Free Solo

PG-13

Released Sep 28, 2018

1h 40m

Documentary

TRAILER

for Free Solo: Trailer 1

List

98%

160 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 24

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Hulu

Watch Free Solo with a subscription on Disney+, Hulu, rent on Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Free Solo depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason - and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal.

Read Critics Reviews

Brian D

77%. Alex is a pretty strange dude. So is his gf. The history of Alex and then bringing in his gf isn't very exciting. The planning of the climb is pretty cool. Overall the first 3/4 of the film is pretty slow and then the actual ascent is riveting. 2/5 rewatch. Would really just skip to the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

K B

Phenomenal movie - amazing scenery

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

Alec B

Free Solo is a truly nerve-wracking documentary that follows world-renowned rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to conquer the seemingly impossible: scaling the 3,200-foot vertical face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without any ropes or safety gear. The film not only captures what can be considered the greatest physical feat of our time, but also the psychology of risk-taking and the sheer determination required to stay alive during a free solo of this magnitude. With breathtaking cinematography and a gripping narrative, "Free Solo" left my palms sweaty in the best way possible. Excited to continue following Honnold's ground breaking journies beyond this documentary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Michael G

You can't get past the fact that this is a brilliant documentary. At the same time, I don't particularly appreciate seeing a narcissist like Alex Honnold glorified. It is both an incredible feat of athleticism and selfishness all at once. Alex cares little about those around him and the effect his death might have upon those who love him. The film is a fascinating simply because of the number of people drawn to such a selfish man and yet overlook every second of his self-centered behavior. Clearly for people like Alex only by putting their life at risk do they feel a sense of accomplishment. It should be noted that Alex had scaled El Capitan many times with a rope for safety reasons. It's the same solo climb but with a rope just in case something happens.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

Elliot H

This movie in incredibly inspirational and I strongly recommend it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

Alexis E

By far on of my favorite documentary I have vied I loved all the different camera angles used the how we were able to get a different perspective and a deeper idea of each person in the documentary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Director

Jimmy Chin

Director

Alex Honnold

Self

Tommy Caldwell

Self

Sanni McCandless

Self

Jimmy Chin

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

93%

97%

The Alpinist

TRAILER

for The Alpinist

82%

82%

The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari

TRAILER

for The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari

45%

73%

Waiting for Lightning

100%

97%

5B

TRAILER

for 5B

91%

72%

Wild Life

TRAILER

for Wild Life

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

BAFTA Winners 2019: The Full List

What to Watch with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick

Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2018

Free Solo: Trailer 1

2:27

View more videos

View more photos

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

This awe-inspiring National Geographic documentary is as much a celebration of U.S. parks and wilderness as it is a record of one of the most audacious feats in the history of mountaineering.

Mar 3, 2020

Full Review

Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

The visuals are stunning, offering head-spinning views with the comfort of total safety.

Mar 5, 2019

Full Review

John Doyle

Globe and Mail

Free Solo...is a jaw-dropper, both in what is documented and its visual impact.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Alex Honnald is as fascinating as he is enigmatic and soaking up his story proves to be a satisfying experience. Yet despite the amount of time we spend with him it’s hard to get into his headspace.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

An exhilarating, immersive achievement. Free Solo is simply the best sports documentary ever made if you had to categorize it.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

Directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi provide an incredible amount of tension in every step that is taken and every crevasse that is reached for.

Rated: 8/10

May 29, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Tim Pastore, Matt Renner
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co: Little Monster Films, Itinerant Media
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5M
Runtime: 1h 40m

Most Popular at Home Now