Everest is one of the most captivating natural wonders in the world. It has been a source of fascination for mountaineers, adventurers, and filmmakers for decades. Basically, several movies have been about the Everest and many of them have hit the charts. These movies provide a glimpse into the lives of those who attempt to reach the summit and the obstacles they must overcome.
Whether it’s based on real-life events or fictional stories, these movies offer something for everyone. Likewise, from heart-pumping thrillers to inspiring tales of perseverance, these movies bring the majesty of the mountain to life. Here are a few of the best Everest movies to watch.
List of the best Everest movies and documentaries
| Movies | Year | Genre | IMDb rating |
| The Epic of Everest | 1924 | Documentary | 7.6 |
| Wings Over Everest | 1934 | Documentary | 6 |
| The Conquest of Everest | 1953 | Documentary | 7.3 |
| The Man Who Skied Down Everest | 1975 | Documentary | 7.2 |
| Into Thin Air: Death on Everest | 1997 | Movie | 5.7 |
| Everest | 1998 | Documentary | 7 |
| The Wildest Dream | 2010 | Documentary | 7.2 |
| Beyond the Edge | 2013 | Docudrama | 6.8 |
| Sherpa | 2015 | Documentary | 7.6 |
| Everest | 2015 | Movie | 7.1 |
| The Summit of the Gods | 2021 | Animation | 7.5 |
| 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible | 2021 | Documentary | 7.7 |
The Epic of Everest
“The Epic of Everest” is a 1924 silent documentary film about the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition. It was directed and produced by Captain John Noel and is considered to be one of the earliest and most important films about mountaineering. The film was shot on location during the expedition and includes footage of the team’s preparation and ascent, as well as the tragic events that occurred on the mountain. It is considered a classic of early mountaineering and adventure filmmaking and is still shown in mountain film festivals and events today.
Wings over Everest
Wings over Everest is a 22 minutes short documentary released in 1934. It is a British film directed by Geoffrey Barkas and Ivor Montagu. It documented the 1933 Houston-Mount Everest flight mission, in which Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, also known as Lord Clydesdale, piloted a single-engined biplane on 3 April 1933, almost cleared Everest’s southern summit by a few feet after being trapped in a violent downdraught. The film combined genuine videos of Everest from the record-breaking flight with theatrically created segments using real people rather than actors.
The Conquest of Everest
“The Conquest of Everest” is a 1953 British documentary film that chronicles the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal on May 29, 1953. The film was directed by George Lowe and produced by the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club.
The film was shot on location in the Himalayas and includes footage of the expedition’s preparation, the climb itself, and the celebration upon their return. The film was a critical and commercial success and won the Grand Prize for documentaries at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. It is considered one of the most important and influential climbing films ever made. It was available for public viewing and was distributed in many countries.
The Man Who Skied Down Everest
“The Man Who Skied Down Everest” is a 1975 documentary film that chronicles the story of Japanese skier Yuichiro Miura’s attempt to ski down Mount Everest. The film, directed by Bruce Brown, was released in 1975 and was a commercial and critical success. It documents Miura’s journey from the base camp to the summit, and his descent down the mountain on skis, which he accomplished on May 6, 1970.
Moreover, the film also highlights the challenges and dangers of the expedition, including avalanches, high winds, and freezing temperatures. The film is considered a classic in the genre of action and adventure filmmaking, and is still widely viewed and respected today. The film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 48th Academy Awards.
Into Thin Air: Death on Everest
“Into Thin Air: Death on Everest” is a 1997 made-for-television movie, directed by Robert Markowitz, which is based on the book of the same name by journalist and mountaineer Jon Krakauer. The movie tells the story of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, in which eight climbers died, and is based on Krakauer’s personal account of the events.
The film stars Christopher McDonald, Martin Henderson, and Nathaniel Parker, and covers the events leading up to the disaster, the climb itself, and the aftermath. The film received mixed reviews for its depiction of the events, and for its adherence to the book’s account. The film was criticized for not showing the full complexity of the events, and for simplifying the story. However, it was a commercial success and was aired on several television networks.
Everest
Everest is a 45-minute documentary that details the difficulties climbers faced while attempting to reach Mount Everest, the tallest mountain peak in the world, which is situated in the Himalayan area of Nepal and Tibet. It was launched in March 1998 and went on to earn the most money of any IMAX movie ever. The documentary was narrated by Irish actor Liam Neeson. It describes the preparation required to reach the top of Mount Everest as well as the difficulties encountered on the ascent, including avalanches, blizzards, and oxygen deprivation.
The Wildest Dream
“The Wildest Dream” is a 2010 British biographical documentary film directed by Anthony Geffen. The film tells the story of British mountaineer George Mallory, who died while attempting to climb Mount Everest in 1924. The film is based on the book “The Wildest Dream: The Biography of George Mallory” by Peter Gillman and Leni Gillman.
The film combines archival footage and photographs of Mallory’s expeditions with dramatic reenactments and interviews with contemporary climbers. The film explores Mallory’s motivations for climbing, the technology and techniques of the time, and the mystery surrounding his final climb, which was never completed. The film was widely praised for its storytelling and visuals and was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Documentary.
Beyond the Edge
“Beyond the Edge” is a 2013 New Zealand-American docudrama film directed by Leanne Pooley, which tells the story of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. The film is a blend of archival footage, re-enactments, and contemporary interviews with surviving members of the expedition.
The film covers the planning, preparation, and execution of the expedition and the challenges and dangers faced by the climbers. It also explores the personal motivations of Hillary and Norgay and the impact their achievement had on the world. The film was widely praised for its unique approach to storytelling and for its visual and technical achievements and was nominated for several awards.
Sherpa
“Sherpa” is a 2015 Australian-New Zealand documentary film directed by Jennifer Peedom. The film explores the lives and culture of the Sherpa people, who are an ethnic group of people living in the Himalayas, particularly those who work as guides and porters for mountaineers on Mount Everest. The film follows the Sherpas as they prepare for the 2014 climbing season and their relationships with foreign climbers.
Moreover, it also covers the tragic events of April 18, 2014, in which an avalanche killed 16 Sherpa climbers and injured many others, bringing attention to the risks and dangers faced by the Sherpa community. The film received positive reviews for its sensitive and thought-provoking look at the lives of the Sherpa people and the issues they face and was nominated for several awards.
Everest
“Everest” is a 2015 American biographical adventure film directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy. The film is based on the true story of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and follows the events of the ill-fated expedition led by Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The film tells the story of the climbers’ journey to the summit and the challenges they faced, including avalanches, high winds, and freezing temperatures. It also explores the personal motivations of the climbers and the impact the disaster had on their families and loved ones. The film was a commercial success and received positive reviews for its technical achievements and performances, particularly for its depiction of the climbing action.
The Summit of the Gods
“The Summit of the Gods” is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yumemakura Baku. The series was serialized in Big Comic Original magazine between 1988 and 1996. It tells the story of a group of climbers as they attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, and the obstacles they face along the way.
Moreover, the series also explores the personal motivations of the climbers and the impact the climb has on their lives. The manga was adapted into a live-action film in 2014, directed by Takashi Yamazaki and starred by Gō Ayano. It was well received by the audience and critics alike for its accurate portrayal of the climbing action and human emotions.
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, is one of the greatest movies related to Mount Everest. It was directed by Torquil Jones and was released in 2021. The documentary details the efforts of Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his team to ascend all 14 eight-thousander peaks in a record-breaking seven months.
Generally, the expedition team captured a sizable amount of the footage, and the director afterward added more shots and interviews, including those with Reinhold Messner, other important high-altitude mountaineers, and Purja‘s family.
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