans of both Discovery Era Historical Films and Pirate films.
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#4
The Pirates
Plot: A band of pirates and group of bandits team together to catch a gray whale that has swallowed a royal stamp.
KBZ’s Take: Given most Pirate films are set in the Caribbean or European settings; The Pirates is a breath of fresh air in the subgenre with a focus on Pirates in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. This film has it all with Korean-themed Pirate film tropes, some amazing action and fight sequences and a ‘have to see it to believe it’ Gray Whale attack on a ship. Though some of the humor might fall flat for Western audiences, it’s still a great Action-Adventure film and one of the best films of the Pirate Film subgenre.
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Plot: Long John Silver wants Jim Hawkins treasure map.
KBZ’s Take: Another great film to introduce Pirates to younger viewers. This film based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel, is the best filmed version of the novel and offers more substance than style over other Films About Pirates. The film’s strength is in its cast with Charlton Heston as Long John Silver, Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins, Oliver Reed as Billy Bones and Christopher Lee as Blind Pew. It’s one of the best films of the Pirate Films subgenre and also a great Family Film for Kids.
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Plot: Journalist moves to Somalia to interview Pirates but is soon in over his head.
KBZ’s Take: Of the two Modern Era Pirate Films that have focused on the Somali Pirate phenomenon, this is the film to watch over Captain Philips (2013). While both films are great, The Pirates of Somalia is much more thrilling and embedded in the Somali Pirate culture. It gives you a better sense of why the Pirates do what they do while also showing how an amateur journalist gets into increasing danger to get his story. One the of the best Pirate films of the Modern Era and highly recommended.
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Plot: A man’s fiancée is captured by a pirate…so he teams up with another pirate to save her.
KBZ’s Take: This film somehow has flown under the radar over the years but is not only a great Action Adventure film but also one of the best action films about Pirates. Some of its obscurity is due to it being labeled as a “Raiders of the Lost Ark” knock-off but it’s much more than that. Tommy Lee Jones excels in his role as a ‘good’ Pirate who teams with the naïve Michael O’Keefe to save the day. There are some amazing scenes in this film from Michael O’Keefe’s character stranded on a foot long atoll in the middle of the ocean to our heroes escape from a native tribe. Nate and Hayes was originally titled “Savage Islands” which is much better at describing the film.
Additional Lists: Top Action Adventure Films You Haven’t Seen #3
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