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Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary, Willem Dafoe as the expedition leader – and at the center of it all, the man who, along with Hillary, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Apple has released the trailer for "Tenzing" and confirmed the release dates. Before the film launches on streaming services, it will have its European premiere in German-speaking countries.
"Tenzing" is among the most prominent films Apple has scheduled for fall release and was already included in the overview of Apple TV releases for fall 2026. Now, the first trailer has been released. According to Apple's announcement accompanying the trailer, the film will be shown in select theaters starting October 9 and will be available worldwide on Apple TV starting October 16.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple has released the trailer for the Everest drama "Tenzing".
- The film will be released worldwide on Apple TV on October 16, 2026, and in selected cinemas a week earlier.
- Genden Phuntsok plays Tenzing Norgay, Tom Hiddleston Edmund Hillary, Willem Dafoe expedition leader John Hunt.
- "Tenzing" will open the Zurich Film Festival with its European premiere on September 24th.
What "Tenzing" is about
The film tells the story of the first ascent of Mount Everest from the perspective of Tenzing Norgay, who reached the summit on May 29, 1953, together with New Zealander Edmund Hillary. Supported by his wife Dawa and expedition secretary Jill Henderson, Tenzing fights to be recognized as a full member of the British expedition – instead of merely serving as its assistant.
Apple focuses on a contrast: For Western mountaineers, Everest is a goal to be conquered, while for Tenzing, "Chomolungma" is a sacred mother goddess. The ascent is therefore determined not only by the mountain itself, but also by origin, class differences, and competing ambitions.
Who is in front of and behind the camera
The film is directed by Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, who has worked in the Himalayas for years and has already made documentaries on the subject, including "Sherpa" and "Mountain." "Tenzing" is her first feature film. The screenplay was written by Oscar-nominated Luke Davies, and the film was produced by, among others, See-Saw Films.
| Role | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Tenzing Norgay | Genden Phuntsok |
| Edmund Hillary | Tom Hiddleston |
| Colonel John Hunt | Willem Dafoe |
| Jill Henderson | Caitríona Balfe |
| Dawa | Thinley Lhamo |
European premiere in Zurich
The first major European screening will take place in Switzerland. According to the Zurich Film Festival, "Tenzing" will open the 22nd edition at the Kongresshaus Zurich on September 24th. Hiddleston, Dafoe, and Peedom will present the film there in person. The festival runs until October 4th.
For viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the streaming launch on October 16th is the reliable date. Apple explicitly states it as the worldwide launch.
An October dominated by the mountains
With "Tenzing," Apple TV is placing a strong emphasis on mountaineering in October. The documentary "The Last First: Winter K2," about the attempt to be the first to summit K2 in winter, will be released on October 2nd. Two weeks later, the feature film "Tenzing" will follow, offering a glimpse into the same theme.
| Title | Kind | Start |
|---|---|---|
| The Last First: Winter K2 | documentation | October 2, 2026 |
| Tenzing | Feature film | October 9, 2026 (selected cinemas), October 16, 2026 (Apple TV) |
The emphasis is noteworthy: the film bears Tenzing's name, not Hillary's, and Apple casts Genden Phuntsok ahead of Hiddleston and Dafoe. Apple himself speaks of a little-known story, and the film is built precisely on that premise: the first ascent is shown from Tenzing's perspective, with Hillary as the second main character.
Is "Tenzing" on your watchlist for October – or does the K2 documentary appeal to you more than the feature film version of the story? Let us know your choice in the comments.
