Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Depp spectacle ("Alice in Wonderland" – $116.1 million). 3D showings accounted for only 46% of its opening-weekend gross. It closed on September 29, 2011, with a $241.1 million gross, ranking as the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2011 and the least profitable film of the franchise. However, it was the top-grossing movie during May 2011 (with $166.8 million by May 31). Outside North America, "On Stranger Tides" is the sixth-highest-grossing film, the third-highest-grossing Disney film, the second-highest-grossing 2011 film and the highest-grossing film of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series. It is the highest-grossing "Pirates" film in at least 58 territories. During
On Stranger Tides follow the plot of the novel. It was later revealed that while making the films, screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio found Tim Powers' novel and brought it up to producer Jerry Bruckheimer as an idea to optioned the book for the new chapter. In a 2011 interview, Tim Powers stated that Disney wanted the film rights as early as before the release of the second "Pirates" film, "", though he thought they already used elements beforehand with skeletal pirates replacing zombies from his book. In January 2010, Disney announced that the film would be released on May 20, 2011.