9 Movies to Inspire Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Watching television and exploring the great outdoors may seem like polar opposite activities. But when injuries or harsh weather conditions keep you inside, media can satisfy your thirst for adventure. Thanks to easily-accessible streaming services like Netflix, you never have to press pause on the spirit of exploration. This winter, instead of binge-watching “The Office” for the third week in a row, opt for a Mother Nature-inspired movie or documentary. These viewing experiences are sure to motivate you to plan a camping trip, climb a mountain or reconnect with the earth in your own unique way.
1. Valley Uprising
Peter Mortimer, Alex Honnold, Peter Sarsgaard
Theme: Rock climbing, camping, slacklining
With groundbreaking documentaries like The Dawn Wall and Free Solo making mainstream news, it feels as though climbing is more popular now than ever before. Valley Uprising takes audiences back to the origins of rock climbing — specifically rock climbing in the Yosemite Valley. Starting with the early traditions at legendary Camp 4 through modern climbers today, this film highlights the progression (and antics) of the sport through three generations of climbers who have pushed the boundaries.
Watch the Valley Uprising trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
2. Planet Earth II
David Attenborough, BBC
Theme: Nature, wilderness
The sequel to its Emmy Award-winning predecessor, Planet Earth II takes a closer look at new biomes and their flora and fauna across the globe. While technically not a “movie,” this high-def series includes 50-minute episodes on islands, mountains, jungles, deserts, grasslands and cities. From monkeys and jaguars to complex ecosystems and picturesque views, Planet Earth II will make you fall in love with Mother Nature all over again, and we predict you'll be planning a new adventure in no time.
Watch the Planet Earth II trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
3. Losing Sight of Shore
Sarah Moshman, Peter Saroufim
Theme: Rowing, water sports, endurance
Losing Sight of Shore focuses on four brave women and their historic journey rowing unassisted across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Australia. Covering 8,000 miles over nine months at sea, the mental transformation is just as fascinating as the physical toll the feat took on their bodies. As the saying goes, don’t try this extreme adventure at home. But after watching this film, you’ll certainly be inspired to take your kayak out for a leisurely afternoon paddle, at the least.
Watch the Losing Sight of Shore trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
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4. Into the Wild
Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt
Theme: Wandering, hiking, survival
Adapted from Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book by director Sean Penn, this is the famous story of Christopher McCandless’ journey from college graduate to homeless vagabond. Dropping all responsibilities for a primitive life in the wild is something all outdoor lovers dream about, and very few actually do. For good reason — Into the Wild is a tragic, precautionary film, but the life lessons learned along the way combined with McCandless’ romantic ideals makes for a fantastic viewing experience.
Watch the Into the Wild trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
5. Stop at Nothing: The Lance Armstrong Story
Lance Armstrong, Michele Ferrari, Alex Holmes
Theme: Cycling, endurance
This is the controversial story of Lance Armstrong, a larger-than-life figure who transcended the sport of cycling. From his yellow Livestrong bracelets to his superhuman efforts on the bike, he single-handedly made cycling “cool” and relevant again in the United States and beyond. While on paper Armstrong was following the rules, behind the scenes he was the ringleader in one of the most sophisticated doping programs in sporting history. This film gives a behind-the-scenes look at the seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor’s scandalous story.
Watch the Stop at Nothing: The Lance Armstrong Story trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
6. Under an Arctic Sky
Chris Burkard, Sam Hammer, Heidar Logi
Theme: Surfing, travel
At just 40 minutes in length, Under an Arctic Sky is the story of six surfers and their quest to ride pristine waves along the northern coast of Iceland. And little do they know, they’ll be faced with some of the harshest conditions Iceland has seen in the past 25 years. With impressive drone shots of the Iceland landscape and raw footage in the frigid water, this surfing adventure film is a must-see for anyone who lives for the adrenaline rush of riding the perfect wave.
Watch the Under an Arctic Sky trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
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7. Meru
Conrad Anker, Renan Ozturk, Jimmy Chin, Jon Krakauer
Theme: Climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering
From the directors of Free Solo, Meru is a documentary that features three of the most elite climbers in the world and their ultra-dangerous attempts to summit a previously unclimbed big wall in the Himalayas. The edge-of-your-seat footage is some of the best we’ve seen, and the way each athlete’s backstory is woven into the storyline of hardship on the wall makes for a compelling film experience. Maybe Meru will inspire you to try climbing a beginner rock wall this year.
Watch the Meru trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
8. Fishpeople
Keith Malloy, Dave Rastovich
Theme: Surfing, watersports, fishing, travel
Calling all ocean lovers, this one’s for you! Fishpeople is a short documentary film that profiles six watermen who define their lives based on their love of the ocean. The detailed look at “fishpeople” was put together by Patagonia-sponsored free surfer Keith Malloy. From surfers and swimmers to fishermen and wartime veterans, this film shows that no matter your background, the sea can be a unifying and healing force in all of our lives.
Watch the Fishpeople trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
9. The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young
Lazarus Lake, Raw Dog
Theme: Trail running, ultramarathon, hiking, endurance
Quirky, endearing and downright heinous, the Barkley Marathons is a secretive ultramarathon race through the mountains of Tennessee known for its unique rules and punishing course. This documentary introduces you to competitors as they attempt to complete the five 20-mile (really 26-mile) loops before the 60-hour cutoff. Due to the terrible conditions and the cumulative 120,000 feet of elevation change, only 15 people have finished the race since 1989.
Watch the Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young trailer, here. Find it on Netflix, here.
