As a society, humans have always found new and exciting ways to get themselves killed. While we could easily spend our days relaxing around the house and reading articles on our favorite movie news websites, specific individuals feel that they need to put themselves in harm's way to feel truly alive. These brave activities range from bungee jumping, skydiving, extreme sports, and mountain climbing.From the very first time a person laid their eyes on a rocky surface that stretches into the heavens and said 'I can climb that', mountain climbing has become a hobby. Whether it is scaling a harsh surface on a craggy cliff side or trekking a mountain covered in snow, humans have done it, and some have even survived. Of course, the movie industry had to get in on the adventurous ordeal, and plenty of fictional films and documentaries about the deadly pastime have been created. The end result is some of the best thriller movies of all time, with some fictional, and some not.

Updated on April 10, 2023, by Ty Weinert:

With humans still just as obsessed with finding new ways to risk their lives in the name of extreme sports, there is no shortage of quality mountain climbing movies and documentaries. Even celebrities are getting in on the craze with Jason Mamoa hosting the reality show The Climb, which recently wrapped up its search for the world's best amateur climber.

14 'The Ledge' (2022)

When best friends Kelly and Sophie decide to go rock climbing, their adventure holiday is interrupted by the arrival of four strange men. After the newcomers murder Sophie, and Kelly captures it on camera, the killers pursue her up the cliff, resulting in Kelly being forced to climb for her life as the killers try to silence her.

While the plot is nothing new for the thriller genre, The Ledge manages to feel unique by adding the extra tension of the climbing aspect. It calls to mind single-location thrillers like Phone Booth and Buried as both the threat of Kelly's pursuers and the harsh surface of the earth below beckon to end her life.Watch on Hulu

13 'High Lane' (2009)

Someone once had the genius thought "what if Wrong Turn was a movie about mountain climbers?" and thus High Lane was born. When a group of youths decides to spice up their vacation by scaling a mountain trail, they soon find themselves hunted by a psychopath who calls the area home.

Hailing from France, High Lane avoids the extreme violence common in the New French Extremity Movement to instead resemble an old-school slasher movie. Along with Wrong Turn, it calls to mind The Hills Have Eyes as the teens are each picked off one by one in their unfamiliar and unforgiving environment, where falling off a cliff suddenly does not seem so bad.

12 'Vertical Limit' (2000)

One of the most popular movies about mountain climbing, Vertical Limit was the most notable film in the genre for years. When a team of climbers becomes trapped on K2, a small rescue crew is sent up to save them. Among the rescuers is Peter (Chris O'Donnell), whose sister Annie (Robin Tunney) is one of the trapped climbers.

Also starring Bill Paxton and Scott Glenn, Vertical Limit is more interested in adrenaline-fueled thrills than it is in realism. As the six-person crew makes their way up the mountain they face a multitude of deadly situations, creating a tense, but entertaining atmosphere as the climbers are killed off one by one.Watch on AMC+

11 'K2' (1991)

Loosely based on the first two American climbers to summit the legendary mountain, K2 stars Michael Biehn and Matt Craven as best friends and avid mountain climbers. Learning of an expedition to scale K2, the two men manage to talk themselves onto the team, but soon discover their partners are less than capable.

While the movie does not bother to ask any philosophical questions about why people would willingly put themselves in extreme danger, K2 is still an enjoyable adventure movie. Both Biehn and Craven make for likable leads as they struggle to survive the frigid conditions, with each new step bringing them closer to death.

10 'A Lonely Place to Die' (2011)

While a group of mountaineers is climbing in the Scottish Highlands, they discover a large box hidden in the ground. Shocked to discover the container holds a young girl, the friends are pursued by deadly mercenaries as they attempt to get the child to safety, all while trying to figure out her identity.

A Lonely Place to Die is a great thriller full of plenty of twists and turns as the movie's core mystery is gradually revealed. As the mountaineers try to survive, the film also shifts perspective to a small crew of mercenaries, exploring different sides of the conflict which helps to flesh out both the world and the story of this underrated thriller.Watch on Tubi

9 'Fall' (2022)

Okay, so the mountain is only at the beginning of the movie, but Fall is still one of the most high-profile climbing movies in years. Struggling with the death of her fiancée, former climber Becky is invited by her thrill-seeking best friend Hunter to climb a 2000-foot abandoned radio tower in the middle of nowhere.

As they reach the top, the two women realize they are trapped and desperately scramble for a way to survive. Fall is a tense and twisty thriller movie where escape seems impossible with every passing second. The movie is anchored by the performances of Grace Caroline Currey and Virginia Gardner and both actors imbue enough life into their characters to keep the audience invested.Watch on Starz

8 'Cliffhanger' (1993)

Having already fought the Vietnam army and Mr. T, Sylvester Stallone decided his next opponent was going to be a mountain. Cliffhanger stars Sly as Gabe Walker, a ranger haunted by a failed rescue attempt. When a gang of criminals takes hostages on his mountain, he is finally offered a chance at redemption.

While the movie draws comparisons to the rest of Stallone's "action hero saves the day" filmography, its mountain setting adds extra tension to proceedings while offering some beautiful cinematography. Cliffhanger is one of the definitive rock-climbing movies, and remains one of Stallone's best movies.Watch on Paramount+

7 'Everest' (2015)

Based on the real-life 1996 Mount Everest disaster that claimed the lives of eight climbers, Everest is a Hollywood adaptation of the events. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke as the two leaders of the expedition, the movie follows both men and their companions as they attempt to scale the frozen mountain.

There has been some debate about if Everest is faithful to the true story, and if it embellishes certain events to serve the film's narrative. Removing the film's basis in reality out of the equation, Everest is still an enjoyable movie about humans being at Mother Nature's mercy. Prepare some warm snacks and a sweater.

6 'North Face' (2008)

Based on the 1936 attempt to scale the Eiger, North Face follows two German climbers as they take part in a competition to reach the top of one of the world's deadliest summits. Joining the Germans is an Austrian team, and as the rivals race to be the first ones there, the deadly conditions may force them to work together to survive.

North Face is a reminder that even though we are almost a century removed from these true events, people are still using mountain climbing as a way to push themselves beyond human limits. Whichever way you feel about it, the movie is a representation of how far one will go to prove themselves, even if costs them their life.Watch on Tubi

5 '127 Hours' (2010)

One of the best survival movies based on a true story, 127 Hours follows Aron Ralston (James Franco) as he goes on a solo hiking trip in an isolated canyon. When an accident causes the experienced mountain climber to have his arm pinned underneath a large boulder, Ralston desperately tries to escape his predicament with seemingly no hope of rescue.

Less of an examination of the wild highs of mountain climbing and more of a study of the incredible will to live of those that undertake it, 127 Hours showcases the unyielding ability of the human spirit. Its inspirational story is bolstered by the assured direction of Danny Boyle and Franco, who delivers the best performance of his career.

4 'Meru' (2015)

A documentary centered around three climbers and their quest to conquer the Meru Peak in the Himalayas, Meru follows both their unsuccessful attempt in 2008 and their successful climb in 2011. In between, it follows each of the men's struggles with self-doubt, obsession, and traumatic injury.

Meru contains all the thrills and drama one would expect from a fictional take on such a journey, but these elements are heightened by its grounding in reality. The bond and belief that the three climbers share is as unbeatable as the mountain they tackle, and their unwavering faith in each other and their abilities will make you want to run out and climb the nearest mountain. Well, maybe just a tree instead.Watch on Prime Video

3 'Touching the Void' (2003)

Based on the real-life expedition by Joe Simpson and David Yates to be the first to conquer the heights of the Siula Grande. Along with re-enacting the hazardous journey, Touching the Void also features interviews with Simpson and Yates as they recount their near-fatal quest that saw Simpson trek back on a badly broken leg.

Hailed as one of the greatest documentaries of all time, Touching the Void is a raw and honest look at the dangers of extreme sports and the fine line between life and death. The addition of the well-acted dramatizations makes Touching the Void more digestible for those who are not fans of documentaries, while the interspersed interviews add vital context to proceedings.Watch on Tubi

2 'The Dawn Wall' (2017)

Struggling with personal tragedy and trauma, Tommy Caldwell and his climbing partner Kevin Jorgesen set out to conquer the Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park. After six years of planning the pair finally begin their ascent of the 3,000-foot rock face as the world watches on to see how far the men will go for their goal.

The Dawn Wall does a great job of showcasing who Caldwell is and what drives him, as his dream shifts between admirable dedication and worrying obsessiveness. Like all good documentaries about mountain climbing, The Dawn Wall is as much about the climbers themselves as it is the daunting tasks they undertake.Watch on Tubi

1 'Free Solo' (2018)

A documentary about Alex Honnold's attempt to be the first person to solo climb a famous 900-meter rock face in Yosemite National Park, Free Solo is an extraordinary showcase of the human spirit. As well as showing the legendary climb, the movie also focuses on Alex and his friends and family in the months leading up to the event.

There are plenty of documentaries about extraordinary sporting achievements, but Free Solo is one of the best. While most viewers will find it difficult to connect with Honnold's desire to accomplish a task that most would consider suicide, his passion for achieving this one goal is something that everyone can relate to.Watch on Disney+ NEXT: Movies Like 'Fall' That Aren't for Acrophobes