6 Best Climbing Movies In 2021

"Free Solo" is a riveting documentary which tells the story of Alex Honnold's climbing of El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, on his own and without a rope in 2017. The movie devotes ample time both to Honnold's personal story and preparation process, as well as to the filmmaker's own difficulties in filming him without posing a threat during his ascent. The result is an intimate look at one of the greatest athletic feats of all time.

Bursting with stunning visuals, "Free Solo" is a movie about climbing that will keep you glued to your seat and make your mouth drop in awe as you consider that everything you see on screen actually happened. There are no green screens or special effects, just one man's determination, hard work and sheer will, but this is more than enough to make this mountain climbing documentary a movie you will remember for quite some time.

The documentary "Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey" is a climbing film which tells the story of the legendary and highly controversial American climber. Considered by many to be one of the most influential climbers of all time, Fred Beckey has spent 80 years climbing mountains but has also made a name for himself because of his lifestyle. Living on the road and refusing any material wealth, Beckey has become the "Dirtbag" of the movie's title.

Thanks to a decade of filming with unprecedented access, the documentary tells the story of the drive and superhuman achievements of this highly polarizing yet inspiring figure of the climbing world. The scope of the movie and the uniqueness of its main character make "Dirtbag" sit comfortably in the list of best climbing movies of all time, delivering pure entertainment even for those not accustomed to the sport.

A tale of opposites set on the background of stunning peaks, "The Climb" tells the story of two very different people working together to successfully undertake the climb of their lives. Derrick and Michael meet during a rescue and share nothing except the same climbing technique, with one being focused mostly on his personal success and the other filled with Christian values.

"The Climb" is one of the most gripping fiction mountain climbing movies, keeping you glued to the screen as the two opposites battle up the walls of the daunting mount Chicanagua, in the Chilean Andes. Mixing questions about faiths and beliefs with nail-biting adventure, "The Climb" more than earns its spot as one of the best rock climbing movies you can find.

"Safety Third" follows the incredible feats and risky endeavours that have made climber Brad Gobright, who recently passed away, one of the most respected and admired climbers of the modern age. The young man made a name for himself by constantly pushing the limits of climbing, taking on the scariest of climbs without ropes to help him stay safe and also setting numerous speed records, most of which still stand.

Amid movies about rock climbing, "Safety Third" is one of the most raw and delivers a feeling of closeness and reality that few others can reach. The particular episode it recounts is the Gobright's attempt to make his boldest ascent to date, naturally without a rope or any protection. However, given the exceptional character the movie focuses one, will all likelihood any other climb would have still made it become one of the best climbing movies to watch.

Selected as "Best Climbing Film" at the mountain film festivals of Vancouver and Domzale, "Redemption: The James Pearson Story" is a personal and touching look at the story of one of the UK's best trad climbers. After having become know in his home country as one of the top climbers, controversy on the grading system used on his routes left Pearson feeling excluded from the climbing world.

The movie follows his descent into the ashes and his journey of rebirth and, as in the aptly chosen title, redemption. Pearson battles to regain his place in the British climbing community and we follow him every step of the way, sharing in doubts, mistakes, and successes all underlined by a profound love of climbing and the mountains.

Set amid the beautiful landscapes of British Columbia, "On the Verge" tells the story of a small group of rock climbers who has been quietly pioneering routes on the imposing granite walls of Canada. The place is, however, threatened by the expansion of the nearby logging industry which threatens to make them lose access to the whole valley but which represents the main source of income for the nearby village.

"On the Verge" uses the story of climbers not only to make us fall in love with the sport but also to raise important questions about a search for balance between progress and the environment, as well as the desire to protect the places that are familiar to us. Selected for multiple film festival, "On the Verge" stands out between the mountain climbing movies amazon prime for its delicacy, elegance and strength.