Nothing beats the thrill of being out and battling your way up a rocky wall, but several movies have been made that provide almost as much excitement as wrestling with the rock yourself. If you’re an avid climber or simply a movie lover, the best climbing movies will keep you nailed to your seat as they deliver loads of suspense and adventure.
Whether you’re in the mood for a nice thriller or an inspiring documentary, the best rock climbing movies can provide you with enough material for all the entertainment you need. In this article, we present reviews of the best mountain climbing movies available today, so you won’t need to spend time choosing and can head straight for the fun.
OUR TOP PICK
“Free Solo” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- The real-life will and story of an incredible feat
- Stunning visuals
Genre: Documentary
Directors: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Length: 1h 40min
EDITORS CHOICE
“Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- Unique and inspiring character study
- Filmed over a whole decade
Genre: Documentary
Director: Dave O’Leske
Length: 1h 35min
BEST VALUE
“The Climb” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- A compelling tale of opposite characters collaborating
- Beautiful landscape shots
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Director: John Schmidt
Length: 1h 39min
“Safety Third” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- A unique portrait of an exceptional climber
- Raw and personal
Genre: Documentary, Adventure
Director: Cedar Wright, Taylor Keating
Length: 27min
“Redemption: The James Pearson Story” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- Touching personal story
- Wonderful scenery
Genre: Documentary
Directors: Paul Diffley, Chris Prescott
Length: 53min
“On the Verge” Climbing Movie
- What Makes This Climbing Movie Stand Out
- Touching personal story
- Wonderful scenery
Genre: Documentary
Directors: Paul Diffley, Chris Prescott
Length: 53min
How To Choose A Climbing Movie – Buying Guide
Genre
Climbing movies can mostly be divided into fiction and non-fiction, with an abundance of documentaries. The former category includes dramas that do not solely focus on the climbers themselves and their craft but tell a story that is set against the backdrop of beautiful mountains and the people trying to reach their summits. Such a splendid background always gives these films an epic feel that few other settings can deliver, making the stories come across very vividly and intensely.Â
The latter movies usually focus on individual climbers and their feats. Since the category is ripe with exceptional people who seek uncommon and incredible experiences, many stories will leave your jaw dangling with amazement. You are given a unique insight into what it takes to be a professional climber and what lies behind the drive that these special people have to focus on the highest and most difficult peaks. Great amounts of inspiration and motivation are often found between the spectators of these astounding documentaries, as the best climbing movies show us how things we believed impossible may be in our reach.
Use
Climbing movies catch our attention because they are entertaining, inspiring, or exciting. Many of us only see mountains from far away, but their snowy peaks are always a source of wonder and amazement, fueling our imagination and thirst for adventure. Top-rated rock climbing movies transport us to the very heart of these incredible landscapes, showing us what it means to confront yourself with them and what this can tell you about yourself. For those who are not into mountains and climbing, these movies still resonate because of the uniqueness of their stories and settings, the likes of which are very difficult if not impossible to find anywhere else. For avid climbers, on the other hand, there is hardly a better way to spend the time when they are not hitting the walls than watching climbing movies, fueling up on stunning landscapes and priceless inspiration.
Area
Most of the climbing movies we have presented in our list take you through the incredible landscape of North American national parks. Since some of the most challenging and inspiring climbing routes of the world are found there, it is only natural that they represent an abundant source of incredible stories as well. This is not to say, however, that there are no peaks worth climbing outside of the US and Canada because nothing would be further from the truth.Â
From the vast Himalayas to the stunning Andes, climbers and filmmakers have not left a corner of the world unexplored or unchallenged, even if still to this day many routes and peaks remain unclimbed. In this way, climbing movies also take you on a journey around the world, showing you some of the most incredible places you have never heard of, which is very likely to make you want to pack your bags and head out the door as soon as you can. This is what makes climbing unique and so addictive for so many people, since there is no other activity that can blend so completely an outer journey towards an unexplored peak, with an inner one, to face the hidden fears buried in our soul.
FAQs
Q:Â Why Should I Watch Climbing Movies?
Movies about mountain climbing can be watched for the same reasons we watch any movie, for entertainment. Some of these movies, however, provide an extra layer of meaning and purpose when they present you with real and touching stories about man and nature and the delicate equilibrium that lies between them. Some others can provide heaps of inspiration and motivation, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else. In any case, whatever your choice, you'll surely find compelling options anywhere you look.
Q:Â Will Climbing Movies Help Me Improve My Technique?
The best rock climbing movies, especially documentaries, may give you valuable insight into the minds and routines of exceptional climbers, but they do not in any way substitute your training. We encourage you to try out moves you might have seen on screen between the safe walls of a gym, but you can't just trust the movies if you want tangible improvements.
Globo Surf Overview
Climbing movies give you a unique mix of excitement, entertainment, and awe and can make up some of the most satisfying hours you can spend in front of a screen when you can’t be outdoors. Our climbing movie reviews have focused on the best of the best, those movies that will make your heart pound in your chest until they are over and sometimes even for a while after that. Every outdoor lover prefers being outside as much as they can instead of spending boring hours inside the house, but when you can’t hit the wall, having a list of your favorite climbing movies at hand can go a long way towards making the wait more bearable.
