From hiking the most challenging mountains to surviving in the wild, we have put together a list of outdoor adventure documentaries that every adventurer should see. These films will take you to the ends of the world with the most compelling adventurers out there.
Get comfy, grab some snacks and get ready to be entertained and inspired for your next journey…
Free Solo
The documentary profiles rock climber Alex Honnold on his quest to become the first person to ever free solo climb El Capitan. The film received numerous accolades, including winning Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Ultimate Survival Everest
A six-part series following a group of 4 climbers that will give you a complete sense of what it is like to climb the mountain. For the first time ever, footage was shot from the perspective of each of the climbers.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Mountain
One of the best, 2017 Australian documentary films featuring breathtaking imagery that explores high peaks around the world while telling the relationship between humans and mountains across time.
Watch on: Netflix
Ed Stafford Left For Dead
This is one of our favourite adventure documentaries that follows explorer, adventurer and survival expert Ed Stafford in his attempt to escape from some of our planet’s most extreme environments. Ed gets only 10 days to reach a rendezvous point and get out alive. This documentary will make you want to explore the outdoors in all its glory!
Watch on: Amazon Prime
The Summit
A film about the 2008 K2 disaster, one of the worst catastrophes in climbing history. Directed by Nick Ryan, it follows the story of the deadliest day on the world’s second highest, but most dangerous mountain, when 11 climbers mysteriously perished.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Meru
A documentary chronicling the first ascent of the “Shark’s Fin” route on mount Meru, one of the most technically complicated and dangerous peaks in the Indian Himalayas. It’s a gripping tale of human resistance, survival and friendship with killer cinematography.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Ed Stafford: First Man Out
Ed Stafford is the first man to walk the length of the Amazon River. First Man Out is a survival series starring explorer Ed Stafford with the best explorers in the world. In this series, Ed went across the most stunning but punishing environments Asia has to offer.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Desert Runners
The film follows a group of non-professional runners that attempt to complete 4 deserts. It’ll take you through some of the world’s most beautiful places and provide you a look into the mindset of endurance athletes and the ways humans deal with heartbreak & achievement.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Iron Cowboy
James Lawrence aka the Iron Cowboy is unstoppable. He completed 50 Ironman distances in 50 consecutive days in all 50 states. An Iron Man distance consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon run.
Watch on: Netflix
The Dawn Wall
This is a documentary about an amazing story about Tommy Caldwell and his climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson, where they attempt an impossible journey. They take on a staggering challenge of free climbing 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan; Yosemite’s most formidable rock formation.
Watch on: Netflix
Have we missed one from the list? DM us on Instagram and share your favourite adventure documentaries with us.
