The best climbing films to stream in the UK
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Cheedale - Peak District, UK
I rarely watch much in the way of normal TV, but love streaming a good film or outdoor documentary. Climbing films have been a firm favourite, ever since I tied into a harness for the first time - way back in 1997 🫣 Even though the films I watch have always been far beyond my own ability, they still leave me inspired and energised.
It’s fair to say I’ve seen my fair share of climbing films since the late 90’s. Back then, it was pretty rare to find women in them - I think one of the first I came across was The Hit List with Lisa Rands. I love that more women are featured in films now, making them much more relatable.
Personally, I enjoy a real mix when it comes to climbing films - from bouldering to alpine mountaineering and everything in between. I love seeing both male and female teams pushing their limits in different styles and settings.
I’ve shared a few of my favourites below (and where you can watch them), along with a couple still on my watchlist. I’ve also ended with some links to classic films and online platforms where you can stream many more.
Valley Uprising
This feature-length documentary dives into the rebellious history of climbing in Yosemite Valley. It covers the dirtbag pioneers of the 1950’s to the modern day speed climbers racing up El Cap.
I loved learning more about the roots of big wall climbing and seeing archive footage of legendary figures like Lynne Hill and Yvon Chouinard. The film captures the culture of the valley with climbers living out of vans, pushing limits, and challenging the rules.
Watch free on
Red Bull TV: https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/films/valley-uprising
This is Beth
I first saw Beth Rodden in films years ago, often alongside her then husband, Tommy Caldwell. But the one that really stuck was the documentary about her first ascent of Meltdown in Yosemite (2008). It was the hardest single pitch trad climb in the USA at the time, and the hardest established by a women.
What made it even more relatable is that Beth’s only 5ft tall, a couple of inches shorter than me, so I had no more height excuses!
This is Beth looks back on her career, from first ascents of new routes to free climbs on El Capitan. It also explores her struggles with self doubt and body image, and her journey to rebuild her relationship with climbing and herself.
How to watch in the UK:
Part of Reel Rock S8 E7, I found a free streaming on
Red Bull TV: https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/episodes/reel-rock-s8-e7
Climbing Blind
This multi-award winning documentary follows the story of climber, Jesse Dufton, climbing the Old Man of Hoy. Jesse was born with 20% central vision and, by the age of 30, his vision was reduced to just light perception with around 1-2% field of view.
Despite this, he takes on the challenge of being the first blind person to make a ‘non-sight’ lead of the Old Man of Hoy sea stack in Scotland.
I found the film truly mind blowing and incredible to watch. Loved it!
How to watch in the UK:
Stream free if you have Amazon Prime, or buy on
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GJv71k *
Here to climb
This film follows Sasha DiGiulian’s career as one of the most successful female climbers of her generation, from world championships to major first ascents around the world.
I read her book Take the Lead * and it left a big impression. Her honestly about the physical and mental toll of the sport, including coming back from five surgeries, was seriously inspiring.
Here to Climb captures all that - the big routes, the setbacks, the pressure, and the relentless determination it took to return to the top.
How to watch in the UK:
Free to stream on
Red Bull TV: https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/films/here-to-climb
Freya
This four-minute film follows 9-year-old Freya Houlding, daughter of climber Leo Houlding, on a summer holiday with her mum, dad and 5-year-old brother. They’re on a multi-pitch climb, sleeping out on the cliff face.
Freya has autism, and she shares how she sometimes struggles with things many of us take for granted. But, in the outdoors, especially on rock, she finds quiet and calm, and describes her neurodiversity as her ‘superpower’.
There’s a gentle strength in how she approaches fear in everyday life, and she shares: “That’s what climbing teaches me, it’s ok to get scared”. I thought this was a beautiful and genuinely uplifting short film.
How to watch in the UK:
Free to stream on
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ka_a8iLx694?feature=shared
Statement of Youth: The Birth of British Sport Climbing
This film takes you back to the 1980’s, an era when British climbers began pioneering bolted sport routes. At the start of the decade, 7b+ was cutting edge - by the end, 9a was the new world standard.
Featuring climbers like Jerry Moffatt, Ben Moon, Andy Pollitt, Chris Gore, Johnny Dawes, the film shows how they lived with a single-minded passion for climbing. Filmed in 2019, it has interviews with the climbers then, and also looks back over vintage archive footage.
I started climbing in the Sheffield area in the late 1990’s and these climbers were still legends, exciting to see at the crag or wall. I loved learning about their radical lifestyle, camping under crags and scraping enough together to climb full-time.
How to watch in the UK:
Free to stream on
YouTube: https://youtu.be/zeqI9axxrco?feature=shared
Wide Boyz
Wide Boyz follows British crack-climbing duo Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall as they head to the USA to push the limits with off-width climbing. Their ultimate goal is the first ascent of Century Crack, a renowned off-width climb in the Utah desert.
This film is about more than the bold physical feats. It also shows the duo’s fun personalities behind the climbing, with lots of banter and sheer determination.
I’ve have to admit, off-width climbing is one of my least favourite things to do. But the film was strangely endearing and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
How to watch in the UK:
Free to stream on
YouTube: https://youtu.be/IDElVaVRJco?feature=shared
Pretty Strong
This one’s on my watchlist. Released in 2020, it followed eight of the world’s strongest female climbers as they explored new climbing areas and pushed themselves and the boundaries of the sport.
“The climbers featured include Nina Williams, Katie Lambert, Daila Ojeda, Hazel Findlay, and more. Created by the all-women production team Never Not Collective, Pretty Strong is a climbing film about women, by women, and for everyone.”
How to watch in the UK:
Rent or buy on
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/prettystrong/402224933
The Wall - Climb for Gold
Documentary following four female climbers as they attempt to compete in the first ever Olympic climbing competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Featuring Shauna Coxsey (GB), Janja Garnbret (Slovenia), Miho Nonaka (Japan), and Brooke Raboutou (USA).
I’ve not seen it yet, but the trailer looks fantastic.
How to watch in the UK:
Rent or buy on
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4odMt7x *
A few classics from the past
Hard Grit
The classic climbing film from 1998, following British climbers on gritstone in the Peak District and Yorkshire.
Watch Hard Grit on Brit Rock +
Blood, Sweat and Bagels
Lighthearted film from 2000, following two British climbers going to Yosemite to try a free ascent of the Salathe Wall.
Watch Blood, Sweat and Bagels on Brit Rock +
Upside Down Wales
Fun look at climbing in Wales through the eyes of climber George Smith. Winner of the Best Film award at LLAMFF in 2008.
Where to stream climbing films and documentaries
If you’re looking for more climbing films, here are some great places to find them, from free short films to full length documentaries.
YouTube
The ultimate go-to, with loads of climbing content from outdoor brands, filmmakers, and athletes. Be sure to check channels from outdoor brands, filmmakers, and climbers too.
Red Bull TV
Free to watch and packed with climbing films, plus you can browse by activity if you’re into other adventures too.
Brit Rock+
You’ll need to create an account but can then access tons of climbing films.
Mntn Film
A film database with hundreds of links to free climbing films hosted on YouTube.
MNTN Film - free climbing films
Streaming platforms
While most mainstream platforms don’t specialise in climbing content, you can find a few gems tucked away. Search terms like climbing documentary or mountaineering to uncover them.
Amazon Prime - climbing films *
Disney+ - The Last Tepui with Alex Honnold
Netflix - Race to the Summit with Ueli Steck and Dani Arnold
You may also be interested in reading:
10 awesome adventure films to keep you inspired
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What do the links with an * mean?
Links with an * by them are affiliated which means if you get a product via this link, a contribution may be made to the Outdoor Girl website, helping it stay free to use.
You shouldn’t notice any difference in the product or cost. Importantly, the content I write is NEVER impacted by these links. For more details, please read my policy on affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links.
As I believe transparency is important, I’m sharing the un-affiliated links too, but note this version does not help the Outdoor Girl website.
Unaffiliated web addresses for the * links in this blog post:
Take the Lead - Sasha DiGiulian
Climbing Blind
The Wall - Climb for Gold
Amazon Prime climbing films