Movies About Mountain Climbing

Updated April 1, 2024

So many creators have reported on Movies About Mountain Climbing. Here are 15 of the best ones.

Touching the Void (2003)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Kevin Macdonald, starring Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Rated R

Touching the Void is a 2003 documentary film based on the 1988 book of the same name by Joe Simpson. The film tells the true story of Simpson and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, and their journey to ascend the 21,000-foot Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. After a successful climb to the summit, the two men decide to descend the mountain by a different route than their ascent. However, this route proves to be much more dangerous and Simpson eventually falls into a deep crevasse and is severely injured. Yates, believing Simpson to be dead, makes the difficult decision to leave him behind and continues the descent. However, Simpson is miraculously able to survive and is faced with the challenge of surviving and finding his way back to safety. Through sheer willpower and determination, Simpson is able to crawl and drag himself out of the mountain, and eventually finds his way back to camp and safety. The film gives viewers an intense and emotional journey into the depths of human survival, and is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Werner Herzog, starring Werner Herzog, Scott Rowland, Stefan Pashov, Doug MacAyeal
Rated G

Encounters at the End of the World is a documentary film directed by Werner Herzog. The film follows Herzog’s journey to the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, exploring the lives of the scientists, adventurers, and everyday individuals who live and work there. The film examines the unique culture and beauty of the continent, showcasing its landscapes and wildlife as well as the personal struggles of its inhabitants. Through interviews with the people living and working on the continent, Herzog reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of preserving the environment and protecting our planet. The film ultimately illuminates how our planet is an ever-evolving and interconnected organism, and how we must work together to protect it.

Meru (2015)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, starring Conrad Anker, Grace Chin, Jimmy Chin, Amee Hinkley
Rated R

Meru is a 2015 documentary film directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. It follows the mountaineers Conrad Anker, Renan Ozturk, and Jimmy Chin as they attempt to climb the Shark's Fin on Mount Meru in the Himalayas. Meru documents their grueling and dangerous journey, which takes them to the limit of their physical and mental endurance. Through a unique combination of breathtaking cinematography, captivating storytelling, and raw emotion, Meru paints an unforgettable portrait of friendship, sacrifice, and the drive to push human potential to its limits.

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov, starring Werner Herzog, Gennady Soloviev, Anatoly Blumei, Gennady Tiganov
Rated Not Rated

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is a 2010 documentary film directed and produced by Werner Herzog and Dmitry Vasyukov. The film provides an intimate and unique look into the lives of a group of Siberian trappers who live and work in the remote and harsh environment of the Russian Taiga. Through a series of vignettes, we learn about the trappers’ daily lives, from their seasonal activities such as hunting and fishing, to their winter celebrations and gatherings, to their spiritual beliefs and rituals. We also gain insight into the trappers’ relationship with nature, as they learn to survive and thrive in the Taiga’s unforgiving environment. The film provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into this remote and isolated corner of the world and its inhabitants.

Chasing Ice (2012)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Jeff Orlowski-Yang, starring James Balog, Svavar Jónatansson, Louie Psihoyos, Kitty Boone
Rated PG-13

Chasing Ice is a 2012 documentary film directed by Jeff Orlowski-Yang. The movie follows acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog and his Extreme Ice Survey (EIS) as they document the drastic changes in the Arctic's glaciers over a period of several years. Through the use of time-lapse photography, the film captures the retreating glaciers of Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska, and examines how these changes affect our planet and the people living in their shadows. Balog and his team risk their lives to capture the incredible images of the glaciers, and the audience is taken on an emotional journey witnessing the effects of climate change first-hand. Chasing Ice is an inspiring and powerful story that sheds light on the realities of climate change and the effects of human activity on our planet.