127 Hours

Play trailer

127 Hours

R

2011

1h 33m

Biography

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

237 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

As gut-wrenching as it is inspirational, 127 Hours unites one of Danny Boyle's most beautifully exuberant directorial efforts with a terrific performance from James Franco.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/30/2018

This may be a great film, and an ingenious film, but only if you've the stomach for it.

Go to Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

05/15/2018

Any film that relies on one actor to carry the movie demands a lot of its leading man but James Franco applies a youthful exuberance that makes him so watchable it's all viewers could do not to blink.

Go to Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/11/2017

B

Franco... delivers a solid performance as the strapping climber who shows his vulnerability when he reflects back on his life--the mistakes he's made and the moments he may miss.

Go to Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 11

5/5

Both tremendously anxiety-inducing and life-affirming over the course of its run time.

Go to Full Review

Danilo Castro

Next Best Picture

05/27/2024

8/10

Survival films are generally difficult to watch, given their dire subject matters, and there times when hitting standard dramatic beats inhibits the film’s creative flow, but “127 Hours” is about as entertaining and exciting as the genre gets.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/03/2023

4/4

In the wrong hands, the story could have easily been toned down to movie-of-the-week quality banality. But the presentation is pure cinema, designed to create the illusion of motion and progress in otherwise stationary circumstances.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Atilla T

@Treviewd1nce Feb 27

After reading Ralston's story; I tried to get approval to hire him as a motivational speaker for a company function but the corporate comedians won out. I'm sure movie is great just don't have the stomach to watch what I read.

See more

Nathan T

@FieryRavens Jan 14

If I were stranded on a deserted island and could only choose five movies to watch for as long as I am there, this would be one of the movies I would choose.

See more

Johannes S

@RT64416087 Oct 19

The runtime of about 95 minutes is perfectly adequate! God the cutting scene is hard to watch!

See more

Pat K

@PatKast Oct 4

I found the movie captivating, intense, kinda scary (I hike) and overall pretty well done. There are lessons to be learned here... like don't hike alone, especially hidden canyons, slot canyons, caves, secret trails, or secluded places. Once again, bring plenty of water & why is the Gatorade bottle sitting in his vehicle? I liked the movie but feel horrible about him losing his arm. I'm not sure I could cut off my own arm or limb.

See more

Sebastian D

@de_Baviera Sep 21

The film’s narrow focus can feel constraining, and pacing sags in repetitive moments. Some flashbacks feel tacked on, breaking the tension, and the graphic intensity may alienate casual viewers. It lacks the narrative depth of Boyle’s masterpieces like Slumdog Millionaire. Still, Franco’s brilliance and the film’s raw energy make it a compelling, if not flawless, character study. 127 Hours is a solid pick for fans of gritty, true-life dramas, delivering more heart than polish.

See more

Tyler S

@tylerking24 Sep 8

Just a solid yet tragic true story on Aron Ralston. I knew a little about his story before watching this, and I was a little worried how things would go since it was just going to be someone stuck in a cave for a long period. But I'd say they filled the time well and gave us a solid adaptation of the real event.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Danny Boyle

Director

James Franco

Aron Ralston

Amber Tamblyn

Megan

Kate Mara

Kristi

Clémence Poésy

Rana

Treat Williams

Aron's Dad

Howl

64%

58%

Howl

Watchlist

Conviction

67%

71%

Conviction

Watchlist

Machine Gun Preacher

28%

62%

Machine Gun Preacher

Watchlist

Bronson

75%

74%

Bronson

Watchlist

The Fighter

91%

89%

The Fighter

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Fighter

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

James Franco’s 10 Best Movies

5 Survival Movies You Need to See Before The 33

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: 127 Hours and Love and Other Drugs

View more photos

Synopsis

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson
Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Darlow Smithson Productions, Cloud Eight
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.3M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now