Pirates

Pirates

Year: 1986

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: Roman Polanski

AdventureComedyFamily

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pirates yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Pirates (1986)

Trace every key event in Pirates (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Red and Frog are stranded at sea

Captain Red and Frog are lost on a raft in the Atlantic Ocean, with no supplies. Eventually, they are rescued by the Spanish galleon Neptune, en route to Spain. Their ordeal marks the beginning of their adventure on the ship.

1659 Atlantic Ocean
2

Capture and accusations aboard Neptune

Red and Frog are thrown into the brig after being accused of poisoning Captain Linares and attempting to steal the Aztec gold throne. They meet the ship's cook Boomako, imprisoned following the accusations. Captain Red becomes fixated on reclaiming the treasure.

Neptune ship, in the brig
3

Captain Linares's death and mutiny plans

Captain Linares dies during the voyage, prompting Lieutenant Don Alfonso to take command. Red and Frog try to incite a mutiny, leading to their sentencing to death. They cleverly orchestrate a rebellion during the chaos, rallying most of the crew.

Neptune ship
4

Mutiny success and escape

Red and Frog, now in command, head the Neptune to a pirate cove to regroup. They meet Dutch, a former crewmate, and throw a celebration before Don Alfonso and his men are released and retake the ship, escaping with the gold throne.

Pirate cove and Neptune ship
5

Red's pursuit and alliance with Dutch

Red purchases an old brig with Dutch's funds and chases the Neptune to Maracaibo in Gran Columbia. He and Frog infiltrate the governor's residence, aiming to ransom Maria-Dolores and recover the gold throne.

Maracaibo, Gran Columbia
6

Capture and imprisonment of Red and Frog

Red and Frog are captured after trying to steal the throne. Maria-Dolores, revealing her feelings for Frog, visits them in prison. The Neptune departs with Don Alfonso promoted to captain, leaving Red and Frog behind.

Governor's residence and prison
7

Pirates rescue Red and Frog

Boomako informs the pirates of their capture, leading to an assault on the prison. Red and Frog are freed, and they pursue the Neptune in a final confrontation, with the crew fighting desperately to recover the treasure.

Prison and open sea
8

Climactic battle and sinking of the Neptune

Red launches an all-out attack on the Neptune, sinking his own ship to prevent its capture. In the chaos, Boomako is shot dead, and Red, Frog, and Boomako escape with the golden throne in a small boat.

Open ocean
9

Frog's sacrifice and Maria-Dolores's intervention

During the final fight, Frog duels Don Alfonso over Maria-Dolores, but remains loyal to Red. Maria-Dolores intervenes to prevent Don Alfonso from shooting Frog, leading to Boomako’s death in the chaos.

Onboard the burning Neptune
10

Escape with the treasure

Red, Frog, and Boomako narrowly escape on their boat with the golden throne. Their crew and remaining shipmates are left behind in the water as their ship burns in the background, signifying their escape with the treasure.

Open ocean
11

Final scene – new beginning

The movie ends as it began, with Red and Frog alone on a small boat in the vast ocean, now with the golden throne. Their journey concludes as they find themselves back at sea, symbolizing their ongoing pirate life.

Open ocean

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

Unlock the Full Story of Pirates

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pirates in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pirates is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pirates Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pirates, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Pirates Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pirates

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Pirates. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pirates

Pirates Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pirates that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Pirates Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Pirates

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pirates: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Pirates