Apple TV has released a ten-minute making-of look at Tenzing, the true story of the first summit of Mount Everest told from the Sherpa climber's side. The film played in select theaters from October 9 and has been streaming on Apple TV since October 16, 2026.
The story
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary became the first people to stand on top of Everest. History has tended to spotlight Hillary; this film centers Norgay instead. It follows his childhood, his life as a husband and father, his earlier years as a guide, and how he persuaded the expedition to take him on as a full climbing member rather than a porter.
Who's in it
Genden Phuntsok plays Tenzing Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary and Willem Dafoe as expedition leader John Hunt. Caitríona Balfe plays Jill Henderson, and Johnny Flynn appears as George Mallory. Tenzin Dalha, Samdrup Dorje Lama, Thinley Lhamo and Tenzin Jigmey round out the cast.
Behind the camera
Jennifer Peedom, who made the acclaimed documentary Sherpa, directs her first narrative feature from a script by Luke Davies. Norgay's eldest son, Norbu Tenzing, is an executive producer. The film premiered at Telluride in September, went on to Toronto, and won the overall audience award at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Rotten Tomatoes counts 98% of reviews as positive.
Released by Apple TV, where the film is now streaming.