Disney Surprises Fans With ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 6’ Release Timeline
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been adrift for nearly a decade, and despite years of speculation, Disney still hasn’t given Pirates of the Caribbean 6 a clear path forward.
Fans eager for another adventure with Captain Jack Sparrow (or whatever direction Disney decides to take) may have to wait much longer than expected. Even under the best circumstances, it could be 2027 before we see the next film, meaning the franchise’s long hiatus is far from over.
The Long Road to Production for Pirates of the Caribbean
The last film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), left the franchise in an uncertain place. While it performed decently at the global box office, it was the lowest-grossing installment domestically and received the worst reviews of the series. Since then, Disney has struggled to figure out the franchise’s future, leading to multiple delays.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that two versions of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 are in development—one with Johnny Depp and one without—but neither has been officially greenlit. On top of that, a separate female-led Piratesspinoff starring Margot Robbie was announced, then seemingly canceled, only for Bruckheimer to later suggest it was still in the works.
With all of this uncertainty, it’s no surprise that production has yet to begin. And that’s a problem because Pirates of the Caribbean movies aren’t made overnight.
The Timeline for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Release
Even if Disney were to finalize a script and begin filming within the next year, history suggests it will still take at least two more years before the film is ready to hit theaters. Past Pirates films took around two years from the start of production to release. If Pirates of the Caribbean 6 doesn’t begin filming until late 2025 or early 2026, a 2027 release would be the earliest realistic possibility.
And that’s assuming everything goes smoothly. Any additional script rewrites, casting disputes, or production delays could push the film even further down the calendar, making 2028 or beyond a real possibility.
Will It Be Worth the Wait?
By the time Pirates of the Caribbean 6 finally arrives, it will have been over a decade since the last installment. That’s a long time for a franchise to remain dormant, and Disney will have to work hard to recapture audience interest.
If Johnny Depp returns, it could reignite excitement, but if Disney moves forward without him, it may struggle to win over longtime fans. Either way, one thing is clear: Pirates of the Caribbean 6 isn’t arriving anytime soon, and fans will have to be patient as the wait continues.
