The Walk (2015)
Kernel Score: 76% · 3,345 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: History, Drama, Adventure
Released: 2015-09-30
Runtime: 123 minutes
Is The Walk worth watching?
Worth watching. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays high-wire walker Philippe Petit in a charming telling of his 1974 Twin Towers stunt. The build-up is a bit cute, but the final walk is dizzying and beautifully staged, and it's best seen on the biggest screen possible.
Watch it if you
- like heist-style true stories
- can watch a visually daring finale
- enjoy Zemeckis's technical showmanship
Skip it if you
- are afraid of heights
- want a deep character study
Best for: Big-screen night out
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Walk
- Free with ads: YouTube Free, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
The story of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's attempt to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.
The Walk parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that The Walk is a PG biographical drama about Philippe Petit's death-defying high-wire walk between the Twin Towers.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Involves suspenseful high-altitude tightrope walking with real danger of falling.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Walk
If you liked The Walk, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Man on Wire (2008) — 83%: The documentary telling of the same real-life Twin Towers walk
- Cast Away (2000) — 88%: Zemeckis drama about survival and determination
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Zemeckis's warm, inventive tale of an unlikely life
- Back to the Future (1985) — 95%: Zemeckis at his most inventive and crowd-pleasing
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) — 88%: Adventure about planning, patience and a clever payoff
- Eddie the Eagle (2016) — 79%: Underdog true story about chasing an impossible dream
Director
Cast
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Philippe Petit
- Ben Kingsley as Papa Rudy
- Charlotte Le Bon as Annie Allix
- James Badge Dale as J.P.
- Clément Sibony as Jean-Louis
- César Domboy as Jeff / Jean-François
- Benedict Samuel as David
- Ben Schwartz as Albert
- Steve Valentine as Barry Greenhouse
- Mark Camacho as Guy Tozolli
The Walk FAQ
Is The Walk worth watching?
Worth watching. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays high-wire walker Philippe Petit in a charming telling of his 1974 Twin Towers stunt. The build-up is a bit cute, but the final walk is dizzying and beautifully staged, and it's best seen on the biggest screen possible.
Where can I watch The Walk?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Walk OK for kids?
The Walk is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that The Walk is a PG biographical drama about Philippe Petit's death-defying high-wire walk between the Twin Towers.
What movies are like The Walk?
If you liked The Walk, try Man on Wire, Cast Away, Forrest Gump and Back to the Future.