With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina kicking off officially tomorrow, all eyes will be on the world’s best athletes across various winter sports, including skiing, curling, figure skating, and ice hockey. Of course, no Olympic story can be had without a thought of the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team, in which Team USA won the gold against all odds in Lake Placid.

We’ve all heard the story, watched depictions in movies like 2004’s “Miracle” or even lived it (the luckiest ones, maybe even in person). And while I thought I had seen everything there was about that faithful journey, the latest Netflix documentary, “Miracle: The Boys of ‘80,” had me feeling inspired all over again, just in time for the 2026 Games, and you can watch it with a subscription to Netflix.

The Miracle on Ice

It’s one of the most iconic moments in sports history at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The U.S. men’s hockey team, a ragtag group of non-professional college players, faced off against the heavily favored Soviet Union squad, a team that had dominated international hockey for years prior. Few gave the Americans a chance, but what happened over the course of a few months would become legendary.

On Feb. 22, 1980, the underdog Team USA pulled off a 4-3 upset, stunning the world. Solid play and goal scoring sealed a win that transcended sports, giving a nation facing economic woes and international tension a moment of pure joy. The victory wasn’t just about hockey — it was a symbol of heart, grit, and belief. The U.S. went on to beat Finland and capture the gold medal, but it’s that game against the Soviets — the Miracle on Ice — that lives on. Decades later, it’s still a benchmark for “impossible” victories, a story of teamwork, courage, and the sheer unpredictability that makes sports unforgettable.

The Boys of ‘80

The latest documentary about the miracle win — and the road leading to it — features amazing historical footage of the initial tryouts, training, and Olympic games, along with interviews with players including Mike Eruzione, Mark Johnson, Jim Craig, Steve Janaszak, and the children of the late head coach Herb Brooks. There’s plenty of backstory to how each member of the final team found their way to Lake Placid, including rivalries, injuries, and internal struggles. The story never fails to inspire, no matter how many times you hear it or whatever new footage you may see, and “Miracle: The Boys of ‘80” brings more inspiration than ever before.

This documentary is definitely worth checking out ahead of the 2026 Games if you’re looking for some goosebumps and good times. It’s an inspirational journey that shows the true meaning of being part of a team — one that’s larger than just on the ice — and how hard work truly pays off. Truly, a story will live on forever.

Miracle: The Boys of ‘80

January 30, 2026

This is the story of the “Miracle on Ice,” when the 1980 US Hockey Team beat the USSR in the Olympic semi-finals at the height of the Cold War to bring home a gold medal. Their iconic underdog story is told with never-before-seen 16mm footage and firsthand reflections from the players who were brought back to the scene of their historic victory.