Pirates of the Caribbean is a trilogy of adventure films directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It was inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at a Walt Disney Theme Park.

This is a swashbuckling fantasy following the adventures of a fated couple, a quirky pirate, and their friends as they fight for love, treasure, honor, and survival. Captivating storytelling, visual effects, and a high-profile cast are among the key elements that made these movies one of the most successful franchises of Walt Disney.

The first movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, was released in 2003. It begins when Will Turner, a blacksmith's apprentice, finds his tranquil life shattered by the appearance of the cursed pirate ship known as The Black Pearl.

Under the command of Captain Hector Barbossa, the undead crew pillages the port and kidnap Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter and Will Turner's beloved. Will enlists the aid of Jack Sparrow, a wily pirate who was once the ship's captain.

As they undertake their individual quests of saving Elizabeth and re-acquiring command of the Black Pearl, they discover the dark secret behind the forbidden treasure. Little by little, Will Turner also discovers key links in his past that tie together his fate with the fates of Elizabeth, Jack Sparrow, and the unknown.

In 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was released. The continuing romance between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann is yet again interrupted when they are arrested by Lord Cutler Beckett, as part of the Navy's crusade against coastal piracy.

In exchange for their freedom, Will makes a deal with Beckett, and is tasked with finding Jack Sparrow and retrieving his magic compass. Will tracks them to an island inhabited by cannibals. Together they escape captivity and take to the seas.

A new villain, Davy Jones, has come to collect a debt owed by Jack Sparrow. Aside from Jack's magic compass, they are also fighting to possess the Heart of Davy Jones, the holder of which can coerce Davy Jones into obedience.

Hounded by Davy Jones's ship The Flying Dutchman, his monstrous crew and "the Kraken", as well as the Royal British Navy, our heroes find themselves playing a dangerous game of treachery and double-dealing, which ultimately leads to the death of Jack Sparrow.

The final installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, was released in 2007. The Royal British Navy has obtained control of Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchman. With this impressive new weapon, Beckett begins the extermination of the pirates. Lord Beckett's lust for mastery of the seas has a sinister purpose however, as he works towards monopoly of sea-faring trade.

In the meantime our heroes, captained by the resurrected Hector Barbossa, have undertaken an expedition to the Land of the Dead, Davy Jones locker, to rescue Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl. They escape Davy Jones's Locker and through a series of trade-offs and double-deals with other pirates as well as with Lord Beckett and Davy Jones, the pirates find themselves on the verge of war.

In dire straits, the pirates band together and a tribunal of Pirate Lords is convened. After replacing Sao Feng as Captain and Pirate Lord, Elizabeth ends up becoming the Pirate King at this tribunal and declares war. At the same time, Barbossa releases the Goddess Calypso from her mortal form, in the hopes of gaining her favor and an assured victory in the war. Calypso is not pleased and takes no side and causes a whirlpool.

It is in this whirlpool where the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman finally engage, and in the midst of this most intense battle, Elizabeth and Will are finally wed, under the blessing of Captain Barbossa. Soon after, Davy Jones is defeated as Will Turner dies. As a requirement of the Flying Dutchman's curse, Will Turner is resurrected as the new captain.

Together, the Flying Dutchman and the Black Pearl crush Lord Beckett's Ship and ensure victory for the pirates. The movie ends with Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, and the other Pirates continuing their lives in search of booty and immortality, as Will takes on the curse and responsibility of being the captain of the Dutchman - to ferry souls to the other side, with allowance to take port once for every 10 years.

Awards:

Curse of the Black Pearl: Nominated for 5 Academy Awards
Dead Man's Chest: Nominated for 4 Oscars; Won 1 for Best Achievement in Visual Effects
At World's End: Nominated for 2 Oscars

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl grossed US $653 million throughout the world, easily becoming one of the top twenty-five global box office earners of all time. This success led to the production of the two succeeding films, which were created at the same time.

Both the second and third films set box office records. Dead Man's Chest broke the records for largest opening day gross with $55.8 million, and biggest opening weekend gross with $135.6 million, and would set 15 other box office records, including the fastest film to reach $200 and $300 million, the highest ten-day gross, and the fastest film to reach $1 billion worldwide.

Total worldwide box office:

Curse of the Black Pearl: $733,355,856
Dead Man's Chest: $1,100,297,476
At World's End: $960,713,181

Totals films 1-3 as of October 4th, 2007: $2,794,366,513

Walt Disney has plans to shoot a fourth film in 2009.