(Credit: Netflix)

Netflix is fanning the flames of a new documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, to revisit one of the most terrifying missing persons cases America has seen yet.

According to Netflix, the upcoming documentary will trace back to the early hours of June 5th, 2002, when 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, sparking widespread alert throughout the nation.

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, slated for a 2026 release, aims to capture the real story, as told by none other than the person in question, Smart. The Netflix documentary will also feature exclusive interviews with her family, investigators, and those closely related to the case.

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is constructed with a mix of archival footage and never-before-seen material that uncovers the horrifying months of Smart’s abduction at the hands of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. It also retraces the incredibly tough rescue that took place nine months after the kidnapping.

“After I was rescued, when I first got home, I did not want to talk about what happened with anyone. And when the trial finally happened, I remember sitting up on the stand, giving these answers, and feeling like there was no context around them. I remember thinking that if all of this was going to be out there anyway, I wanted it to have some meaning, and for it to serve a purpose. I wanted to have some ownership over my story,” Smart told Netflix regarding her decision to open up.

What Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart also aims to stress on is the psychological and emotional toll the incident put on her and her family as they continued their search for answers. The Netflix documentary is wheeled by Smart’s own account of the entire incident that recalls her tireless resolve to resist and survive.

“There will be victims and survivors who watch this, and I hope they realise they’re not alone, and that they don’t have to be ashamed of what happened to them. And I hope that people who watch this can gain compassion and understanding for other families who are going through this. I also hope it brings comfort that there are happy endings – and that even after terrible things happen, you can still have a wonderful life,” she continued.

While Netflix has yet to unveil further information about Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, what we do know is that the documentary is directed by Benedict Sandrson, with Claire Goodlass, Sophie Jones, and Morgan Mathews serving as executive producers.

As for the release date, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on January 21st, 2026. So, stay tuned for more updates!