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Plot Summary

Miracles from Heaven (2016) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 109 min · English
Directed by
Patricia Riggen
Starring
Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, Brighton Sharbino, Courtney Fansler
Budget
$13M

When her daughter Anna is diagnosed with a rare and debilitating illness, mother Christy desperately seeks a cure. After a dramatic accident and an unexpected recovery, Anna's case becomes a medical mystery, seemingly defying explanation. As word spreads, the family finds themselves at the center of attention, grappling with questions of faith, healing, and the possibility of a miracle, profoundly impacting their lives and the community around them.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Miracles from Heaven
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Where can you watch Miracles from Heaven? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on BYUtv, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Miracles from Heaven: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Miracles from Heaven (2016) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

The Beam family, consisting of Kevin (Martin Henderson), Christy (Jennifer Garner), and their daughters Abbie (Brighton Sharbino), Annabel (Kylie Rogers), and Adelynn (Courtney Fansler), lead a seemingly normal life in Burleson, Texas. Their Sundays are often spent at church, where Pastor Reverend Scott ([John Carroll Lynch]) delivers a heartfelt sermon on the importance of maintaining faith during tumultuous times.

As Kevin prepares to launch a new business venture, something unsettling occurs: Anna begins experiencing mysterious health issues that leave her constantly nauseated. Concerned parents, Christy and Kevin, consult doctors, who initially suggest that Anna might be lactose intolerant. However, Christy’s maternal instincts compel her to insist on further testing, leading to a harrowing diagnosis of a serious intestinal disorder that jeopardizes Anna's health.

Anna's condition worsens, causing her to miss an exciting school trip to the aquarium. During her moments in the library, she finds solace in the company of a boy, yet the weight of her illness looms heavily on her family. At church, Christy experiences dismissive comments from fellow congregants, suggesting that Anna’s suffering could be a reflection of their family's sins, prompting her to question her faith.

Despite her challenges, Christy is determined. She tirelessly works to reach Dr. Samuel Nurko ([Eugenio Derbez]), a gastroenterologist whose schedule seems impenetrable. After being placed on a waiting list, Christy takes a leap of faith, bringing Anna to Boston without an appointment. In an emotional plea, she implores the receptionist to assist them, her desperation evident as she seeks hope for her ailing daughter.

In an act of kindness, they meet Angela ([Queen Latifah]), a welcoming waitress who offers to show them around Boston. Their journey includes a visit to the aquarium, bringing Anna joy amid her struggles, followed by a trip to an art museum that lightens their spirits.

Finally, Dr. Nurko evaluates Anna, delivering a sobering update about her condition that leaves Christy feeling increasingly isolated from her faith. A conversation with Reverend Scott provides a glimmer of light, reminding her to hold onto hope even amidst despair.

During their hospital stay, Anna befriends a brave girl named Haley ([Hannah Alligood]), who battles leukemia. They share a bond built on encouragement and comfort as Anna offers reassurances about faith in the face of adversity. Yet, the gravity of Anna’s situation weighs heavily, leading her to dark thoughts about giving up.

Amidst family visits, a tragic accident occurs when Anna falls from a tree while playing with Abbie. Paramedics rush to the scene, and in a moment of desperation, Christy prays fervently for her daughter’s safety. Miraculously, Anna survives the fall with only a mild concussion.

As their lives return to a semblance of normalcy, Christy notices a remarkable change in Anna—she appears more vibrant and full of life than ever before. A return visit to Dr. Nurko reveals an astonishing outcome: Anna's disorder has inexplicably vanished. Overcome with gratitude, Christy thanks those who supported them during their trials.

In a heartfelt moment, Anna expresses her wish to call Angela "Aunt Angela," solidifying the bond formed through her ordeal. She shares with her parents an extraordinary experience during her fall, claiming she felt an out-of-body moment and encountered a butterfly in Heaven, where she spoke with God. Although she knows her story may be met with skepticism, she embraces it as her truth.

The Beams rekindle their connection to faith, with Christy sharing her testimony at church about the miraculous events they endured. Among the audience is Ben, who acknowledges Anna's impact on his daughter Haley, providing a bittersweet closure to their stories. As the family enjoys a pizza dinner beneath the stars, Christy's reflections convey that each day is a precious miracle, echoing their journey of faith and healing.

In a moving conclusion, a video diary reveals Anna, now a healthy, joyful seventh grader. The tree that once posed a threat to her life has been removed, and she shares her story, filled with hope and resilience.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:33

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Plot questions answered

Miracles from Heaven Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Miracles from Heaven (2016): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What was Anna's specific illness in the movie?

Anna was diagnosed with a serious intestinal disorder that jeopardized her health. Her mother Christy's instincts pushed for further testing after doctors initially suggested she might be lactose intolerant. The film doesn't specify the exact name of the disorder, but it was severe enough to cause constant nausea, require hospitalization, and ultimately threaten her life.

  • anna illness
  • intestinal disorder
  • diagnosis
  • rare disease
Q2

How did Anna survive falling from the tree with only a concussion?

Anna fell from a tree while playing with her sister Abbie and survived with only a mild concussion. Her mother Christy prayed fervently during the frantic moments before paramedics arrived. The film presents this as a miraculous survival given the height of the fall, which becomes a turning point in the story.

  • anna fall
  • tree accident
  • miracle survival
  • concussion
Q3

What did Anna experience during her fall in the movie?

Anna described experiencing an out-of-body moment during her fall. She claimed she saw a butterfly in Heaven and spoke with God. While she acknowledges her story may be met with skepticism, she embraces it as her personal truth. This experience profoundly impacted her perspective and faith.

  • anna heaven
  • out of body experience
  • butterfly
  • god
  • near death
Q4

What caused Anna's sudden recovery from her intestinal disorder?

After the tree fall incident, Anna began showing remarkable improvement. During a follow-up visit with Dr. Nurko in Boston, they discovered her intestinal disorder had inexplicably vanished. The film attributes this to the miracle of her survival and spiritual experience, though no medical explanation is provided.

  • miraculous cure
  • recovery
  • intestinal disorder healed
  • dr nurko
Q5

Who was Angela and what was her role in the story?

Angela was a waitress in Boston who showed kindness to Christy and Anna during their difficult medical journey. She took them around the city, including the aquarium and an art museum, bringing moments of joy during their struggles. Anna eventually wished to call her "Aunt Angela," solidifying the bond formed through their shared experiences.

  • angela
  • boston
  • waitress
  • support
  • family bond
Q6

What happened to Haley, the girl with leukemia Anna befriended?

During Anna's hospital stay in Boston, she befriended Haley, a brave girl battling leukemia. They supported each other through their respective health challenges. At the end of the film, Ben (Haley's father) acknowledges Anna's impact on his daughter during Christy's church testimony, providing closure to their story, though Haley's ultimate outcome is not explicitly shown.

  • haley
  • leukemia
  • hospital friend
  • cancer
Q7

Why did Christy struggle with her faith during Anna's illness?

Christy faced dismissive comments from fellow church congregants who suggested Anna's suffering might be a reflection of the family's sins. This, combined with the devastating diagnosis and seemingly hopeless medical situation, led Christy to question her faith. Her journey involves working through this doubt before ultimately rekindling her belief.

  • christy faith
  • questioning god
  • church
  • doubt
  • spiritual struggle
Q8

Why did Christy take Anna to Boston to see Dr. Nurko?

Christy learned about Dr. Samuel Nurko, a gastroenterologist known for treating complex intestinal disorders. Despite his schedule being fully booked and being placed on a waiting list, Christy made the desperate decision to take Anna to Boston without an appointment. She emotionally pleaded with the receptionist, showcasing her determination to find any possible help for her daughter.

  • dr nurko
  • boston
  • specialist
  • treatment
  • gastroenterologist
Q9

How did the tree accident lead to Anna's miraculous healing?

The tree fall served as the pivotal turning point in Anna's story. Immediately after surviving the potentially fatal fall with only a concussion, Anna began showing signs of improved health. The film presents the timing as connected to her survival and the spiritual experience she had during the fall, leading to her complete recovery.

  • tree fall
  • miracle
  • healing
  • accident
  • recovery timeline
Q10

Is Miracles from Heaven based on a true story?

Yes, Miracles from Heaven is based on the real-life story of the Beam family. Their daughter Anna Beam (Anna in the film) experienced a miraculous recovery after a serious fall, and the family shared their story of faith and healing. The film dramatizes these events, with the real Anna Beam appearing in the concluding video diary as a healthy seventh grader.

  • true story
  • real life
  • beam family
  • based on
Q11

What is the significance of the pizza dinner at the end of the movie?

The final pizza dinner beneath the stars represents the family's renewed appreciation for ordinary moments and their gratitude for Anna's recovery. Christy reflects that each day is a precious miracle, echoing the film's themes of faith, healing, and the importance of cherishing everyday blessings with family.

  • pizza dinner
  • family
  • ending
  • reflection
  • appreciation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Miracles from Heaven, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Miracles from Heaven tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about medical miracles and family faith like Miracles from Heaven

Stories where families find strength and hope while facing a devastating illness. If you were moved by Miracles from Heaven, explore other movies like it that focus on families overcoming a medical crisis. These similar drama films feature heartfelt stories of illness and healing, strong family bonds, and uplifting, faith-based journeys that inspire hope.

  • heartfelt
  • uplifting
  • dramatic
  • faith-based
  • emotional
  • inspiring
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear path from a shattering diagnosis, through a period of struggle and doubt, toward a pivotal moment—be it a medical breakthrough, a miraculous recovery, or a profound acceptance—that leads to a positive resolution. The central conflict is often internal, grappling with faith and despair, as much as it is external, battling the illness itself.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared emotional core: a heavy subject matter handled with a hopeful tone, a steady pacing that allows for emotional depth, and a straightforward narrative that prioritizes the human experience over complex plotting. The journey from darkness into light is a unifying arc.

Inspiring true story dramas similar to Miracles from Heaven

Real-life stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges with resilience. Fans of the inspiring true story in Miracles from Heaven will enjoy these similar movies. This list features other drama films based on real events, focusing on overcoming adversity, community support, and uplifting journeys that celebrate the human spirit.

  • inspiring
  • based on a true story
  • uplifting
  • emotional
  • heartfelt
  • dramatic
  • Tone: hopeful, inspiring, emotional
  • Pacing: steady, factual
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows the real-life sequence of events, often starting with a normal life disrupted by a challenge. The plot documents the struggle, the key turning points, and the eventual outcome that made the story noteworthy. The focus is on authenticity and emotional truth, celebrating the real people involved.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific credibility and emotional impact derived from their basis in fact. They blend a dramatic presentation with a documentary-like respect for the source material, resulting in a viewing experience that is both entertaining and deeply moving, often leaving the audience feeling inspired and grateful.

If you liked this

Movies Like Miracles from Heaven

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Every angle

Miracles from Heaven (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Miracles from Heaven in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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