Apple TV’s latest adventure-thriller has climbed to unprecedented acclaim.
The streamer recently debuted a biographical drama titled Tenzing, featuring Tom Hiddleston (best known from the Marvel Cinematic Universe), Genden Phuntsok, and Willem Dafoe. The film dramatizes the daring 1953 effort to reach Mount Everest’s summit, focusing on Sherpa Norgay’s leadership alongside climbers from Britain and New Zealand. Even before its wide release, early reviews were overwhelmingly favorable: critics placed the film at an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the most lauded movies about Everest and giving Hiddleston his highest-rated critical result in 16 years.
Following a strong festival debut at Telluride and a stream of largely positive critiques—with only a single negative review noted—viewers have begun to tune in now that the film is available to stream. On Rotten Tomatoes, Tenzing holds a 95% audience score based on more than 50 user ratings, signaling broad viewer approval. That audience reaction also sets new personal records: for Hiddleston, Tenzing edges past his previous top viewer-rated title, Avengers: Infinity War (which had a 92% audience score), while for Dafoe the film ranks among his top-rated projects as well.
Tom Hiddleston — five top-rated films (Rotten Tomatoes critics / audience)
– Tenzing (2026) — 98% critics / 95% audience
– Archipelago (2010) — 96% critics / 60% audience
– Thor: Ragnarok (2017) — 93% critics / 87% audience
– Midnight in Paris (2011) — 93% critics / 83% audience
– Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) — 91% critics / 91% audience
Tenzing’s critical success is rooted in its tonal and narrative choices. Rather than centering the story on wealthy climbing clients or treating the ascent as a spectacle alone, the film redirects attention to the Sherpa figures who put their lives on the line to lead expeditions in lethal conditions. From the viewpoint of Tenzing Norgay, the movie explores both the political and social obstacles he faced and the deeper, spiritual relationship he maintained with the mountain—an emotional throughline that gives the story its uplift.
Much of the film’s emotional force comes from Genden Phuntsok’s committed, expressive portrayal of Tenzing, which balances determination with vulnerability. The supporting ensemble complements him well, and Hiddleston takes a more restrained approach as Sir Edmund Hillary—his quieter performance creates a thoughtful chemistry with Phuntsok’s lead, allowing the film to emphasize character and empathy over grandstanding.
Director Jennifer Peedom’s background helps explain the movie’s sensitivity and visual strength. Although Tenzing marks her first foray into narrative filmmaking, Peedom is an established documentarian with a specialty in high-altitude subjects. Her previous nonfiction work—most notably Sherpa (2015) and Mountain (2017)—earned praise for presenting the perilous grandeur of mountaineering with nuance and beauty. Critics have singled out Tenzing for similarly powerful imagery, citing the way the film captures Everest’s breathtaking but brutal landscapes.
A handful of stills circulating from the film show intimate moments and expedition scenes—Tenzing smiling while handed a note, Hiddleston seated in quiet contemplation, members of the climbing party bundled in snowsuits, and Dafoe in a reflective pose—helping illustrate the movie’s human scale against its vast backdrop.
Early audience interest translated quickly into viewing metrics. On its first day of streaming, Tenzing surged up Apple TV’s charts: in the U.S. it climbed to No. 4 overall on the platform, trailing shows such as Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, and Dark Matter, while claiming the No. 1 spot among movies worldwide. That strong debut, coupled with the positive buzz, suggests word-of-mouth could continue to drive viewers to the film well in advance of Hiddleston’s return as Loki in the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday.
The supporting cast includes Caitríona Balfe, Thinley Lhamo, Tenzin Dalha, Tenzin Jigmey, and Samdrup Dorje Lama. Willem Dafoe reunites with Peedom here after previously providing narration for her documentary Mountain. The screenplay was written by Luke Davies. On the production side, Norbu Tenzing—son of Tenzing Norgay—serves as an executive producer, alongside Simon Gillis and David Michôd.
Tenzing is currently available to stream on Apple TV.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
