Climbing is one sport than can always have you at the edge of your seat. There are so many different ways to put together a climbing movie, and each can teach you something different about climbing. Today we'll take a look at the best climbing movies and documentaries you must watch.
You can find the films on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or wherever you get your movies.
Best believe that some of these films will get your palms sweating just from watching the trailers!
1. Free Solo (2018)
Runtime: 1h 40 min - Watch It Now
Free solo climber Alex Honnold prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: to scale the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope.
This one will have your palms dripping with sweat during the entire documentary.
No Hollywood effects here! Only pure, death-defying skills that will leave you stunned. This is easily one of the best climbing movies for this generation.
2. 127 Hours (2010)
Runtime: 1h 33 min - Watch It Now
The true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah.
James Franco plays the role of Aron in the movie, giving an incredible performance for the pain that must have been felt.
It's quite an inspirational story for all climbers, and the sheer human will to try to survive the tough situation.
3. The Dawn Wall (2018)
Runtime: 1h 40 min - Watch It Now
Legendary free climber Tommy Caldwell tries to get over heartbreak by scaling 3,000 ft of an impossible rock face: the Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
This feat represents the pinnacle of his climbing career, and sets a new standard for elite climbing.
The film also results in breaking barriers in the realm of adventure sports documentaries.
4. Cliffhanger (1993)
Runtime: 1h 52 min - Watch It Now
Uber-mountain man Sylvester Stallone matches muscles and wits with ultra-bad guy John Lithgow in this dizzying thrill spectacular.
This is a pure classic for climbing movies. You get the best of the 90's action flicks all in one place.
Explosions and machine guns galore running through the Rockies, this movie provides the best guilty pleasure.
5. Touching The Void (2004)
Runtime: 1h 46 min - Watch It Now
Two men's thrilling and disastrous climb of the remote and treacherous Siula Grande in Peru. An incredible account of tragedy, friendship and human endurance.
The movie is based on the book and true survival story of Joe Simpson who broke his leg near the top of the Andes mountains.
The story is gripping, and becomes impressive as you watch him conquer what may seem like impossible situations.
6. Alive (1993)
Runtime: 2h 06 min - Watch It Now
True story of a rugby team stranded in the Andes after a plane crash. They face many physical and mental challenges which threaten their survival, which tests the very limits of human endurance.
Very few survived this tragic accident. Some are killed outright while others become seriously injured.
Climbers will enjoy the drama of how to overcome difficult situations with limited equipment available.
7. K2 (1991)
Runtime: 1h 43 min - Watch It Now
The complete opposite friends, Taylor and Harold share an intense passion for mountain climbing. Jumping at the chance to scale K2, the second highest mountain on Earth, they battle for their lives.
The movie is based on the true story of Jim Wickwire and Louis Reichardt, the first American pair to reach the top of the summit at K2.
This is an exciting film for climbers who can learn the dangers of K2 and the strength of friendship.
8. Meru (2015)
Runtime: 1h 30 min - Watch It Now
Three elite climbers find their way through obsession and loss as they attempt to climb Mount Meru, a high stakes game of Himalayan big wall climbing.
The group made a previous attempt in 2008 at Meru and failed in their quest for a documentary.
The film may encourage climbers to not give up on their dreams and to persevere through adversity.
9. Everest (2015)
Runtime: 2h 01 min - Watch It Now
Everest documents the deadly journey of two mountain climbing expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind.
The biographical film is based on the true events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.
It's an inspirational story of survival and set in one of the most famous climbing destinations of the world.
10. The Summit (2012)
Runtime: 1h 42 min - Watch It Now
This film tells the thrilling story of the deadliest day on the world's most dangerous mountain, when 11 climbers mysteriously perished on K2.
The film combines real footage with dramatized reconstructions of events that took place leading to the deaths of the climbers.
The documentary acts as a reminder for climbers of the dangers and natural threats of mountain climbing.
11. 180° South (2010)
Runtime: 1h 26 min - Watch It Now
Jeff Johnson retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Choulnard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.
Not only a climbing movie, it touches on the entire journey and challenges made along the way.
An inspiring story that can be found interesting to both travelers and climbers alike.
12. Nordwand (North Face) (2008)
Runtime: 2h 06 min - Watch It Now
Based on a true story, the film is based on a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, two German climbers begin their daring ascent.
Released in 2008, this has become a cult film among many climbing enthusiasts.
It teaches the dangers of climbing in severe conditions and the importance of team work while in life-threatening survival situations.
13. The Eiger Sanction (1975)
Runtime: 2h 09 min - Watch It Now
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this intrigue thriller about a retired assassin who is forced into action when a deadly double agents murders a close friend.
A classic 70's action movie, with the Eiger north face as the primary filming location for the climbing.
Overtime the movie has become much more popular than it's initial release.
To Conclude
Climbing acts as an excellent topic and theme for many of these movies and documentaries. Even those who do not climb can enjoy the action and drama of the best climbing movies. As many of the films follow real-life events, these can become a useful resource for rock climbers who want to progress to more difficult challenges.