‘Miracles From Heaven’ is a profound Christian drama that follows the life of Annabel “Anna” Beam (Kylie Rogers), a ten-year-old girl who is diagnosed with a rare, incurable medical condition called Intestinal Motility Disorder, which causes the intestines to malfunction and makes it impossible to eat food in a normal way. Realizing that her daughter may die soon, Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) gives up on her faith in God, only to receive a miraculous intervention from a strange entity. The Patricia Riggen directorial, based on the eponymous memoir by Christy Beam, blends medical issues with questions on religion and spirituality.
If the ideas of family, faith, relationships, sisterhood, desperation, miracles, and kindness that are explored in an adept manner in the 2016 emotional drama pique your interest, these movies similar to ‘Miracles From Heaven’ will be worthy additions to your watchlist.
10. A Question of Faith (2017)
The Kevan Otto directorial, ‘A Question of Faith,’ is a Christian drama that follows three seemingly unconnected families whose lives tragically intertwine. Pastor David Newman (Richard T. Jones), a devoted husband and father, is preparing to lead his father’s church, yet he struggles to fulfill promises made to his 12-year-old son, Eric. Meanwhile, Kate Hernandez (Jaci Velasquez), a devout single mother, manages a local restaurant while her free-spirited daughter, Maria, who dreams of being the first in their family to attend college. Finally, John Danielson (C. Thomas Howell), facing a failing construction business, pins his hopes on his daughter Michelle’s burgeoning singing career as a path out of financial hardship.
Their worlds collide through a series of unexpected and devastating events. Confronted with immense grief, suffering, and doubt, these families must choose between succumbing to despair or finding a shared path of hope, trust, redemption, and compassion. Akin to ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ the religious tale centers around kinship, faith, and a sense of desperation. Both films are explicitly Christian, featuring prayer, church, sermons, and references to God’s plan and forgiveness. They explore how belief can either unite or divide a family facing suffering, while highlighting their resilience.
9. The Girl Who Believes in Miracles (2021)
Based on ‘The Mustard Seed’ by Peter Szondy, ‘The Girl Who Believes in Miracles’ follows eleven-year-old Sara Hopkins (Austyn Johnson), who possesses an extraordinary faith, unlike most. Taking her preacher’s words literally, she believes faith can move mountains and begins to pray earnestly. Her strong belief captures God’s attention, leading to a series of miracles, like a deceased bird being resurrected, a blind girl regaining her sight, a boy with a severed spine walking again, and a girl with terminal cancer being cured. In the Christian drama directed by Richard Correll, as news of these miracles spreads, the media pursues Sara relentlessly, drawing further community attention. Soon, people throughout the town experience sudden relief from their suffering.
Sara transforms into a local phenomenon and a media sensation. However, the relentless hounding from the press takes a toll on Sara’s physical health, with each prayer endangering her. She finds herself in desperate need of a miracle to save her own body and soul. Much like ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ the narrative centers on a young girl whose spiritual experiences and unwavering faith result in miracles that defy the comprehension of those around her. Both stories depict miraculous healings that evoke confusion and wonder, prompting observers to interpret them through the contrasting perspectives of faith and science.
8. Let There Be Light (2017)
‘Let There Be Light’ is a Christian drama that centers around the life of an atheist named Dr. Sol Harkens (Kevin Sorbo), a prominent atheist, who commemorates his recent debate triumph over a Christian leader at a celebratory book event. While consuming multiple alcoholic beverages, he unsuccessfully tries to persuade his girlfriend to accompany him home. Harkens departs the gathering in a state of intoxication, continuing his consumption of alcohol on the way to his residence. In his inebriated condition, he deviates from the roadway, resulting in a collision at a construction site.
The Kevin Sorbo directorial, co-written by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo, follows a life-changing experience, which makes the protagonist question his perspectives on deeper philosophical questions of life and leads him to a complex transformation of faith. Akin to ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ the narrative centers on a child’s tragedy, which propels the main character’s emotional and spiritual development. Both films depict a supernatural or divine encounter linked to death, which profoundly transforms the lead characters’ lives, leading to a complex commentary on faith.
7. Father Stu (2022)
Directed by Rosalind Ross, ‘Father Stu’ follows the inspirational tale of Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg). Based on the book ‘That Was Father Stu: A Memoir of My Priestly Brother and Friend’ by Father Bart Tolleson, the Christian drama centers on Long, a foul-mouthed amateur boxer from Helena, Montana, who has a strained relationship with his parents. Their hostility towards religion stems from the protagonist’s brother’s death. Stuart moves to Southern California to pursue an acting career, where he finds work in a grocery store. His attraction towards a Catholic woman leads him to be baptized in the tradition, from which point his involvement in and survival from a deadly car crash lead him towards accepting the priesthood.
In ways analogous to ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ the tale of the amateur boxer turned priest deals with the complexities of belief, and features characters that undergo extraordinary mental transformations, as a direct result of unexplainable and miraculous acts after life-threatening accidents. The films also highlight the power of belief in transforming a seemingly ordinary person into someone with greater significance.
6. Ordinary Angels (2024)
‘Ordinary Angels’, a biographical Christian drama, follows the life of Sharon Evans (Hillary Swank), a struggling hairdresser, who finds a new sense of purpose when she encounters a hard-working widowed father who is desperately trying to care for his two daughters. With his youngest child critically ill and awaiting a liver transplant, the fierce woman bravely rallies an entire community to help the grieving family. The Jon Gunn directorial, based on the real events, offers commentary on the power of belief, community, unity, and dedication towards a noble cause.
In ways similar to ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ it explores deep familial bonds that are threatened due to a deadly disease. Both films, based on true stories, explore themes of faith, prayer, and divine intervention. They depict families confronting profound challenges and experiencing unexpected, positive outcomes in seemingly impossible situations.
5. I Still Believe (2020)
The romantic musical ‘I Still Believe’ navigates an endearing tale of love in which Christian singer and songwriter Jeremy Camp (KJ Apa), who goes on a remarkable and inspiring journey of romance and gets married to Melissa Lynn (Britt Robertson), despite her not having much time to live in the world. The emotional drama directed by Jon and Andrew Erwin is inspired by the true story set in Camp’s eponymous memoir.
The storyline explores the battle of the protagonists with cancer, which threatens to tear them apart, and examines the interwoven themes of love, loss, faith, and hope. Akin to ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ it highlights the power of faith in the face of adversity, demonstrating how love and hope can endure through suffering and loss. Both films delve into the dynamics of family relationships and the support systems that enable individuals to navigate hardship.
4. Letters to God (2010)
In David Nixon’s directorial, Letters to God, a young boy named Tyler Doherty (Tanner Maguire), who is fighting cancer, writes letters to God. These letters deeply impact his neighborhood and community, inspiring hope in all who encounter him. Meanwhile, an unassuming substitute postman, grappling with his own difficult life, discovers these letters. Reading them draws him into the boy’s journey and family, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a better life for himself and to reconnect with his son, whom he lost due to alcohol addiction.
Inspired by the true story of Tyler Doughtie, the film offers commentary on the power of belief and the strength of individuals who dare to fight their battles. Like ‘Miracles From Heaven,’ the protagonist’s journey creates a ripple effect, inspiring hope and faith in those around them. Both movies showcase characters who find strength and resilience through their faith while facing significant challenges and adversity.
3. 90 Minutes in Heaven (2015)
‘90 Minutes in Heaven,’ a biographical drama based on the eponymous book by Don Piper, the namesake of the protagonist, and Cecil Murphey. It follows the unusual life of Don (Hayden Christensen), who is pronounced dead at the scene and remains so for 90 minutes before showing signs of life, astonishing paramedics. He miraculously returns to life and claims that he was in Heaven and visited with deceased relatives while there.
The Michael Polish directorial, much like ‘Miracles from Heaven,’ is rooted in faith, focusing on divine intervention and healing. Both films delve into how these extraordinary occurrences impact the faith of the individuals and their families, while also deeply exploring the themes of healing, be it Don Piper’s physical recovery from his accident or Anna Beam’s miraculous cure.
2. Heaven is for Real (2014)
Based on the eponymous book by Lynn Vincent and Todd Burpo, ‘Heaven is for Real’ is a biographical Christian drama that follows the life of a young boy named Colton Burpo (Connor Corum), who survives a near-death experience, claiming to have visited heaven and vividly describing his journey. However, his father struggles to share his son’s story with the world. The Randall Wallace directorial delves into deep questions on individual experience and the idea of belief that can transform lives. Akin to ‘Miracles from Heaven,’ the narrative centers on a young child’s miraculous recovery from a life-threatening accident, suggesting divine intervention.
The films aim to inspire hope and strengthen faith in the face of adversity, such as death or illness. Both movies are based on the real-life experiences of families who claim to have witnessed or experienced extraordinary events, showcasing them to offer hope and inspiration to viewers and characters alike.
1. Breakthrough (2019)
‘Breakthrough’ is a religious drama that follows John Smith (Marcel Ruiz), a 14-year-old boy, who falls into an icy lake and does not regain consciousness. His mother, Joyce, however, refuses to give up hope and prays for his recovery. Directed by Roxann Dawson, the film is based on ‘The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection’ by Joyce Smith and Ginger Kolbaba. The film explores philosophical questions on faith, reality, death, and the power of love.
Analogous to ‘Miracles from Heaven,’ the narrative delves into the strength of prayer and conviction when confronted with seemingly insurmountable odds. Both films depict the emotional and spiritual journeys of families facing crises. They explore themes of doubt, fear, and the ultimate discovery of strength through faith and community support, while also being based on true events, which provides authenticity and relatability to the viewers.
Read More: Miracles from Heaven’s True Story, Explained