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Movie · Documentary, Sports · 2018 · PG-13

Free Solo: parents' guide

11+our pick

Best for ages 11 and up. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

An awe-inspiring documentary that most families with tweens can watch together, as long as heights and talk of death will not upset your child. It follows Alex Honnold as he prepares for and attempts to climb Yosemite's El Capitan with no ropes. There is no violence, but the climbing is nerve-racking, Alex is hurt in practice falls, and the film recalls other climbers who died. Language is the main issue: one f-word plus 's--t,' 'a--hole' and 'goddamn.' Romance is limited to Alex and his girlfriend sharing a bed and a home. We suggest 11.

What's in it

Violence

Mild

No violence. Real climbing falls cause injuries, including a sprained ankle and a hurt back, and photos and footage recall climbers who died. Nothing graphic is shown.

Language

Moderate

One f-word, plus 's--t,' 'a--hole' and 'goddamn,' along with milder words like 'freakin'' and 'oh my God.' That brief strong language is the reason for the PG-13.

Sex and nudity

Mild

Alex and his girlfriend hug, share a bed and shop for a house to move into together. Nothing sexual is shown. Shirtless men appear while climbing.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

None

No drinking or drug use. Smoking comes up only in passing conversation.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

The ropeless climb is filmed from dizzying angles, and one slip would be fatal, which can be very stressful to watch. Alex talks calmly about dying, and the film remembers climbers who fell to their deaths.

Worth talking about

Alex says climbing without ropes makes him feel fully alive, while the people who love him fear losing him. How should someone weigh a personal passion against the worry it causes others?

Where to stream →

On our lists

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, movieguide.org, the MPA. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.