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Entertainment • Documentary

Free Solo

Free Solo is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Free Solo is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin that follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to become the first person to free solo the El Capitan route in Yosemite National Park without ropes or safety gear. The film won Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards and was released theatrically in the United States in September 2018.

Premise

The film documents Alex Honnold’s 2017 free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Free solo climbing means climbing without ropes or other protective climbing equipment. The film combines the climbing sequence with interviews and footage showing the preparation behind the ascent.

Production

Free Solo was directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, both of whom have backgrounds in documentary filmmaking and climbing-related work. National Geographic Documentary Films produced the film. The production had to capture the climb without interfering with Honnold’s performance.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2018 and was released in U.S. theatres on September 28, 2018. It was widely praised by critics and went on to win major awards, including the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The film’s worldwide box office gross exceeded US$28 million.

Legacy

Free Solo became one of the best-known modern climbing documentaries and brought broad public attention to free solo climbing. Its commercial success was notable for a documentary, with worldwide earnings above US$28 million. The film was also screened and distributed in Canada, contributing to its reach with Canadian documentary audiences and climbing enthusiasts.

Key facts

  • The film documents Alex Honnold’s 2017 free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
  • Free solo climbing means climbing without ropes or other protective climbing equipment.
  • National Geographic Documentary Films produced and released the film.
  • It received strong critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
  • The film’s worldwide box office gross exceeded US$28 million.
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Canadian context

The film was screened and distributed in Canada, contributing to its reach with Canadian documentary audiences and climbing enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions

What is Free Solo about?
It is a documentary about climber Alex Honnold’s attempt to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes or safety gear.
Who directed Free Solo?
The film was directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.
When was Free Solo released?
It was released in the United States on September 28, 2018.
Did Free Solo win any awards?
Yes. It won Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
What does free solo mean?
In climbing, free solo means climbing without ropes or other protective climbing equipment.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Solo
    Supports: Basic film details, release date, box office, awards, and synopsis.
  2. National Geographic Documentary Films — https://films.nationalgeographic.com/free-solo
    Supports: Official description, directors, subject, and premise.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81027476
    Supports: Runtime/format listing and synopsis of the documentary.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wjmIFlnNo
    Supports: Explanation of free solo climbing and filming context.