Netflix’s Swashbuckling Sensation: Why ‘Sandokan: The Pirate Prince’ Is the Epic Period Adventure You Need to Binge Right Now

In a streaming landscape saturated with reboots, true-crime docs, and prestige dramas, sometimes what viewers crave most is pure, unadulterated escapism—high-seas action, forbidden romance, daring sword fights, and a charismatic hero standing against empire. Enter Sandokan: The Pirate Prince, Netflix’s latest international gem that dropped all eight episodes on January 19, 2026, and quickly stormed the global Top 10 charts. This lavish Italian production, originally airing on Rai 1 in December 2025 before conquering Netflix worldwide, revives the legendary pirate tales of Emilio Salgari with modern flair, breathtaking visuals, and a cast that mixes international star power with seasoned talent.

If you’re hunting for your next binge-watch this week in early February 2026, look no further. Sandokan delivers the kind of pulse-pounding adventure that echoes the golden age of pirate epics like Pirates of the Caribbean or the swashbuckling thrills of The Mummy (1999)—but with a grounded historical edge, themes of resistance and freedom, and enough romantic tension to keep you glued through every episode.

At its core, Sandokan: The Pirate Prince is an adaptation of the iconic Sandokan cycle by Italian author Emilio Salgari, a prolific writer whose late-19th and early-20th-century novels turned the fictional Malaysian pirate into a cultural icon across Europe. Salgari, who never set foot in Southeast Asia yet conjured vivid exotic worlds from books and imagination, created Sandokan as the “Tiger of Malaysia”—a fierce, noble outlaw leading the Tigers of Mompracem against colonial oppressors in the Borneo and Malay Archipelago of the 1840s-1860s. His stories blended real historical figures (like the infamous White Rajah James Brooke) with romanticized adventure, making Sandokan a symbol of anti-imperial defiance long before such themes gained mainstream traction.

Previous adaptations include the beloved 1976 Italian miniseries starring Kabir Bedi, which became a phenomenon in Italy and beyond, spawning reruns, dubbed versions, and enduring nostalgia. This 2025 version—directed by Jan Maria Michelini and Nicola Abbatangelo, produced by Lux Vide (known for sweeping historicals like The Bible series), and scripted with input from Luca Bernabei and Scott Rosenbaum—honors that legacy while updating it for contemporary audiences. It aired first in Italy but exploded globally on Netflix, hitting #7 on the platform’s worldwide TV list with millions of views in its debut week and climbing higher in territories from the US to Latin America.

The plot unfolds in 1840s Borneo, where the British Empire’s grip tightens on lucrative trade routes and natural resources. Enter Sandokan (played by Turkish heartthrob Can Yaman), a charismatic Dayak pirate captain ruling from the hidden island stronghold of Mompracem. With his loyal Portuguese-Portuguese friend and strategist Yanez de Gomera (Alessandro Preziosi) and a ragtag but fiercely devoted multinational crew—including the fierce warrior Sani (Madeleine Price)—Sandokan raids British ships, disrupts colonial exploitation, and protects indigenous Dayak communities from displacement and oppression.

The stakes skyrocket when Sandokan encounters Lady Marianna Guillonk (Alanah Bloor), the spirited, rebellious daughter of the British consul Lord Guillonk (Owen Teale). Known as the “Pearl of Labuan,” Marianna is no passive damsel—she’s intelligent, defiant, and increasingly disillusioned with empire’s brutality. Their chance meeting sparks an intense, forbidden romance that threatens to upend alliances and ignite full-scale conflict. Complicating matters is Lord James Brooke (Ed Westwick), the real-life-inspired pirate hunter and self-proclaimed White Rajah of Sarawak. Ruthless, ambitious, and dangerously charming, Brooke sees Sandokan as both a personal threat and an obstacle to his colonial ambitions—and he has his sights set on Marianna as well.

Adding gravitas and grit is John Hannah as Sergeant Murray, a battle-hardened British officer torn between duty and growing doubts about the empire’s methods. Hannah, beloved for his role as Jonathan Carnahan in The Mummy, brings wry humor, moral complexity, and physical presence to a supporting role that elevates the ensemble.

What makes Sandokan so compulsively watchable is its masterful balance of genres. Each ~50-60-minute episode packs high-octane action: ship-to-ship battles with roaring cannons and swinging ropes, jungle ambushes amid lush Borneo foliage (filmed on stunning locations in Calabria, Italy, standing in for Southeast Asia), hand-to-hand duels with gleaming cutlasses, and daring escapes that recall classic Errol Flynn swashbucklers. Yet the series never sacrifices character or theme. Sandokan’s fight isn’t just for treasure—it’s for freedom, cultural survival, and justice against exploitation. The romance between Sandokan and Marianna crackles with chemistry—Yaman’s brooding intensity meets Bloor’s fiery independence—while subplots explore betrayal, hidden pasts, and the personal costs of rebellion.

Visually, the show is a feast. Cinematography captures the humid, vibrant world of 19th-century Southeast Asia: emerald jungles, turquoise seas, opulent colonial mansions contrasting ramshackle Dayak villages. Practical effects dominate—real ships, explosive set pieces, and stunt work that feels tactile and dangerous—while the score by Calibro 35 blends orchestral swells with ethnic percussion for an epic, immersive feel. Costume design shines too: Sandokan’s tiger-striped attire nods to his nickname, while British uniforms and indigenous garb add authenticity and visual contrast.

The international cast is a highlight. Can Yaman, a massive star in Turkey and Europe from rom-coms like Erkenci Kuş, transforms into a physical, commanding lead. He underwent rigorous training for fight scenes and swordplay, bringing raw charisma and vulnerability to Sandokan—less cartoonish hero, more tormented freedom fighter discovering his princely heritage. Ed Westwick, forever Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, revels in playing the suave, calculating villain Brooke; his icy charm makes every confrontation electric. John Hannah grounds the British side with nuance, while Alessandro Preziosi’s Yanez provides loyal wit and strategic brilliance. Supporting players like Madeleine Price’s Sani add depth to the crew’s diversity and loyalty.

Critics and fans have praised the series’ blend of old-school adventure with modern sensibilities. It doesn’t shy from colonialism’s horrors—forced labor, cultural erasure—but avoids preachiness, letting action and relationships drive the message. Viewers on social media call it a “breath of fresh air” in a post-superhero era, with many bingeing the season in one sitting. “It’s like Black Sails meets The Mummy—pirates, politics, passion,” one Reddit user raved. The show earned a solid 7.1 on IMDb from early ratings, with praise for Yaman’s performance and the production values.

Of course, no epic is without flaws. Some early episodes lean heavily on action setup, and the Italian production’s English dialogue occasionally feels slightly accented or stylized. Yet these are minor quibbles in a show that delivers consistent thrills. The season builds to a climactic finale full of betrayals, alliances, and high-stakes showdowns, leaving threads tantalizingly open.

The best news? Sandokan has already been renewed for Season 2, with filming slated to begin in spring 2026 and a potential 2027 release. More adventures await as Sandokan’s legend grows.

In February 2026, as winter lingers and new releases compete for attention, Sandokan: The Pirate Prince stands out as the perfect escape. It’s big, bold, romantic, and rebellious—everything a great adventure should be. Fire up Netflix, grab your popcorn (or rum), and let the Tiger of Malaysia roar. Freedom has rarely looked this thrilling.