Heaven Is for Real

Heaven Is for Real

Year: 2014

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Director: Randall Wallace

Drama

After a near-death experience, young Colton Burpo recounts a remarkable journey to heaven, describing vivid encounters and sharing details that confound his parents, Todd and Sonja. Struggling to understand their son's incredible story, they grapple with questions of faith, loss, and the possibility of life beyond Earth, while Colton's account inspires their community and challenges their own beliefs about the afterlife.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Heaven Is for Real yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Heaven Is for Real (2014)

Trace every key event in Heaven Is for Real (2014) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Beginning of the Journey

The film opens in Lithuania with a young girl starting to create a portrait. This artistic endeavor sets the stage for themes of perception and belief that will unfold throughout the narrative.

Lithuania
2

Todd Burpo's Life in Nebraska

The narrative shifts to Imperial, Nebraska, where Todd Burpo, portrayed by Greg Kinnear, is installing a garage door. In addition to his handyman work, Todd is also a high school wrestling coach, a volunteer firefighter, and pastor of the local church, highlighting his multifaceted role in the community.

Imperial, Nebraska
3

Family Trip to Denver

Despite facing financial difficulties and Todd's medical leave due to a broken leg, his wife Sonja insists on a family trip to Denver. Accompanied by their children, Cassie and Colton, they embark on this adventure, marking it as a special occasion for the family.

Denver
4

Visit to the Sanctuary

In Denver, the family visits a butterfly and spider sanctuary. While Cassie bravely holds a tarantula, Colton hesitates, revealing a moment of childhood fear that contrasts with Cassie's boldness.

Denver
5

Health Crisis Strikes

On their return trip, both Cassie and Colton fall ill, causing great concern for the family. While Cassie's condition soon improves, Colton's fever escalates, leading them to seek medical attention, which sets off a chain of critical events.

6

Emergency Surgery for Colton

At the hospital, doctors reveal that Colton’s appendix has ruptured, necessitating immediate surgery. Todd and Sonja are warned to prepare for a difficult outcome, elevating the emotional stakes as they face the fear of losing their son.

Hospital
7

A Father's Despair

In the hospital chapel, Todd struggles with despair, questioning God about the suffering he has endured. His outburst reveals the depths of his emotional turmoil and his desperation to protect his family from harm.

Hospital Chapel
8

Colton's Miraculous Recovery

After the surgery, to everyone's relief, Colton recovers and exhibits an unexpected bravery. He expresses a wish to hold the spider he once feared, symbolizing a profound change within him following his brush with death.

Denver
9

Colton's Revelation

Colton shares his extraordinary claim of having visited Heaven during his surgery, where he encountered Jesus and witnessed incredible sights. This shocking revelation astonishes Todd, leaving him both amazed and conflicted about the implications of his son's experience.

10

Increased Skepticism

As Colton’s story gains traction, skepticism surfaces within the community. Some townsfolk question the authenticity of his experience, leading to confrontations and tensions, particularly as Cassie defends her brother against bullies at school.

11

Struggles with Belief

Todd seeks counsel from friends and a psychologist, who suggests Colton’s visions might be hallucinations stemming from trauma. Meanwhile, Sonja also grapples with disbelief, complicating their family's ability to process Colton's claims.

12

Meeting with Church Leaders

During a church board meeting, concerns arise about the effects of Colton's story on the congregation's unity. Organist Nancy and Todd's friend Jim emphasize the potential fallout, highlighting the pressure on Todd's pastoral role amidst rising doubt.

Church
13

Encounter with Family in Heaven

Colton recounts a poignant meeting with Todd's late grandfather, Pop, providing him with significant details that suggest his story may hold truth. This moment ignites a flicker of belief in Todd, as he begins to confront Colton's extraordinary claims.

14

Colton's Sister

In a surprising revelation, Colton describes meeting his sister, who was lost to miscarriage. This intimate detail further perplexes Todd and Sonja, as they had never shared this past with Colton, deepening the mystery of his experience.

15

A Moment of Belief

After experiencing growing national attention, Todd is invited on-air by a radio station to confirm his son's claims. This increased visibility culminates in an emotional church service where Todd openly shares his conviction and love for his son’s story, touching many hearts.

Church
16

Closing Reflections

In the film's concluding moments, Todd reflects on the journey while observing a news report about the Lithuanian girl who painted Jesus. The film closes with updates on the Burpo family, celebrating their continued faith and love, while Colton humorously quips about his brotherhood.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:32

Unlock the Full Story of Heaven Is for Real

Don't stop at just watching — explore Heaven Is for Real in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Heaven Is for Real is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Heaven Is for Real Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Heaven Is for Real, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Heaven Is for Real Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Heaven Is for Real

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Heaven Is for Real. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Heaven Is for Real

More About Heaven Is for Real

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Heaven Is for Real: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Heaven Is for Real

Similar Movies to Heaven Is for Real

Discover movies like Heaven Is for Real that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.