Eight years after ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales, it’s clear that it will be hard for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to please fans of the franchise. However, through two other franchises, Disney has already revealed how they can make Pirates of the Caribbean 6 a great movie. The Pirates franchise began in 2003 with The Curse of the Black Pearl. Since it was based on a theme park ride, expectations were not high for the first Pirates movie. However, The Curse of the Black Pearl ended up being a critical and commercial success, leading to several sequels being made.

The first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies are generally well-liked, or even loved, by fans of the franchise. However, the fourth and fifth movies were not received as well. Even though the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has been confirmed, many details about the film are not known. For example, it is unclear if Johnny Deppy will return as Jack Sparrow, who has been the main character of all the Pirates films. Despite concerns for the future of the franchise, the Alien and Predator franchises prove that Disney can successfully continue the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Disney “Rescued” The Alien & Predator Franchises And Can Do The Same For POTC

The Alien & Predator Franchises Needed Fresh Takes

The original Alien and Predator movies are two of the most iconic sci-fi movies of all time. 1979’s Alien and 1987’s Predator both led to major franchises in Hollywood, and even crossed over with each other on more than one occasion. However, when Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, a deal which was finalized in 2019, neither the Alien nor Predator franchises were as popular as they once were. This has all changed since Disney’s ownership has led to successful films in both franchises.

The Predator, which was made in 2018, just one year before the Disney and 20th Century Fox deal was finalized, has an underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes score of 34% and was instantly recognized as one of the worst films in the franchise (via Rotten Tomatoes). While none of the Alien movies’ Rotten Tomatoes scores have been that low, many fans did not like director Ridley Scott’s last two movies in the franchise before Disney acquired the rights. 2012’s Prometheus and 2017’s Alien: Covenant have been described as too complex and inaccessible for new fans.

Prey & Alien: Romulus Show How To Reboot A Franchise Without Throwing Everything Away

Prey & Alien: Romulus Were Both Very Successful Movies

Based on the reception to the most recent Alien and Predator films before Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, it was clear both franchises had to change course. Under Disney’s ownership, two very well-received Alien and Predator movies were made. 2022’s Prey took the Predator franchise to the 1700s and features a Comanche warrior protecting her tribe from the franchise’s alien predator. Prey has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94% and has led to multiple Predator movies being greenlit, such as the upcoming Predator: Badlands and Prey 2.

Similarly, 2024’s Alien: Romulus was the most well-received movie in the franchise since 1986’s Aliens. Currently, Alien: Romulus has a score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes (via Rotten Tomatoes). Unlike Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus has been praised for recapturing the magic of the original movie and being accessible for new fans of the franchise. After the success of Alien: Romulus, a sequel has been confirmed, suggesting a bright future for the Alien franchise.

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Can Be A Fresh Start For The Saga (Regardless Of Who Returns)

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Needs To Be A Great Movie

Disney finding success with the Alien and Predator franchises proves that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 can also work. Just like the Alien and Predator franchises before Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is currently not in the best place. There is worry that the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie won’t work if Johnny Depp doesn’t return, and fans are upset that the sixth entry in the series is taking so long.

However, both Prey and Alien: Romulus prove that an entry in a franchise doesn’t need returning actors to work. As long as Pirates of the Caribbean 6 introduces intriguing new characters, fans will not be able to deny its success. Overall, returning characters and the timeline of Pirates 6 doesn’t matter that much, as long as it is a well-made movie. Prey and Alien: Romulus prove that as long as fans of the franchise are given a great movie, then they will be more than happy to return to the swashbuckling world of pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.