From the lightning-fast Black Pearl to the intimidating Flying Dutchman, the ships of Pirates of the Caribbean are as critical as the franchise's characters. Over the course of its five films, these are the vessels that take Captain Jack Sparrow and company all over the world – and facilitate their adventures.
It's unsurprising that the best moments of a series about pirates would take place out on the open ocean. Whether they're positive or negative, these are the strongest scenes on the seas in the entire franchise.
Jack And Will Steal The Interceptor
Jack Sparrow is infamous for his unorthodox solutions. Stealing the Interceptor with Will Turner is a prime example. Fleeing Port Royal, every step of his madcap plan is totally unexpected – but also totally genius.
It starts with him and Will using a boat as an air supply as they walk along the ocean floor. Then they hold the crew at gunpoint on the Dauntless, before slipping onto the Interceptor when it arrives to confront them. Welcomed with a fully-readied ship, the hard work's done for them and they're ready to go. It's somehow simultaneously so simple and so complex, which makes it one of the most Jack Sparrow scenes to ever exist.
Barbossa Sacrifices Himself
As Jack's frenemy, it's tough to know whether Barbossa is ever on the right or wrong side. In Dead Men Tell No Tales, he solidifies his position on the former by sacrificing himself to kill Salazar, and save his daughter, Carina, in the process.
It's a tragic moment, but just proves how far the former captain of the Black Pearl has come from the selfish, dastardly man first introduced in Curse of the Black Pearl. And as a man who's lived and died (literally, on multiple occasions) by the sea, the shot of him falling into the abyss for good is very fitting.
The Black Pearl And Flying Dutchman Destroy The Endeavour
The Black Pearl and The Flying Dutchman are at war for the majority of Dead Man's Chest and At World's End. But when Will takes over as captain in the latter, two of the most powerful vessels in the world finally have an alliance – which spells doom for their mutual enemies.
In this instance, that enemy is the Endeavour. Home to the remnants of the East India Trading company, it's destroyed in a quick and clean attack from both ships. The shot where Cutler Beckett – one of the evilest villains in POTC – is consumed by the resulting inferno is beautifully shot, and a satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy's battle for a pirate's right to freedom.
Elizabeth Discovers The Truth About The Black Pearl
The crew of The Black Pearl is a force to be reckoned with – especially when they're cursed with immortality. In Curse of the Black Pearl, a recently-kidnapped Elizabeth Swann discovers the truth after stabbing Barbossa and attempting her escape, only to be met by a gang of skeletal men on the deck.
Terrified out of her wits, Elizabeth is quite literally thrown around until she locks herself back in the cabin. It's one of the most dynamic sequences in any of the movies. Skeletons manning a ship in the moonlight make for a truly memorable scene. The cherry on top is Barbossa's delivery of one of his most iconic quotes: "You best start believin' in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one."
Jack's Dramatic Entrance
Jack Sparrow's first scene in Curse of the Black Pearl might just be one of the best introduction scenes in cinematic history. After hastening to scoop water from his small boat, Jack makes a grand entrance with all the dignity of any respected captain, stood at the helm of the rapidly sinking vessel.
Without speaking a single word, Jack's character is evident from the start. He's someone who makes even the worst combination of events work out for him. He's a total paradox of a man – but a very successful one.
Mermaids Seduce The Pirates
On Stranger Tides isn't considered to be one of the best Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but it still features a few iconic moments. The best comes when the crew of the Queen Anne's Revenge is lured in by mermaids at Whitecap Bay – only for things to soon turn violent.
It's masterfully shot, contrasting the ethereal mermaids with an unsettling, eerie undertone that's more comparative to Jaws than The Little Mermaid. The moment they show their true colors and drag the men from their boat is legitimately terrifying, and possibly the highlight of the entire movie.
The Black Pearl Returns To The Land Of The Living
When Elizabeth, Will, Barbossa, and company decide to bring Jack back from the dead in At World's End, the biggest challenge isn't getting into Davy Jones' Locker – it's returning to the land of the living. Having already recovered their fallen captain, they spend several days drifting aimlessly before Jack comes to one of his typically unorthodox conclusions.
As the map states "up is down", he realizes they need to tip the boat upside down in time for the green flash. Of course, Jack being Jack, he doesn't make this fact immediately clear. Instead, he just starts running up and down until the rest of the crew joins in. It's one of the most bizarre (but classic POTC) scenes in the franchise, with CGI that's aged incredibly well over the years.
Jack Fights The Kraken
The events of Dead Man's Chest explore the big question: is Jack Sparrow a good man? It seems like the answer is 'no' when the Black Pearl is attacked by the Kraken and he flees the scene. However, he soon has a change of heart and returns to fight.
Having realized the Kraken only wants Jack, Elizabeth performs an act that's as morally dubious as the behavior she's previously judged in Jack. Kissing him as a distraction, she chains him to the mast and leaves him to the Kraken. The result is a one-on-one confrontation that's woefully outmatched, but Jack doesn't go down without a fight – proving, once and for all, just how brave of a man he can be.
Elizabeth Sees Her Father In Davy Jones' Locker
Before the Black Pearl escapes Davy Jones' Locker, they come across a most disturbing sight. Dozens of isolated boats – each bearing one unresponsive, recently deceased soul – sail silently past their ship.
This would be moving enough without Elizabeth's realization that one of these souls is her father. Unaware that he's recently passed, she tries desperately to leave the ship and join him. Her grief is painfully relatable and serves as the final severing of ties between her and her non-pirate life.
The Maelstrom Battle
Everything that happens in the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies culminates in one massive battle in At World's End. Not only does the Black Pearl face off against Davy Jones and the East India Trading Company, but they're joined by pirates from all over the world as they try to survive a maelstrom created by the recently-freed Calypso.
It's a total mess, but a wildly entertaining one. Some of its many highlights include Jack confronting Davy Jones and Will becoming the captain of the Flying Dutchman. But the best moment is undeniably Elizabeth and Will's iconic wedding. Officiated on the deck by Captain Barbossa mid-battle, it's romantic in a way that's very them – and cements their three-movie arc of transitioning to a pirate's life.