23 Years Later, Disney's First-Ever PG-13 Movie Is Still a Fantasy Masterpiece

Twenty-three years on, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl still stands as Disney's first PG-13 adventure and one of the studio's strongest live-action films. The risky gamble paid off, launching a Gore Verbinski-directed picture that became an acclaimed trilogy and later prompted two additional sequels.

Though it began as a Disneyland attraction, the film grew into its own world, introducing original characters, a heroic romance and an eerie supernatural plot. Johnny Depp’s breakout turn turned him from an offbeat performer into a bankable leading man, but the story itself centers on Will Turner as he uncovers his origins, embraces a hero’s journey and falls for Elizabeth Swann.

Many elements still hold up: Geoffrey Rush delivers an immaculate performance, the period-accurate costuming and set pieces remain impressive, and the swashbuckling action is consistently entertaining. Much of the CGI endures as well, particularly when compared with the ghost crew from the fifth film, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

black pearl, disney, pg-13, gore verbinski, johnny depp, will turner, elizabeth swann, geoffrey rush, trilogy, cgi