In a revealing look back at a 2002 disappearance, a survivor finally reclaims her own narrative from decades of public speculation. The upcoming Netflix documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, promises to expose the raw emotional aftermath and the silent strength required to rebuild a life after a national tragedy.

The narrative journey follows the intense search and the ultimate resilience of a girl lost to the world.

In the early hours of June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning a case that captivated a nation. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is a profound documentary that utilizes Elizabeth Smart’s own perspective to explore her harrowing nine months of captivity, as mentioned in Tudum.

The documentary aims to provide compassion and understanding for families currently navigating similar traumatic experiences. The film provides a direct look into her survival at the hands of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.

"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," she explained to Tudum. This project allows her to maintain ownership over her history while offering hope to other survivors. The documentary promises to reveal what really happened.

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A dedicated creative team has spent years compiling this documentary to ensure the story is told with the respect it deserves.

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on January 21, 2026. The feature-length documentary has a runtime of one hour and thirty-one minutes, providing a comprehensive look at the real-life case.

It is produced by Minnow Films and arrives more than twenty years after Elizabeth’s initial rescue. The project is directed by Benedict Sanderson. Claire Goodlass, Sophie Jones, and Morgan Matthews serve as executive producers, with Gabby Alexander acting as the producer.

While many familiar faces return to share their memories, some family members have chosen to keep their peace in private.

The documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, features critical testimonies from those who were on the front lines, including Elizabeth’s sister, Mary Katherine Smart. She was a primary witness to the abduction and played a vital role in identifying the kidnapper months later. Her father, Ed Smart, also provides an intimate look at the family’s desperate search and their interaction with the media.

Additional interviews include the detectives and reporters who covered the case as it unfolded in real-time. Uncles Dave and Tom Smart share their perspectives, alongside Utah residents who encountered Elizabeth Smart while she was being held in disguise. However, her mother, Lois Smart, declined to participate to keep her experiences private, a choice Elizabeth Smart fully supports.

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What expectation you hold from the documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart? Let us know in the comments below.