Disney+’s Nautilus Is the Perfect Pirates of the Caribbean Replacement Show

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The *Pirates of the Caribbean* movies used to be incredibly successful for Disney, but the last film came out in 2017, and the series has been on hold ever since. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has said they’re working on a new *Pirates* project, but details are scarce and it’s not certain if it will actually happen. While fans wait for news, they might enjoy a similar historical sci-fi adventure series that premiered in October 2024. Originally planned for Disney+, the series was cancelled due to budget cuts before being picked up by AMC.

The series *Nautilus* is inspired by Jules Verne’s *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas*, delving deeper into the backstory of Captain Nemo. The first episode reveals Nemo was imprisoned by the East India Company and forced to construct an advanced submarine, also named the *Nautilus*. He and his fellow prisoners then rebelled, took control of the submarine, and embarked on a journey to evade the Company, seeking wealth to secure their freedom. Joined by a diverse crew, they set out on this daring quest. With its adventurous plot, setting, and overall feel, *Nautilus* feels similar to *Pirates of the Caribbean* and will likely appeal to fans of Disney’s swashbuckling films.

Pirates of the Caribbean Fans Need to Watch Nautilus

As a huge movie fan, I’ve always noticed some cool parallels between *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Both stories are totally centered around the ocean, though they explore it in different ways – *20,000 Leagues* mostly happens inside the *Nautilus* submarine, while *Pirates* is all about life on pirate ships. The danger of flooding was a big part of both, and both worlds are full of scary sea creatures! Plus, the timelines are surprisingly close. *20,000 Leagues* kicks off in 1857, right when the Indian Rebellion was happening. *Pirates* doesn’t give us exact dates, but it’s set around the mid-1700s, at the tail end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

The East India Company played the role of the villains in both stories. In *Nautilus*, the heroes were chased by Director Crawley, who was determined to get the submarine back and keep it secret from the British government. Similarly, in *Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest* and *Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End*, the heroes were pursued by those who wanted to eliminate piracy completely.

Both *Nautilus* and *Pirates of the Caribbean* blend historical settings with fantastical elements like sea monsters and forgotten cities. *Nautilus* also incorporates science fiction, featuring a remarkably advanced submarine for its time – a true steampunk creation. The stories share a similar upbeat tone, even when dealing with serious themes, and are generally suitable for families. *Nautilus* carries a TV-14 rating, while *Pirates of the Caribbean* films are rated PG-13. Although they include action like sword fights, the violence is rarely graphic or shown directly.

The Future of Nautilus Remains Uncertain

Humility Lucas from *Nautilus* and another character share several similarities. Both were young, privileged Englishwomen pursued by unwanted suitors. They each ended up joining groups of seafaring rebels and quickly demonstrated unexpected skill and bravery, eventually developing feelings for the heroes.

I’ve noticed something really interesting about *Nautilus* and *Pirates of the Caribbean* – both stories actually feature characters who disguise themselves as men! But honestly, anyone who calls *Nautilus* a copycat is way off base. It’s totally its own thing. Captain Nemo and Jack Sparrow couldn’t be more different. While Jack Sparrow just kind of floated along doing whatever he felt like, Nemo was a really intense, driven guy who always kept his eyes on the prize. They’re practically opposites!

The series *Nautilus* performed well in terms of viewership and received mostly positive reviews, earning a 79% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.8/10 rating from IMDb users. However, a second season seems unlikely. The show was costly to make, relying heavily on computer-generated imagery for its underwater setting, and its production company, Seven Stories, recently closed down.

Currently, *Nautilus* is on pause, but fans can still re-watch it for a thrilling seafaring adventure.

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2025-10-20 04:08