Outdoor movies got off to an exceptional early start听in 2019 when Free Solo, chronicling Alex Honnold鈥檚 historic ropeless听climb of El Capitan, won an Academy Award for best documentary. We were just as obsessed with that film as anyone else (well, actually,听maybe a little more), but that didn鈥檛 stop us from devouring other great films that followed. From documentaries to an indie adventure romance听to a stop-motion animation film, here are our reviews of the best outdoor movies of the passing听year.
鈥楩ind Me鈥
This is the indie adventure film听we didn鈥檛 know we needed. It鈥檚 a low-budget jaunt, with an encouraging message for anyone intimidated by getting outdoors.
鈥楢辩耻补谤别濒补鈥
Acclaimed Russian director Victor Kossakovsky鈥檚 abstract film听tries to convey the urgency of climate change without a cast or narration. It鈥檚 stunningly beautiful and appropriately devastating.
鈥楢ny One of Us鈥
Professional听mountain biker Paul Basagoitia鈥s documentary听about the spinal-cord injury he sustained at Red Bull Rampage struck our features editor, Gloria Liu, as moving and important鈥攅ven before her partner experienced a similar听life-altering accident.
鈥楾he Peanut Butter Falcon鈥
The North Carolina鈥揵ased buddy adventure brings blue-collar fishing culture听to the big screen.
鈥楳issing Link鈥
In a听stop-motion animated feature, Chris Butler adds a contemporary twist to the old-fashioned tale of Bigfoot.
鈥楾he River and the Wall鈥
This film听aims to show what Trump鈥檚 border wall would destroy. It chronicles an intense journey down the Rio Grande, bearing witness to the ecosystems and livelihoods along the U.S.-Mexico border.听
鈥楾he Human Element鈥
James Balog鈥檚听newest documentary听hopes to show the human side of climate change, bridging a deep political and cultural gap by elevating the stories of the people most affected by it.
鈥楢迟迟濒补鈥
This documentary on PBS鈥檚 Independent Lens听chronicles the incredible life of George Attla鈥攁n icon of the dogsled world who dominated the sport while preserving a dying tradition.
鈥楳补颈诲别苍鈥
Watch the first all-female sailing team finish the Whitbread Round the World Race in this riveting documentary. (Plus, we talked with the crew鈥檚听skipper, Tracy Edwards, about the historic feat.)