Documentary backdrop image for Free Solo (2018)

2018100 minPG-13documentary

7.9/ 10(1,558 ratings)• TMDB

Sports History

Deep Dive

Free Solo

Rating: 4
Author: Peter Bradshaw

2018100 minPG-13documentary

7.9/ 10(1,558 ratings)• TMDB

Go deeper

3,000 feet of granite make up El Capitan, which Alex Honnold climbed without ropes in June 2017, marking a historic achievement in rock climbing.

“Live beyond fear.”

Genres

Directors

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Watch later

Synopsis

3,000 feet of granite make up El Capitan, which Alex Honnold climbed without ropes in June 2017, marking a historic achievement in rock climbing.

Go deeper

People

View all →

Jimmy Chindirector

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyidirector

Alex Honnoldcast

Tommy Caldwellcast

Jimmy Chincast

Synopsis

Alex Honnold prepares for a historic ascent of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot granite wall in Yosemite National Park. In June 2017, he becomes the first person to free solo climb the Freerider route, a feat that had never been accomplished without ropes or safety gear. The film details Honnold's rigorous training and mental conditioning, including an MRI scan that reveals his unusual response to fear. Personal elements, such as his relationship with girlfriend Sanni McCandless, add depth to his extraordinary achievement.

What Critics Say

A daredevil with a samurai’s intensity, Alex Honnold scales a vertiginous cliff without ropes in this visually staggering documentary.

Peter BradshawRead full article

Deep Dive

Why Watch

See Alex Honnold's historic climb of El Capitan.
Follow the emotional story of Honnold and Sanni McCandless.
Meet climbers like Tommy Caldwell preparing for epic ascents.

Did You Know

Alex Honnold climbed El Capitan's Freerider route in June 2017.
The Freerider route was created by Alexander Huber in 1998.
Honnold's MRI scan showed little activity in his amygdala in response to fear.
The film grossed over $28 million at the worldwide box office.
Free Solo won the People's Choice Award at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

Perfect For

Rock climbing enthusiastsAdventure sports fansDocumentary lovers

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Free Solo?

Free Solo was directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.

What is the name of the climbing route Alex Honnold attempted to free solo?

Alex Honnold attempted to free solo the Freerider route on El Capitan.

When was Free Solo released in the United States?

Free Solo was released in the United States on September 28, 2018.

Awards & Festivals

View all →

Academy Awards

2019 • Award

Telluride Film Festival

2018 • Award

Toronto International Film Festival

2019 • Official selection

DOC NYC

2018 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

52m

Mountain of Storms

2020•52m•★8.0TMDB

Fitzroy, an 11,000-foot mountain in Patagonia, Argentina, challenges climbers Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Dick Dorworth, and Chris Jones on their ascent.

Mountain of Storms

2020

46m

Free Climbing in Greenland

2026•46m

A 1,500-foot rock wall in Greenland presents a daunting challenge for climber Alex Honnold and his team during their expedition.

Free Climbing in Greenland

2026

1h34m

Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold

2024•1h34m

A 4,000-foot rock face in Eastern Greenland awaits its first ascent as Alex Honnold leads a six-week expedition to study climate change impacts.

Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold

2024

45m

Alex Honnold Survives Deadly Ice Falls

2026•45m

In eastern Greenland, Alex Honnold and his climbing team face deadly ice falls while attempting a first-ever traverse of the Renland Icecap.

Alex Honnold Survives Deadly Ice Falls

2026

57m

El Cap Report (2018)

2021•57m

Climbers tackle 30 pitches of hard climbing on El Capitan, sharing personal stories and the challenges they face in Yosemite National Park.

El Cap Report (2018)

2021

49m

Alex Honnold Climbs a Glacier

2026•49m

Alex Honnold and glaciologist Heidi Sevestre attempt to climb the Ingmikortilaq sea wall in Greenland while researching climate change's impact on glaciers.

Alex Honnold Climbs a Glacier

2026

50m

Rotpunkt: Alex Megos and the Advent, the Agony and the Art of the Redpoint

2019•50m

Alex Megos navigates the highs and lows of competitive climbing, aiming to establish himself as the world's top climber through perseverance and skill.

Rotpunkt: Alex Megos and the Advent, the Agony and the Art of the Redpoint

2019

52m

The Future OF Climbing

2026•52m

The evolution of climbing techniques and technology shapes the future of the sport, influencing athletes and enthusiasts worldwide.

The Future OF Climbing

2026

48m

Mountain Climbing Nightmare

2020•48m

Three British climbers face life-threatening conditions on America's highest mountain, forcing one to choose between risking his life to save his friends or staying with them.

Mountain Climbing Nightmare

2020

1h5m

Denis Law, the King

2024•1h5m

Denis Law, a legendary figure at Manchester United, overcame a hereditary sight problem to become one of football's greatest goal-scorers and Britain's most expensive player.

Denis Law, the King

2024

1h34m

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (WWE Legend Documentary)

2022•1h34m

Half a billion people watch WWE every week, as Bret Hart faces a critical decision about his legacy before his final match in Montreal.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (WWE Legend Documentary)

2022

1h8m

Geoffrey Kamworor: The Unknown Runner (Underdog Athelete Documentary)

2020•1h8m

Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor runs his first marathon in 2 hours and 6 minutes, setting the stage for a promising athletic career.

Geoffrey Kamworor: The Unknown Runner (Underdog Athelete Documentary)

2020

Explore Free Solo

Trailer People Awards Deep Dive Topics FAQ Stream

Where else to watch

1h33m

The Alpinist

2021•1h33m•★7.8TMDB

In April 2016, Marc-André Leclerc completed the first winter solo ascent of the Emperor Face of Mount Robson, climbing 2,250 meters of challenging terrain.

The Alpinist

2021

1h41m

The Dawn Wall

2017•1h41m•★8.0TMDB

A 19-day ascent on the 3,000-foot vertical face of El Capitan marks the first-ever big wall free climbing route attempted by Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson.

The Dawn Wall

2017

1h30m

Vertical Frontier

2002•1h30m•★9.0TMDB

The first ascent of El Capitan took 45 days over a year and a half, while modern climbers complete the route in under three hours.

Vertical Frontier

2002

1h30m

26.2 to Life

2023•1h30m•★9.0TMDB

Incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison train for a marathon through the 1000 Mile Club, sharing personal stories of rehabilitation and hope.

26.2 to Life

2023

Browse more like this

46m

Free Climbing in Greenland

2026•46m

A 1,500-foot rock wall in Greenland presents a daunting challenge for climber Alex Honnold and his team during their expedition.

Free Climbing in Greenland

2026

No digital watch option in your country

1h34m

Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold

2024•1h34m

A 4,000-foot rock face in Eastern Greenland awaits its first ascent as Alex Honnold leads a six-week expedition to study climate change impacts.

Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold

2024

No digital watch option in your country

45m

Alex Honnold Survives Deadly Ice Falls

2026•45m

In eastern Greenland, Alex Honnold and his climbing team face deadly ice falls while attempting a first-ever traverse of the Renland Icecap.

Alex Honnold Survives Deadly Ice Falls

2026

No digital watch option in your country

49m

Alex Honnold Climbs a Glacier

2026•49m

Alex Honnold and glaciologist Heidi Sevestre attempt to climb the Ingmikortilaq sea wall in Greenland while researching climate change's impact on glaciers.

Alex Honnold Climbs a Glacier

2026

No digital watch option in your country

59m

Alex Honnold: The Soloist VR

2022•59m•★10.0TMDB

Alex Honnold climbs famous routes in Yosemite National Park, Red Rocks, and the Dolomites, presented in high-resolution 360° 3D.

Alex Honnold: The Soloist VR

2022

45m

Hook or Book

2003•45m•★10.0TMDB

Each year, elite climbers from around the world attempt to scale El Capitan, the largest unbroken mass of granite, in Yosemite National Park.

Hook or Book

2003

1h3m

The Nose Speed Record

2019•1h3m•★10.0TMDB

3,000 feet of vertical rock face on El Capitan serves as the battleground for elite climbers vying for the speed record in a high-stakes competition.

The Nose Speed Record

2019

54m

The Center Of The Universe

2004•54m•★10.0TMDB

35 pitches make up the free-climb route 'El Corazon' on El Capitan, with difficulty levels reaching up to 8a, as German climber Alexander Huber attempts the ascent.

The Center Of The Universe

2004

30m

Extreme Rock

1984•30m•★10.0TMDB

Ron Fawcett climbs steep rock faces in the UK using free climbing techniques in the 1984 film directed by Leo Dickinson, part of the 'Pushing The Limits' series.

Extreme Rock

1984

57m

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force

1997•57m•★10.0TMDB

Five climbers tackle routes rated 5.14b and higher across locations in California, Spain, and Nevada, demonstrating their elite skills in rock climbing.

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force

1997

26m

Sufferfest 2: Desert Alpine

2014•26m•★8.0TMDB

Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright attempt to climb 45 iconic Desert Towers across Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona in challenging conditions.

Sufferfest 2: Desert Alpine

2014

1h23m

Boys From Brazil: The Official BBC History of the Brazilian World Cup Team 1930-1986

1990•1h23m

Four World Cup Finals are featured, including Brazil's victories in 1958 and 1970, along with dramatic matches against Italy in 1982 and France in 1986.

Boys From Brazil: The Official BBC History of the Brazilian World Cup Team 1930-1986

1990