Every Gore Verbinski Movie, Ranked (Including Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die)

Gore Verbinski’s latest film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, is his eleventh, and it reinforces his reputation as a director who refuses to be confined by genre or a consistent style. He consistently experiments with different approaches, and this movie is no exception. While it doesn’t suffer from a lack of focus, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die stands out as perhaps his most original work yet, demonstrating his continued willingness to challenge himself.

Is Gore Verbinski’s latest film his greatest achievement? Let’s take a look at his entire filmography to see how it compares to his best and worst works.

11) The Mexican

The poster for The Mexican immediately suggests a big-budget, romantic adventure film featuring two major stars, whether you saw it back in the early 2000s or today. It’s therefore not surprising the movie was a box office success.

Despite featuring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, the movie The Mexican doesn’t really utilize their chemistry. They’re separated for most of the film, which, surprisingly, works out for the best. Neither actor delivers a particularly strong performance, and keeping them apart allowed for the creation of James Gandolfini’s character – easily the most memorable and arguably the only truly good thing about the movie.

Stream The Mexican on Paramount+.

10) The Lone Ranger

Disney keeps trying to recreate the success of Pirates of the Caribbean, and it’s understandable given how much money those films made. However, most of their attempts haven’t worked. Movies like Tomorrowland, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and John Carter were all big disappointments. Jungle Cruise got a little closer to capturing that adventurous spirit, but it didn’t lead to a sequel either.

It seemed like a sure bet that director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp could pull it off, considering their successful collaboration on the first three films. However, The Lone Ranger is simply too long, too extravagant, and feels completely inconsistent in its tone, making it one of the most awkwardly made big-budget movies in recent memory. With both Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp facing public scrutiny, it’s an even more difficult film to watch now than it already was.

9) A Cure for Wellness

Gore Verbinski deserves credit for always trying new things, but his film A Cure for Wellness didn’t quite succeed in creating a complex and frightening psychological horror experience. However, the choice to cast Mia Goth was brilliant.

The biggest problem with A Cure for Wellness is its length. The movie spends a lot of time building atmosphere but doesn’t deliver many frightening moments. There are several parts where the story drags and viewers might lose interest. While it’s visually appealing and tries to do a lot, it lacks memorable scenes or plot twists that stay with you after watching it.

Stream A Cure for Wellness on Cinemax.

8) Mouse Hunt

While Mouse Hunt feels a bit long-winded with its never-ending mishaps, it’s a remarkably strong first film from director Verbinski. It’s generally suitable for children – aside from a few mild curse words – and manages to be enjoyable for adults too.

Imagine Tim Burton’s spooky style, similar to the movie Beetlejuice, combined with the playful energy of Home Alone. Instead of a kid defending his house from burglars, this story features a mouse outsmarting two goofy brothers. Nathan Lane and Lee Evans are funny as the brothers, but the mouse truly steals the show, whether it’s a real mouse or the incredibly detailed robotic version created for the film.

Stream MouseHunt on Paramount+.

7) The Weather Man

We’ve become accustomed to Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top performances, making The Weather Man surprisingly subtle when you look back at it. If you enjoy dry and sometimes even a bit disturbing humor, you’ll likely find it very enjoyable.

The movie centers on a man facing everyday struggles – a disliked job, a daughter who’s bullied, and a difficult relationship with his father. Despite these challenges, the film isn’t overly bleak; instead, it’s a story that makes you root for the main character just because he keeps trying his best.

Stream The Weather Man for free on Kanopy.

6) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

While not as polished as the first two films, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End provides a fittingly wild and surprisingly touching finale to the trilogy. The fact that this feels like the last Pirates movie made for artistic reasons, rather than just profit, speaks volumes about the work of director Gore Verbinski and stars Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom.

When At World’s End first came out, some people criticized its nearly three-hour length and intense scenes – like the opening scene featuring a hanging. However, those aspects don’t actually detract from the film. Subsequent viewings reveal that the movie justifies its long runtime. While the ship flipping over and the giant Calypso in the finale might not appeal to everyone, they demonstrate that the Pirates of the Caribbean series still had plenty of creative ideas to keep the story interesting at that point.

Stream Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on Disney+.

5) Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die

Many fast-paced, energetic movies eventually become exhausting, but Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die manages to stay consistently engaging, even with a runtime of over two hours. It’s a genuinely joyful experience that also offers surprisingly thoughtful commentary on the current state of the world.

There are many pressing issues facing us today, and the film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die addresses several of them – from kids’ phone addiction and the tragedy of school shootings (and a disturbing acceptance of them), to the potential dangers of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The movie features a delightful performance by Sam Rockwell, with strong support from Zazie Beetz, Haley Lu Richardson, and Juno Temple. While its unusual approach might not appeal to everyone, it’s likely to gain a dedicated following over time.

4) Rango

It’s unexpected that Rango came out under the Nickelodeon label, as the humor is definitely more for adults than kids. The movie includes surprisingly mature jokes – like a character asking a mannequin about her breasts, another mentioning finding a human spinal column, and Rango telling a character she likely just swallowed emergency contraception. There are also gags about laxatives, prostate problems, and even a nod to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

This isn’t meant to diminish Verbinski’s animated film at all. Quite the opposite – it suggests the movie will continue to delight audiences of all ages for many years. It’s beautifully animated, clearly made with a passion for storytelling, and shows a deep appreciation for the Westerns that inspired it.

Stream Rango on Paramount+.

3) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest feels less like a complete movie on its own and more like the first part of a longer story, which left some viewers feeling unfulfilled when it was released. However, like the third film, At World’s End, the movie has aged well and is now viewed more favorably.

This fantasy adventure is consistently exciting, with memorable scenes like the bone cages and, of course, every appearance by Davy Jones. While Captain Barbosa is a great villain, Bill Nighy’s portrayal of Jones is even more impressive. The special effects used to create Jones in 2006 still hold up remarkably well today, but it’s Nighy’s performance that truly makes the character work – he perfectly captures both Jones’s sadness and his intense rage. He delivers an absolutely phenomenal performance.

Stream Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest on Disney+.

2) The Ring

Gore Verbinski’s The Ring was a major turning point in his career and sparked a trend of Hollywood remakes of classic Japanese horror films. Though The Grudge has some scares, it doesn’t compare to how captivating and frightening The Ring is.

This movie excels at creating a sense of unease and vulnerability in the audience. It uses a distinctive blue-green color scheme to evoke a feeling of being overwhelmed, and both the child and adult characters are consistently threatened. The film prioritizes building suspense and a chilling atmosphere over relying on quick, startling scares – though it does include a few effective ones, including a truly exceptional jump scare.

Stream The Ring on Paramount+

1) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

As soon as Johnny Depp appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, I knew he was meant to play that part. The way he delivered every line was so playful and captivating – it just made an already fun and exciting movie even better. It honestly felt like the role he was born to play!

Everything about Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl just works perfectly. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow is arguably the most memorable performance of the 2000s, and Geoffrey Rush clearly relishes playing Captain Barbossa. The film successfully blends big-budget action with classic pirate adventure, and the romance between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann felt genuine. This romantic element often gets overlooked, but it was important for keeping the story grounded and balancing out Jack Sparrow’s more comedic moments.

Stream Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on Disney+.

Interested in checking out Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment and joining the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-15 01:44