If there’s one genre that just keeps coming back in all the best ways, it’s pirate stories. Even though these usually don’t bear much resemblance to the historic pirates they claim to be based on, we still love a good tale of the “high seas” with plenty of swashbuckling to boot. With the return of One Piece on Netflix this month, let’s talk about our five favorite fictional pirates!
Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Luffy is the leader of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece, the popular manga and anime-turned-Netflix series. He is bold and optimistic and believes the best in the people around him. As a child, the pirate Shanks saved his life and gifted him the signature straw hat that would lend its name to the crew he assembles to search for Gold Roger’s legendary treasure, the One Piece. Thanks to Netflix, a whole new set of fans is discovering this tale of adventure and it’s fun to watch it unfold in live action, with plenty of laughs and heart to go with it.
Tim Curry as Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island is still THE best adaptation of this novel ever made, no I will not be taking any questions. And Tim Curry as Long John Silver sets a high bar for anyone following — he took the role and fully embodied it as only Tim Curry could, creating not only a memorable performance but really leaning into the villain role in a way that made this kids film actually feel like Jim and the heroes might be in danger… in a Muppet movie. That takes talent. When you’re a professional pirate, indeed!
Dread Pirate Roberts
While a whole lot of my love for The Princess Bride is, I’ll admit, warm and fuzzy nostalgia, I also really love the concept behind The Dread Pirate Roberts: the idea that it’s a title and not a person, so each Roberts can run the ship for a time until they’re ready to retire is brilliant. Pirates so rarely have retirement plans! But everything about this movie is a warm hug so excuse me while I go turn it on for the 842nd time…. as you wish.
Han Solo
You can’t tell me that space pirates don’t count because I won’t listen. (I also can’t pick a favorite Star Wars character so don’t ask.) Han has been one of my faves for as long as I can remember though, going back to the first time I saw A New Hope. He’s snarky and cool and everything that Luke isn’t at the start, and I appreciate that while he knows when the chips are down which way he’s headed, that he’s probably headed to do the right thing. Probably. Maybe. At least he’ll have a good time (and some good one-liners) along the way.
Literally Everyone from Our Flag Means Death
Look, I can’t pick a single favorite character from OFMD. I just can’t. When I started watching this show I had no idea where it was going to go and wow, what a delightful ride it was. I don’t want to spoil anything if there’s a tiny chance you haven’t watched it yet, but know that this quirky crew of pirates from the mind of Taika Waititi is charming, funny, and will make you cry (in a good way).
