Best-Known Mountaineering Movies Ever Made

Whether you are a seasoned mountaineer or just love the mountains, you will definitely enjoy (or probably have enjoyed) these mountaineering movies. If you haven’t climbed a mountain yet but have plans to, perhaps these mountaineering movies will let you have a sneak peek on what it’s like to have a mountaineering adventure. Witness the characters experiencing harsh weather conditions, encountering steep, rocky paths and some suspenseful (literal) cliffhangers and finally reaching the summit.

Here are some best-known mountaineering movies ever made:

Touching the Void (2003)

The film was based on a non-fiction book by John Simpson retelling of his and Simon Yates’ near-fatal attempt to ascend the Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes. Like the book, the film was also critically acclaimed. The film is nerve-wracking and enthralling. At times it will exhaust you from just watching the two men trying to overcome their almost-impossible ordeal.

North Face (2008)

This German historical/adventure film features the exploits of two climbers who set out for an audacious attempt to conquer the north face of the Eiger, one of the most dangerous rock faces in the Alps.

The Summit

Based on a true story, director Nick Ryan’s compelling documentary film about the K2 disaster in 2008, cleverly combines the real-life footage and interviews with the dramatization of the tragedy.

Everest (2015)

This 3D adventure film is about two expedition groups trying to ascend the tallest mountain in the world, who encounter an unexpected storm. It is based on the real-life 1996 expedition on Mount Everest (played by Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin).

Beyond the Edge (2013)

The film retells of the actual exploits of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the first men to successfully reach Mount Everest. Indeed, an amazing visualization of the actual moments.

127 Hours (2010)

A harrowing and gripping real-life tale of survival is perfectly dramatized in this 2010 drama-adventure film about a mountain climber Aron Ralston (played by James Franco) whose left arm is trapped by a boulder in Blue John Canyon, Utah. Subsisting only on a day’s supply of food and water, a blunt pocket knife and the will to brave through this impossible ordeal, he does everything he can do to survive.

The Wildest Dream (2010)

This documentary film tells about British climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine who disappeared on Mount Everest in 1924, and the discovery of Mallory’s body in 1999 — 75 years later — by climber Conrad Anker.

K2 (1991)

Two climbers attempt to ascend the second tallest (and most dangerous) mountain in the world. They face a lot of challenges, both natural or human, especially during the time of their descent.

The Eiger Sanction (1975)

This action thriller is based on the 1972 fiction novel by Trevanian. The movie follows the story of an art history lecturer/ex-assassin (Clint Eastwood) forced out of retirement to retaliate the killing of an old friend. This latest assignment takes him to the north face of the Eiger Mountain, where the suspenseful action takes place.

Cliffhanger (1993)

The presence of Sylvester Stallone alone makes the film at least worth watching, plus the breathtaking aerial shots of the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps this is the most mainstream of all “mountain” movies and was a blockbuster hit at the time of its release.