Some stories are so harrowing they defy belief, and the 1972 Andes plane crash remains one of the most astonishing survival tales ever told. Netflix is revisiting that tragedy with a new documentary series, Beyond the Snow, set to premiere on Friday, December 18, 2026. This follow-up to the acclaimed 2023 film Society of the Snow promises a fresh perspective on an event that has captivated audiences for decades.
The original film, directed by J.A. Bayona, dramatized the story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes while carrying a rugby team to Chile. Of the 45 people on board, 16 died in the crash, leaving 29 survivors stranded in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Facing extreme conditions and dwindling resources, they resorted to unimaginable measures to stay alive. The film earned near-universal praise, with a 90% critics' score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for two Oscars, including Best International Feature Film.
Now, Bayona and his team are taking a different approach. Beyond the Snow is a three-part docuseries that blends reality with fiction, as Bayona and several cast members travel to the actual crash site. The series also spans fifty years after the tragedy, exploring how the survivors' lives unfolded and how the families of those who perished coped with their loss. It's a deeply personal project, created to "bring a very important chapter of our lives to a close and to thank those who had placed their trust in us to tell their story," as Bayona stated.
The docuseries is created by Bayona and Carlos Torres, with Torres directing. It features testimonies from the survivors themselves, as well as the relatives of those who didn't make it back. Adding literary depth, the series includes interviews with Piers Paul Read, author of the 1974 book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors, and Pablo Verici, who wrote the 2008 book Society of the Snow. Actors from the film, including Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, and Matías Recalt, are also expected to appear, bridging the gap between the cinematic portrayal and the real people behind it.
This isn't the first time the Andes story has been told—there have been books, films, and documentaries—but Society of the Snow was widely considered the definitive cinematic version. Beyond the Snow aims to go even deeper, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the aftermath and the enduring impact on those involved. It's a powerful companion piece that promises to be as moving as it is informative.
For fans of survival stories and true-crime documentaries, this is a must-watch. If you're looking for more gripping content, check out our list of hidden gem romance movies on Netflix or dive into the reinvention of Sherlock Holmes. And for those who appreciate historical accuracy in film, our piece on inaccurate movies that are still unforgettable offers a fascinating perspective.
Mark your calendars for December 18, 2026, when Beyond the Snow lands on Netflix. It's a chance to revisit a story of resilience and to see how art and reality intertwine in the most profound ways. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches.
