Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Live forever or die trying.
When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past, he's not sure if it's love...or if she's a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 15 May 2011 |
| Genre | Adventure, Action, Fantasy |
| Director | Rob Marshall |
| Starring | Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush |
| Runtime | 136 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 5/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 33% · Metacritic 45/100 · TMDB users 6.6/10 |
| Budget | $410 million |
| Box office | $1.05 billion worldwide |
Where to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is streaming on Disney+ ($15.99 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Disney+ is $15.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
On Stranger Tides is a 136-minute adventure where a pirate captain chases the Fountain of Youth while doubting the woman guiding him. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film pairs Johnny Depp with Penélope Cruz in a quest that feels less like romance and more like a high-stakes con. Geoffrey Rush rounds out the crew, adding a familiar presence to the chaos. The tone is loud, fantastical, and unapologetically silly, trading subtle character work for spectacle. It is a movie that wants you to forget you have a life for two and a half hours. The tagline is "Live forever or die trying," which is a fair summary of the commitment.
What the critics said
The critical reception was lukewarm at best. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 33% as of November 2022, with an average rating of 5/10. Metacritic lands on 45 out of 100 as of June 2025, a score that indicates mixed or average reviews. The consensus is that the plot is disjointed. Roger Ebert gave it two stars, calling it "too much of a muchness". Mark Kermode was less diplomatic, describing the film as "just a big empty nothing". The audience, however, seemed to enjoy the noise, giving it a B+ in CinemaScore polls.
How it did with audiences
The budget hit $410 million, yet the film still pulled in $1.0 billion worldwide. That is a lot of money for a pirate chasing a mermaid. In the United States, it took in $241 million. On TMDB, users give it a 6.6 out of 10.
What came next for the cast
Ian McShane pivoted from supporting roles in crime thrillers to the high-stakes action of the John Wick franchise. Geoffrey Rush continued his pirate arc while also appearing in The Book Thief. Penélope Cruz moved from dramatic leads to comedies like Grimsby and Zoolander 2. Johnny Depp returned to the sea for another installment. The credits cannot say this title caused those specific career shifts. They can only mark the timeline.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Read more: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl · Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest · Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Sources
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q183555 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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