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Animated drama

The Summit of the Gods (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Summit of the Gods (2021) movie poster

The Summit of the Gods is a 2021 animated drama directed by Patrick Imbert, starring Eric Herson-Macarel as Habu adulte, Lazare Herson-Macarel and Damien Boisseau. It is based on The Summit of the Gods, Volume 1 by Baku Yumemakura and Jiro Taniguchi. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $1.8 million worldwide on a $9.8 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2022. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$1.8M
award nomination
1
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The Summit of the Gods (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Patrick Imbert
Genres
Adventure , Drama , History , Sport
Original language
French
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$9.9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Summit of the Gods About?

The premise of The Summit of the Gods without spoilers, adapted from The Summit of the Gods, Volume 1 by Baku Yumemakura and Jiro Taniguchi. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young journalist's discovery of a legendary camera sparks a dangerous journey to find Habu, a mysterious climber thought to be lost. Drawn into the intense world of mountaineering, Fukamachi uncovers a story of obsession and ambition. He must navigate a treacherous landscape as he pursues the truth about Habu and the allure of the highest peak, where the quest for the impossible has deadly consequences.

The Summit of the Gods Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mountain climbing
  • anime remake of live action
  • based on manga
  • 2d animation
  • mount everest
  • missing
  • mountain
  • survival
  • danger
  • camera
  • life
  • 1920s
+38 more
  • year 1924
  • 1990s
  • year 1993
  • photographer
  • vintage
  • climb
  • climbing
  • stranger
  • non linear
  • nonlinear timeline
  • flashback
  • alpinist
  • alpinism
  • mountain climber
  • katmandu
  • laptop computer
  • magazine
  • cigarette smoking
  • interview
  • rope
  • cutting a rope
  • death
  • walkman
  • audio cassette
  • video cassette
  • vhs
  • vhs tape
  • helicopter
  • rescue
  • letter
  • airplane
  • bridge
  • wooden bridge
  • binoculars
  • grandes jorasses
  • snow
  • rivalry
  • snow adventure
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Cast & crew

The Summit of the Gods Cast & Characters

Eric Herson-Macarel leads the cast as Habu adulte, with Lazare Herson-Macarel as Habu jeune and Damien Boisseau as Fukamachi. Directed by Patrick Imbert; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Patrick Imbert

One more film directed by Patrick Imbert: The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Summit of the Gods Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Summit of the Gods 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

85 /100

The Summit of the Gods Echo Score Breakdown

The Summit of the Gods delivers a compelling animated experience that resonates through its striking visual design and thoughtful narrative. Critics emphasize its insightful meditation on mountaineering and its exceptional 2D artistry, while users highlight the detailed animation and emotional depth. Although the pacing falters in later sections and the dual‑timeline structure can feel convoluted, the film’s strong thematic core and memorable score sustain its impact, resulting in a solid overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with its meticulous 2D animation and beautifully painted mountain vistas. Critics praise the stunning visual scale and the careful production design, while users note the detailed artwork and smooth animation style. The craftsmanship is consistently described as high‑quality and well‑executed, establishing art as a central strength of the movie.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When evaluating character and emotion, reviewers highlight nuanced performances that convey the protagonist’s inner drive and the climbers’ resolve. Both critics and users comment on the film’s ability to evoke empathy and reflect on personal motivations. Although no glaring flaws are mentioned, the emotional resonance is portrayed as solid rather than extraordinary, positioning character work as a notable but not outstanding element.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The story and flow receive mixed assessments; critics acknowledge a compelling premise and a reasonably engaging plot, while noting that the film does not push narrative boundaries. Users mention a strong first half, a slower third act, and a convoluted dual‑timeline structure. Originality and thematic depth are praised, but pacing inconsistencies and plot complexity temper the overall narrative score.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Sensory experience stands out through a lush score by Amine Bouhafa and vivid sound design that complement the visual spectacle. Critics describe the music as gorgeous and the vistas as ecstatically true, enhancing immersion. Users echo this sentiment, emphasizing the striking artwork and atmospheric soundscape. The cohesive audiovisual presentation is consistently lauded as a major achievement of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor is reinforced by the film’s thoughtful meditation on ambition and its memorable visual moments. Critics label it a standout animated work with lasting appeal, and users recommend multiple viewings for its thematic richness and artistic detail. While some pacing issues may reduce immediate replay desire, the overall depth and craftsmanship foster a strong desire to revisit the film.

Plot

The Summit of the Gods Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Summit of the Gods from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1924, British mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine set off on a daring attempt to conquer the formidable Mount Everest, only to vanish without a trace. Fast forward seventy years later, a young Japanese reporter, Makoto Fukamachi, finds himself entwined in the enigma surrounding their disappearance when he encounters a cryptic climber named Habu Joji. Fukamachi’s suspicions ignite as he perceives a camera in Habu’s possession, one that could potentially unveil whether Mallory and Irvine truly achieved the first ascent of the world’s highest peak.

Full summary

The whole story of The Summit of the Gods, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Summit of the Gods Box Office & Budget

The Summit of the Gods grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a $9.8 million budget, 18% of what it cost.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8M

18% of its budget back

International
$1.8M
Budget
$9.9M
Awards

The Summit of the Gods Awards & Nominations

The Summit of the Gods earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Summit of the Gods Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Summit of the Gods.

The Summit of the Gods | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Summit of the Gods?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year did George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempt to climb Mount Everest?

Details

The Summit of the Gods Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “神々の山嶺” and “Kamigami no Itadaki”.

Also known as
  • 神々の山嶺
  • Kamigami no Itadaki
  • เหล่าเทพภูผา
  • La cumbre de los dioses
  • Le sommet des dieux
  • Huipun arvoitus
  • 神之山岭
  • 众神的山峰
  • Вершина богов
  • Viagem ao Topo da Terra
  • 신들의 봉우리
  • Szczyt bogów
+9 more
  • Vrchol nebes
  • La vetta degli dei
  • Gipfel der Götter
  • Dünyanın Zirvesi
  • 神之山嶺
  • Az istenek hegycsúcsa
  • Вершина богів
  • Η Κορυφή των Θεών
  • ‏פסגת האלים

Seen The Summit of the Gods?

FAQ

The Summit of the Gods FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Summit of the Gods, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Summit of the Gods?

The Summit of the Gods runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was The Summit of the Gods released?

The Summit of the Gods was released on November 24, 2021.

Who directed The Summit of the Gods?

The Summit of the Gods was directed by Patrick Imbert.

More films by Patrick Imbert

Who is in the cast of The Summit of the Gods?

The Summit of the Gods stars Eric Herson-Macarel as Habu adulte, Lazare Herson-Macarel as Habu jeune and Damien Boisseau as Fukamachi, among 13 credited actors.

How much did The Summit of the Gods make at the box office?

The Summit of the Gods grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a budget of $9.8 million.

How is The Summit of the Gods rated?

The Summit of the Gods has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Is The Summit of the Gods based on a book?

Yes. The Summit of the Gods is adapted from The Summit of the Gods, Volume 1 by Baku Yumemakura and Jiro Taniguchi.

Was The Summit of the Gods nominated for any awards?

The Summit of the Gods received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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