The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been one of Disney’s biggest successes, with five films grossing over $4.5 billion worldwide.
Yet, despite its popularity, the series has been stuck in limbo for years, with no concrete plans for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Fans hoping for a quick return to the high seas will be disappointed—the next film is still years away, and at this rate, it might not arrive until 2027 or later.
The last Pirates movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), left the series in a tricky position. While it teased a potential sequel with the return of Davy Jones, Disney never moved forward with a follow-up. Part of the reason for this delay has been the uncertainty surrounding Johnny Depp’s involvement.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has stated that two scripts exist—one including Depp’s Jack Sparrow and one without him—but neither version has been greenlit. Meanwhile, a separate female-led spinoff was announced and then seemingly abandoned, adding to the confusion. With no official decision made, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains stuck in development limbo.
Even if Disney were to approve a script tomorrow, it would still take years before the movie could reach theaters. Past Pirates films have taken around two years from the start of filming to their release date. Since Pirates of the Caribbean 6 hasn’t even started production, the earliest possible release date would be 2027—assuming there are no additional delays. If production doesn’t get underway in the next year or two, that timeline could easily shift to 2028 or beyond.
By the time Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is finally released, it will have been more than a decade since the last movie. That kind of gap can be risky, as franchises often struggle to regain audience interest after long delays. If Disney can get Johnny Depp back on board, it may be able to reignite excitement among longtime fans. However, if the studio decides to move forward with a completely new cast, it will have a much harder time selling audiences on a fresh take.
At this point, it’s safe to say that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is nowhere close to setting sail. Whether it’s creative uncertainty, delays in production, or internal disagreements on how to proceed, Disney doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to bring the franchise back. Fans will have to remain patient because, based on where things currently stand, this adventure is still years away from happening.
