What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBreakthrough
Roxann Dawson · Film · 2019
If you loved Breakthrough, start with The Chosen (Dallas Jenkins, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Breakthrough across media.
If you loved Breakthrough, you will be drawn to these stories that examine the profound intersection of faith, human resilience, and miraculous survival.
Books on the same thread
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand · Book · 2010
Shares a thread with Breakthrough: Overcoming Adversity.
Like Breakthrough, this narrative explores the limits of human endurance and the way individuals draw upon deep internal reserves to overcome near-impossible survival scenarios against all odds.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving · Book · 1989
Explores: Faith and Doubt, Fate vs. Free Will, Friendship.
You will appreciate how this story mirrors the spiritual questioning found in Breakthrough, focusing on the complex relationship between personal faith, divine intervention, and the reality of grief.
Before Redemption
Teresa McClain-Watson · Book · 2009
Explores: Teen Pregnancy, Redemption, Single Mothers.
This story echoes the themes of maternal dedication and religious influence present in Breakthrough, centering on a mother navigating faith and past relationships while raising her son.
The Love Dare
Stephen Kendrick · Book · 2009
Explores: Marriage Enrichment, Communication in Marriage, Commitment.
If the commitment of the mother in Breakthrough moved you, this guide offers a practical exploration of how faith-based dedication can foster healing and transformation within challenging relationships.
Series on the same thread
The Chosen
Dallas Jenkins · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Breakthrough: Faith-Based Drama.
Much like the faith-centered journey of the characters in Breakthrough, this series focuses on the transformative power of spiritual encounters and the profound impact of hope on believers.
Unbelievable
Susannah Grant · Series · 2019
Explores: Sexual Assault Investigation, Victim Blaming, Systemic Injustice.
While tonally distinct from Breakthrough, this investigative drama shares a similar focus on the intense, harrowing experiences of those seeking truth and justice when facing an impossible situation.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay · Series · 2019
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful conviction, Systemic racism.
This drama captures the same sense of desperate urgency seen in Breakthrough, highlighting how families must band together to survive systemic adversity and fight for their loved ones.
Midnight Mass
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2021
Explores: Religious Fanaticism, Loss of Faith, Miracles and Deception.
This series explores the power of prayer and miracles that define Breakthrough, while offering a darker, more complex look at how faith influences a community in crisis.
Podcasts on the same thread
A New Untold Story
Podcast
Shares a thread with Breakthrough: Overcoming adversity.
This podcast mirrors the core of Breakthrough by highlighting a miraculous survival story and the resilience required to overcome early life adversity through a lens of belief.
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human resilience, Emotional healing, Self-discovery.
If the inspirational tone of Breakthrough resonated with you, these testimonies of human resilience and the strength of the spirit will provide a similar sense of profound hope.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Breakthrough based on a true story involving a frozen lake?
Yes, Breakthrough depicts a tragedy where a fourteen-year-old boy falls through ice on a frozen lake. The story follows his mother, Joyce, as she remains by his bedside while he fights for his life after being trapped underwater for over fifteen minutes.
How long was the boy in Breakthrough trapped under the ice?
In the movie Breakthrough, the fourteen-year-old boy is trapped underwater for over fifteen minutes after falling through the ice on a frozen lake. The plot centers on his subsequent fight for survival at the hospital while his family and pastor pray for a miracle.
Does Joyce pray for a miracle in Breakthrough?
Yes, Joyce prays for a miracle in Breakthrough. After her son is rushed to the hospital following his accident on the frozen lake, she stays by his bedside alongside her husband and their pastor to pray for his recovery while he fights for his life.
What happens to the boy in Breakthrough after he falls through the ice?
After falling through the ice in Breakthrough, the boy is trapped underwater for over fifteen minutes. He is then rushed to the hospital where he continues to fight for his life as his mother, Joyce, her husband, and their pastor gather to pray for a miracle.