Arrrr, Mateys! The Top 10 Best Fictional Pirates on Film

Pirates in the real world are truly despicable beings, but in the imaginations of the Hollywood creative they've been romanticized. Even "pirate lingo" has found its way into pop culture, so much so that we even have a national Talk Like a Pirate Day. These vibrant scoundrels had been thriving in movies for decades, but a few made a stronger impression on us than others. 

This fictional pirate needs no introduction. Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean went from a simple animatronic ride to a thriving movie franchise, with fictional pirate antihero Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) front and center. He's been getting in scuffles with supernatural creatures for over a decade, and audiences can't get enough of his high-sea adventures.

While viewers barely see him sailing the high seas, this Dread Pirate Roberts is one that holds a special place in the heart of many romantics thanks to the ‘80s classic The Princess Bride. While the name has a nasty reputation, Wesley's (Cary Elwes) only goal is to save the love of his life, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright).

On the other end of the "want" spectrum is the Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) in the underrated animated comedy The Pirates! Band of Misfits. The character longs to win the Pirate of the Year trophy, but he's too kindhearted to be the scoundrel to win such an award.

Not every pirate on the big screen is so kind; case in point, this iteration of Captain Hook in the 1991 film Hook. This version of the classic fictional pirate played by Dustin Hoffman strives to eliminate his foe Peter Pan (Robin Williams), but his adversary doesn't know who he is, which throws Hook’s plans into jeopardy.

No villain is as incredibly sly as the evil Long John Silver (Tim Curry) in Muppet Treasure Island. Similar to the literary character from the book Treasure Island, Long John Silver is hell-bent on taking the riches for himself, no matter what the cost. He may be wicked, but in the end good prevails over all.

It's tough trying to lead a group, even ones with alien scoundrels sailing the high... skies. Treasure Planet is an underrated Disney animated film, and the same goes for the character of Captain Amelia. She's a cool, tough lady who stays with her crew through good times and bad as they race to get their hands on some riches.

Dead men tell no tales, but One-Eyed Willie's past told enough to get a group of kids into a crazy action-adventure near the shores of their own town. The famous fictional pirate gave a small team of youngsters the motivation they needed to save their home, by looking for hidden treasure of course.

A majority of pirates want to get their hands on some treasure, but some are filled with bloodlust. Take for instance the ghostly pirates in the horror classic The Fog, who seek vengeance on the townsfolk who stole their treasure and killed them. While the modern-day townsfolk are innocent of these crimes, their ancestors are not.

There are so many musicals that have stood through the test of time, and some found their way onto the big screen. The popular musical The Pirates of Penzance is one that got its chance, and the 1983 iteration stars the comically charming Kevin Kline as the Pirate King.

Life doesn't always go according to plan, which is exactly the case for physician-turned-pirate Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) in the 1935 film Captain Blood. It's an incredible adventure film filled with a fantastic performance from legendary actor Errol Flynn. His incredible charisma and athletic prowess catapulted him into movie-star status, all thanks to a great pirate film.