Are you a fan of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure? Whether you’re an avid mountain climber or just love watching others take on the wild, hiking movies are a great way to get your fix. From breathtaking landscapes to heart-pounding close calls, these films offer a mix of spectacular scenery and gripping stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
In this blog, we’ve put together a list of 36 must-watch hiking movies that capture the essence of exploration and the human spirit. You can find many of these movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms.
So, grab some popcorn, get comfy, and let’s embark on a cinematic journey through some of the most stunning and challenging trails on earth!
LIST OF THE BEST HIKING MOVIES & DOCUMENTARIES:
1. Wild (2014)
Starring Reese Witherspoon. 7.1 stars on IMDB. One of the more popular movies on our list. This one tells the true story of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, a single female who hikes over 1,000 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail to heal from personal loss and find herself.
2. Happiness for Beginners (2021)
Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones. A super cute romantic comedy-drama where a woman sets out on a solo hiking trip along the Pacific Crest Trail after a breakup, encountering unexpected challenges and new connections along the way. Look for this on Netflix.
3. Into the Wild (2007)
Starring Emile Hirsch. 8.1 stars on IMDB. Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gives up his possessions and sets out on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking meaning and adventure.
4. A Walk in the Woods (2015)
Starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. Based on the 1998 memoir by Bill Bryson. This comedy-drama follows two old friends who attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, encountering both humorous and challenging moments along the way. I enjoyed this one because a few scenes were filmed in a park near our home. It was fun to see the stream and woods I would take my kids to play in on the screen with these main characters.
5. The Way (2010)
Starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. 7.3 stars on IMDB. After his son dies while hiking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, a grieving father decides to complete the journey himself, meeting fellow travelers and discovering new perspectives along the way.
6. 127 Hours (2010)
Starring James Franco. 7.5 stars on IMBD as well as a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on an amazingly true story, this film follows Aron Ralston, who becomes trapped in a remote canyon while hiking alone and must summon the courage to survive. This movie earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor and Best Picture.
7. Tracks (2013)
Starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver. 7.1 stars on IMDB. This movie tells the true story of Robyn Davidson, who embarks on a solo trek across the Australian outback with her dog and four camels.
8. The Way Back (2010)
Starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, and Colin Farrell. 7.3 stars on IMDB. Inspired by true events, this film follows a group of prisoners who escape from a Siberian Gulag and embark on a grueling journey across thousands of miles to freedom.
9. Everest (2015)
Starring Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, and Jake Gyllenhaal. 7.1 stars on IMDB. Based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, this film chronicles the harrowing experiences of climbers caught in a deadly blizzard near the summit. If you haven’t read the book “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mr. Everest Disaster” by Jon Krakauer, I highly recommend this read! It offers a very real glimpse into the events depicted in this movie.
10. Touching the Void (2003)
Documentary-drama featuring reenactments. 8 stars on IMDB and 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on the true story of two climbers who face a life-threatening situation in the Peruvian Andes and must make desperate decisions to survive.
11. North Face (2008)
Starring Benno Fürmann and Florian Lukas. 7.4 stars on IMDB. Set in 1936, this German film depicts the perilous attempt to climb the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps.
12. The Loneliest Planet (2011)
Starring Gael García Bernal and Hani Furstenberg. A couple’s relationship is tested during a backpacking trip in the Caucasus Mountains when an unexpected event changes everything.
13. Mile… Mile & a Half (2013)
7.3 stars on IMDB. A documentary film featuring hikers who trek the John Muir Trail in California. A 219 mile journey in 25 days, capturing stunning landscapes and personal reflections along the way.
14. Mountain (2017)
Narrated by Willem Dafoe. 7.2 stars on IMDB. An adventure documentary exploring humanity’s fascination with mountains and the risks and rewards of high-altitude climbing, featuring breathtaking footage from around the world.
15. The Summit (2012)
Documentary recounting the deadliest day on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, where multiple climbers lost their lives during a single expedition.
16. The Climb (2019)
Starring Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin. A comedy-drama about the complicated friendship between two men, tested during a challenging cycling and hiking trip in the French Alps.
17. Wildlike (2014)
Starring Ella Purnell and Brian Geraghty. A runaway teen girl become lost in the Alaskan wilderness. She crosses paths with an older man who is setting out on a solo backpacking trip.
18. The Revenant (2015)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. 8 stars on IMDB. Based on true events, this epic survival tale follows frontiersman Hugh Glass as he navigates the treacherous wilderness and seeks revenge after being left for dead by his companions. This movie received the most nominations of any film in its year, with twelve Academy Award nominations.
19. Walking Out (2017)
Starring Matt Bomer and Josh Wiggins. A father-son hunting trip in the Montana wilderness turns into a fight for survival against the elements and dangerous wildlife.
20. The Ritual (2017)
Starring Rafe Spall and Arsher Ali. A horror film where a group of friends becomes lost in a Scandinavian forest while on a hiking trip, encountering eerie phenomena and a malevolent presence.
21. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Starring Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams and Joshua Leonard. Another to add to the list of hiking horror movies. This one was one of the first, if not THE first to introduce us to the “found footage” style of movie making. This one is about three film students who hike into a forest in Maryland to film a documentary about a local ghostly legend. Although the IMDB rating is a average 6.5, I say this movie still holds up today!
22. Gerry (2002)
Starring Casey Affleck and Matt Damon. Two friends venture into the desert for a hiking trip but find themselves lost and must confront their inner demons and mortality.
23. Deliverance (1972)
Starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds. 7.7 stars on IMDB. While primarily a canoeing trip, the film includes a memorable hiking scene in the Appalachian Mountains, where the characters face off against hostile locals.
24. Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010)
Documentary by Werner Herzog. 7.7 stars on IMDB. This film follows the lives of trappers living in the Siberian wilderness, showcasing their self-sufficient lifestyle and deep connection to the natural world.
25. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. 7.7 stars on IMDB. Set during the French and Indian War, this adventure film follows a frontier scout and his companions as they navigate the rugged wilderness and encounter conflicts between British soldiers, colonial militias, and Native American tribes.
26. Appalachian Impressions (2004)
Documentary that follows the stories and experiences of the 2,173 mile Appalachian Trail hike.
27. Do More With Less
A documentary described as a conversation involving over 100 hikers as they travel the Pacific Crest Trail. They provide tips and stories of their experiences. The footage is absolutely beautiful as well. This one you will find online using the link below.
https://www.domorewithlessfilm.com
28. A Perfect Day (2015)
Starring Benicio Del Toro and Tim Robbins. Aid workers in a war-torn region navigate through rugged terrain on foot to reach a remote village, facing obstacles and moral dilemmas along the way.
29. Southbounders (2005)
Starring Amy Cale Peterson and Scott Speiser. A young woman sets out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, encountering diverse characters and confronting her own fears and limitations.
30. Barbarian Utopia: Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (2019)
After graduating college a man takes to the AT and documents his experience. 7 star rating on IMDB.
31. Tell it on the Mountain (2013)
A documentary following hikers on the 2,663 mile walk on along the Pacific Crest Trail. Described on IMBD as an “insider’s view” of living on the trail that extends from the U.S. Mexico boarder to Canada. This film has 8.6 stars on IMDB.
32. Alone in the Wilderness (2004)
Documentary featuring Dick Proenneke. 8.6 stars on IMDB. This film follows Proenneke as he builds a cabin and lives alone in the Alaskan wilderness, documenting his daily struggles and triumphs amidst the beauty of nature.
33. The Kings of Summer (2013)
Starring Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso. 7.1 stars on IMBD. Three teenage boys escape the confines of suburbia to build a makeshift home in the woods and live off the land, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and friendship.
THAT’S A WRAP
We hope you enjoyed our list of hiking movies and that it inspires you to lace up your boots and hit the trail or simply enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your couch.
These films showcase not just the beauty of nature, but also the strength of the human spirit, the thrill of adventure, and the bonds of friendship and self-discovery. Whether you’re drawn to the spectacular scenery, the intense close calls, or the heartwarming stories, there’s something here for everyone.
Watching these movies on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime is a great way to experience the excitement and challenges of hiking without leaving your home. So next time you’re looking for a movie night with a twist of adventure, remember this list and get ready to be inspired by the incredible journeys and breathtaking landscapes these films have to offer. Happy watching, and maybe someday, happy hiking!
Do you have some movies to add to the list? Share them in the comments below!