Cliffhanger’s Mountain Rescue Turns Deadly as Netflix Officially Adds Sylvester Stallone’s Explosive Survival Thriller
Cliffhanger arrives on Netflix
It made $255 million worldwide on a reported production budget of $65 million. The film became one of Stallone’s best-known action roles.
A rescue mission turns deadly
Stallone plays Gabe Walker, a member of Rocky Mountain Rescue sent to find five climbers lost in icy mountains. The distress call is a setup by international terrorist Eric Qualen, played by John Lithgow.
Walker faces Qualen amid freezing conditions, dangerous heights and heavy weaponry. The lives of Walker and his loved ones are at stake as he tries to outsmart the attackers.
Cast and future plans
The cast also includes Michael Rooker as Hal Tucker, Janine Turner as Jessie Deighan, Rex Linn as Richard Travers, Caroline Goodall as Kristel, Leon as Kynette and Craig Fairbrass as Delmar. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 67% critics’ score and a 53% audience score.
A reboot starring Lily James and Pierce Brosnan is scheduled for release in 2027, with Jaume Collet-Serra directing. The project was first developed as a sequel, but Stallone left production and director Ric Roman Waugh departed; a sequel was announced as in development in September 2025.
Key points
- Cliffhanger joined Netflix in the United States on November 1.
- The 1993 film earned $255 million worldwide against a reported $65 million budget.
- Stallone plays mountain rescuer Gabe Walker, whose mission is exposed as a trap.
- A reboot featuring Lily James and Pierce Brosnan is scheduled for 2027.