Apple TV+’s new biographical drama Tenzing has secured a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.. Starring Tom Hiddleston as Sir Edmund Hillary, the film explores the 1953 expedition to Mount Everest and the leadership of Tenzing Norgay.
Surpassing the 93% of 'Thor: Ragnarok'
Tom Hiddleston is preparing to transition from superhero spectacle to historical epic, and the critical reception suggests he is ready for the shift. According to the report, the film’s perfect rating has allowed it to leapfrog Hiddleston's previous high-water marks, such as Thor: Ragnarok, which holds a 93% rating, and Archipelago, which sits at 96%.
This critical success arrives just months before Hiddleston is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Doomsday. By pivoting to a grounded adventure, Hiddleston is demonstrating a dramatic range that has clearly resonated with festival audiences at the Telluride Film Festival and the 2026 TIFF.
Outperforming 'Sherpa' and '14 Peaks' in the climbinng genre
The film is establishing itself as a heavyweight in the competitive Mount Everest subgenre. As the source reports, Tenzing has already overtaken several notable climbing titles, including the 2015 documentary Sherpa (98%) and the 1998 film Everest (93%).
It currently ties with other highly acclaimed titles like Netflix’s Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa and The Summit of the Gods. This new perspective distinguishes the Apple TV+ production by focusing on the spiritual journey and heroism of the titular Sherpa, portraed by Geden Phuntsok, rather than relying solely on a Western lens.
The Hiddleston and Dafoe brotherhood on Everest
The cast provides the emotional weight necessary to ground the high-altitude drama of the 1953 British expedition. Beyond the central focus on Tenzing Norgay, the film features compelling supporting performances from Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe, emphasizing the brotherhood required to survive the mountain.
Critics have specifically noted Geden Phuntsok’s "quiet yet poignant" portrayal of the protagonist.. This focus on the internal, spiritual experience of the climb appears to be the primary driver behind the unanimous acclaim seen during its festival run.
Will the 100% score survive the October release?
Several uncertainties remain regarding the film's long-term critical standing. Because the current 100% rating is based on only 13 reviews, there is a possibility the score will fluctuate as more critics submit their assessments ahead of the official October release.
Furthermore, while the film has received unanimous praise at Telluride and TIFF, it remains to be seen if general audiences will embrace this spiritual portrayal of Tenzing Norgay as much as critics have, or if they will prefer the high-octane tension found in previous Everest films like the 2015 survival thriller Everest, which holds a 73% rating.
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