Netflix Doc Revisits Iconic "Miracle on Ice" Hockey Triumph

New film brings fresh perspective on 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's stunning upset over the Soviet Union.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A new Netflix documentary titled "Miracle: The Boys of '80" is revisiting the iconic "Miracle on Ice" moment from the 1980 Winter Olympics, when the underdog U.S. men's hockey team, made up mostly of amateur and college players, defeated the dominant Soviet squad. The film features never-before-seen footage and fresh interviews with the players to provide a new perspective on the historic upset that has been named the top sports moment of the 20th century.

Why it matters

The "Miracle on Ice" transcended sports and became an important cultural moment in American history, taking place against the backdrop of the Iranian hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The story has been told many times, but this new documentary aims to uncover new details and insights by accessing unseen footage and sparking new reflections from the players.

The details

The documentary's co-directors, Max Gershberg and Jake Rogal, worked closely with the Olympic Channel and the IOC to obtain rare 16mm footage from the 1980 Lake Placid Games that has never been publicly seen before. They also sought fresh reactions and personal stories from the members of the 1980 U.S. hockey team, who have been repeatedly interviewed over the years about the historic upset. Additionally, the film features audio clips and interviews with the late coach Herb Brooks, who passed away in 2003, to bring his influential presence to life.

  • The 1980 Winter Olympics took place in Lake Placid, New York.
  • The U.S. hockey team's stunning victory over the Soviet Union occurred on February 22, 1980.
  • The Netflix documentary "Miracle: The Boys of '80" was released in 2026, ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The players

Herb Brooks

The head coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, who had previously played on the 1964 and 1968 U.S. Olympic teams and five other U.S. National Teams. Brooks was known for his gritty, no-nonsense coaching style.

Al Michaels

The Hall of Fame announcer who delivered the iconic call "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" during the final seconds of the U.S. victory over the Soviet Union. Michaels has gone on to become a prominent voice in multiple sports, including his current role as the play-by-play commentator for Prime Video's NFL coverage.

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What they’re saying

“We were lucky enough to make this in conjunction with the Olympic channel, the IOC. And they allowed us to work with this great treasure trove of never-before-seen footage, this really gritty, beautiful 16-millimeter film of the Lake Placid Games and the hockey tournament. And it allowed us, I think, to animate this iconic event in a new way. The vantage point of the events, the aesthetic of Lake Placid, it's unlike anything that's been out there. So, visually, I think people who watch the documentary will get to see the game itself and the setting in a new way.”

— Max Gershberg, Co-director of "Miracle: The Boys of '80" (TV Squad)

“We wanted to kind of spark something new in them. We wanted to surprise them. So, we worked very hard to find pieces of old footage that they haven't seen. We showed them a lot of footage. One of the thrills for us through production was watching their reaction to these little nuggets, these things that they haven't engaged with before. We tried to frame their stories a little bit more intimately.”

— Max Gershberg, Co-director of "Miracle: The Boys of '80" (TV Squad)

“Well, one of the dimensions that came to light, I think, in a special way, is the dynamics that existed between the players and the famous coach, Herb Brooks. And obviously, Herb passed away more than 20 years ago, but we wanted in this film to bring him to life in a way to really give him presence. And so we use a lot of old audio of his voice. We interview his kids, and they have a bunch of old artifacts that really haven't been out there, notes, playbooks, interesting little keepsakes.”

— Max Gershberg, Co-director of "Miracle: The Boys of '80" (TV Squad)

“I think this still holds such a special place in his heart, and he's such an incredible storyteller that he remembers the vivid details still all these years later, and he recounts them in such wonderful fashion.”

— Max Gershberg, Co-director of "Miracle: The Boys of '80" (TV Squad)

“And regardless of your background or where you were in the country or whether you were a hockey fan or not, this moment really did unify the masses. I think, in a way, that arguably no sports moment in history ever has quite like it.”

— Max Gershberg, Co-director of "Miracle: The Boys of '80" (TV Squad)

What’s next

The Netflix documentary "Miracle: The Boys of '80" is now available for streaming, providing a fresh perspective on the iconic "Miracle on Ice" moment ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The takeaway

The "Miracle on Ice" has transcended sports to become a defining moment in American culture, and this new Netflix documentary aims to uncover new details and insights about the historic upset through never-before-seen footage and fresh reflections from the players. By animating the personal stories and dynamics behind the team's triumph, the film offers a poignant and visually striking reexamination of one of the most celebrated sports moments of the 20th century.