Pirates (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Pirates is a 1986 adventure comedy directed by Roman Polanski, starring Walter Matthau, Cris Campion and Ferdy Mayne. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $1.6 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 32 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 1m (121 min)
- Director
- Roman Polanski
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Cannon Film Distributors
- Budget
- $40M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Pirates About?
The premise of Pirates without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A group of resourceful pirates set sail on a thrilling adventure, led by the clever Captain Red and the courageous Frog. Their daring plan involves seizing a Spanish galleon, but things become more complicated when the captain impulsively kidnaps the governor's niece. Now, he must use all his skills to evade capture by the pursuing authorities and protect his unexpected hostage.
Pirates Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- farce
- pirate
- pirate ship
- swashbuckler
- sword
- man with a beard
- rain
- kiss
- sailor
- french sailor
- capture
- kidnapping a woman
+38 more Show fewer
- uncle niece relationship
- maracaibo venezuela
- year 1659
- cabin boy
- teenage boy
- nickname
- ship's brig
- ship's cook
- accusation of poisoning
- falling in love
- ship's first mate
- death
- ship's crew
- death of a ship captain
- sentenced to death
- murder
- island
- pirate cove
- hostage
- incarceration
- torture
- throne
- golden throne
- podagra
- posing as a secret messenger
- spain
- duel
- sea battle
- ship on fire
- bookend scenes
- man with a peg leg
- reference to the aztecs
- adrift
- forced to eat a rat
- swordplay
- love triangle
- reference to an execution
- merchant
Pirates Cast
Walter Matthau leads the cast, with Cris Campion and Ferdy Mayne. Directed by Roman Polanski; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Roman Polanski
Also Starring in Pirates
· 6 moreMore from Roman Polanski
More films directed by Roman Polanski, best-rated first: Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, The Pianist and Tess.
Pirates Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Pirates 32 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 32 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB
Pirates Plot Summary
What happens in Pirates from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean in 1659, the story unfolds around the infamous aging English pirate, Walter Matthau, known as Captain Red, and his young cabin boy, Cris Campion, nicknamed “Frog.” The narrative begins with their mishap on a raft, stranded and without supplies, but luck intervenes when they are rescued by a Spanish galleon named Neptune, en route to Spain.
Full summary
The whole story of Pirates, scene by scene
Pirates Box Office & Budget
Pirates grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$1.6M
- US & Canada
- $1.6M
- Budget
- $40M
Pirates Awards & Nominations
Pirates was nominated for 1 Oscar.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1987 1 nomination- Nominated Costume Design
Pirates Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Pirates.
How Well Do You Know Pirates?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main aging pirate in the film?
Pirates Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Piraci” and “Kalózok”.
- Also known as
-
- Piraci
- Kalózok
- Пираты
- Roman Polanski's Pirates
- Piratas
- ポランスキーの パイレーツ
- Piraten
- Pirati
- פיראטים
- 海盗夺金冠
- Piraterne
- Korsanlar
+5 more Show fewer
- Οι πειρατές
- Piratai
- Пирати
- Pirater
- 대해적
Seen Pirates?
Movies Like Pirates
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Pirates, Pirates of the Plain and Pirates.
-
Pirates 2022 -
Pirates of the Plain 1999 -
Pirates 1999 -
The Pirate Movie 1982 -
The Pirates 2014 -
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales 2017 -
The Princess and the Pirate 1944 -
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 2003 -
The Black Pirate 1926 -
Pirates of the Coast 1960 -
Blackie the Pirate 1971 -
Pirates Down the Street 2020
Pirates FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Pirates, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Pirates?
Pirates runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).
When was Pirates released?
Pirates was released on July 18, 1986.
Who directed Pirates?
Pirates was directed by Roman Polanski.
More films by Roman Polanski Who is in the cast of Pirates?
Pirates stars Walter Matthau, Cris Campion and Ferdy Mayne, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Pirates make at the box office?
Pirates grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million.
How is Pirates rated?
Pirates has 32 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.
Was Pirates nominated for any awards?
Pirates received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Pirates have a post-credit scene?
No. Pirates has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
