6 Best Avalanche and Mountain Rescue Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 28, 2026

The treacherous, snow-covered peaks of the world’s great mountains have long tested cinematic heroes against both nature’s fury and their own limits. In Touching the Void (2003): A documentary recounts two climbers’ harrowing survival after a catastrophic fall in the Andes. Another standout is Force Majeure (2014): A family’s ski vacation is upended after the father’s instinctive reaction to an avalanche exposes cracks in their marriage.

Force Majeure (2014)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A family's ski vacation is upended after the father's instinctive reaction to an avalanche exposes cracks in their marriage.

Directed by Ruben Östlund · 1h 59m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Everest (2015)

TMDB ★ 7.1

Climbing expeditions on Mount Everest are caught in a catastrophic storm with devastating consequences.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur · 2h 01m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: History Vault · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Touching the Void (2003)

TMDB ★ 8.1

A documentary recounts two climbers' harrowing survival after a catastrophic fall in the Andes.

Directed by Kevin Macdonald · 1h 46m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Vertical Limit (2000)

TMDB ★ 5.8

A climber must rescue his sister and her team trapped on K2 after a deadly avalanche.

Directed by Martin Campbell · 2h 04m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Philo, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Cliffhanger (1993)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A mountain rescuer is forced to help criminals recover money lost in the Rockies after a heist gone wrong.

Directed by Renny Harlin · 1h 53m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Eiger Sanction (1975)

TMDB ★ 6.3

A retired assassin is lured back for one final mission during a dangerous mountain climbing expedition.

Directed by Clint Eastwood · 2h 09m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Avalanche and Mountain Rescue Movies

Force Majeure (2014)

Everest (2015)

Touching the Void (2003)

Vertical Limit (2000)

Cliffhanger (1993)

The Eiger Sanction (1975)

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