Forty-six years after the Miracle on Ice, Miracle: The Boys of ’80 lets audiences relive the iconic hockey game that stunned the world at the height of the Cold War, when the 1980 U.S. hockey team defeated the USSR in the Olympic semi-finals.

“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” – Al Michaels, February 22, 1980

Disney told their story before in Miracle. But this time, co-directors Max Gershberg and Jake Rogal go straight to the players themselves, getting firsthand reflections at the scene of their victory in this 101-minute documentary. Present-day interviews are weaved in with never-before-seen 16mm footage.

Unless you’re way too young or have been living in a cave, everyone knows the story of the Miracle on Ice. Team USA had not won the gold medal in hockey since 1960. The Soviet Union had won the last four gold medals going into the February 22, 1980, semifinal matchup and had won gold in five of the last six Olympics. The odds were not in America’s favor. Team USA ultimately came back, scoring two goals in the third period to upset the Russians with a 4–3 win in front of 8,500. Because ABC broadcast the game on a delay and social media wasn’t a thing, most of America didn’t know the results until it aired on TV.

But it’s not just the fact that the Soviets entered the game as favorites. They were playing with professional-level athletes who had experience in the international arena. Herb Brooks was coming off seven years at the helm of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and the U.S. win would transform his career. But anyway, Brooks was coaching a lot of amateur athletes—mostly college players from rivals Minnesota and Boston—with four players having minimal minor league experience. This was the youngest national team at both the Olympics and in Team USA history. How’s that for an upset?

I wasn’t born until a few years after the game took place. My only memories—and they still give me chills—are because of the highlights that air on either ESPN or as part of the NBC Olympics coverage. You don’t have to look hard for those, especially during years when the United States hosts the Games or the Winter Olympics coincides with a milestone anniversary, such as the 30th when Vancouver hosted the Games in 2010. Maybe that’s why I’m not approaching this documentary in the same way that I do other documentaries. I didn’t jot down tons of notes, let alone any at all. I just wanted to live in the moment.

It’s a shame we didn’t get this documentary last year when the Miracle on Ice marked its 45th anniversary and the players went back to Lake Placid. Instead, we’re getting it less than a month before the 46th anniversary. I get the desire to release the film close to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. But if you’re not going to release the film closer to the 45th anniversary, why not wait until the 50th anniversary in 2030? That way, they could have tied the documentary’s release to both a major anniversary and the Winter Olympics. Obviously, nobody is getting any younger, so I get the desire to release it now.

Of Miracles and Men is an earlier documentary, released in 2015 as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. However, that film is focused on telling the Soviet perspective. Funny enough, we’re approaching the 25th anniversary of Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team airing on HBO.

When one thinks of the top sports moments during the 20th century, the Miracle on Ice is probably in the top five slots—that’s what makes Miracle: The Boys of ’80 a compelling documentary. The film is dedicated in memory of Mark Wells, Mark Pavelich, Bob Suter, and Coach Herb Brooks. May their memories be a blessing.

DIRECTORS: Max Gershberg and Jake Rogal
FEATURING: Mike Eruzione, Phil Verchota, Mike Ramsey, Rob McClanahan, John Harrington, Dave Christian, Craig Patrick, Buzz Schneider, Dave Silk, Bill Baker, Steve Janaszak, Neal Broten, Mark Johnson, Ken Morrow, Jack O’Callahan, John Powers, Danny Brooks, Kelly Paradise, George Will

Netflix releases Miracle: The Boys of ’80 on January 30, 2026. Grade: /5

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