Free Solo

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2:27

Free Solo

PG-13

2018

1h 40m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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

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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.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Mar 3, 2020

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.

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

Mar 5, 2019

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

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John Doyle

Globe and Mail

Mar 4, 2019

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

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Oct 11, 2024

The last act of this film is so tense, that it is almost hard to describe. The theatre was silent, as all of the audience held their breath, watching in awe as Honnold began his climb.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 20, 2022

3.5/5

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.

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Aug 17, 2022

5/5

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

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Danny L

@TheMovieBee 6 days ago

I did not think this was going to be something I would like, but I did! You don't need to be a fan of climbing mountains to enjoy watching this! Give it a go. It will scare the crap out of you.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 29, 2026

Free Solo = a *5* star Movie!

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Finley A

@FinleyAshley Jul 29, 2026

Amazing movie shows you how if you put your mind to it your can make it happen.

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Cem Okan Y

@cmyldz23 Apr 29, 2026

Fascinating documentary about this fantastic personality which I heard about first with the Taipei challenge - a challenge that is not even that difficult after seeing this documentary

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Peter F

@Pfit1990 Feb 4, 2026

Both awe-inspiring and a technical illustration. Insane watching him basically just walk up a 3,000 ft wall. Very heartwarming and funny doc as well with the underlying nervous tension of the threat of death. Alex is a unique and blunt character, I really hope he doesn't die.

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Gareth D

@HiGarethDavies Feb 1, 2026

A documentary about having a relationship with an autistic partner. Fantastic.

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Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Director

Jimmy Chin

Director

Alex Honnold

Self

Tommy Caldwell

Self

Sanni McCandless

Self

Jimmy Chin

Self

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Free Solo: Trailer 1

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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: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes, Shannon Dill
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

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