If you loved
Breakthrough
Roxann Dawson · Film · 2019
If Breakthrough moved you, these stories explore how deep faith and human resilience sustain us when we face the impossible.
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.
Much like the mother in Breakthrough, you will find a similar profound testament to the human spirit and the strength required to survive when all hope seems lost.
The Love Dare
Stephen Kendrick · Book · 2009
Explores: Marriage Enrichment, Communication in Marriage, Commitment.
If the family devotion depicted in Breakthrough resonated with you, this guide offers a practical path toward strengthening the bonds of love and commitment in your own life.
Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife
Eben Alexander · Book · 2012
Explores: Afterlife, Consciousness, Spirituality.
Just as Breakthrough examines the mystery of a medical miracle, this memoir challenges your perspective on the boundaries between science and the spiritual realm through a personal lens.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving · Book · 1989
Explores: Faith and Doubt, Fate vs. Free Will, Friendship.
You will appreciate the exploration of faith and destiny in this story, mirroring the way Breakthrough centers on the search for divine intervention during a time of crisis.
Series on the same thread
The Chosen
Dallas Jenkins · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Breakthrough: Faith-Based Drama.
The focus on the transformative power of belief in Breakthrough is expanded here, offering a deeper look at the lives and miraculous encounters that define the Christian faith.
Unbelievable
Susannah Grant · Series · 2019
Explores: Sexual Assault Investigation, Victim Blaming, Systemic Injustice.
While this series shifts to a darker reality, it shares the emotional weight of Breakthrough by highlighting the necessity of persistence when fighting against an overwhelming, systemic injustice.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay · Series · 2019
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful conviction, Systemic racism.
Similar to the way Breakthrough highlights the power of a community rallying for one life, this drama portrays the resilience required to seek truth against insurmountable societal odds.
The Bible
Series · 2013
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Good vs. Evil.
If you were moved by the central role of prayer in Breakthrough, this expansive retelling of biblical history provides a broader context for the themes of sacrifice and redemption.
Podcasts on the same thread
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human resilience, Emotional healing, Self-discovery.
This podcast echoes the inspirational spirit of Breakthrough by documenting how individuals draw upon inner strength and compassion to heal after experiencing profound personal adversity and life-changing events.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension · Podcast · 2026
Explores: faith, spiritual growth, historical context.
If the reliance on prayer seen in Breakthrough sparked a desire for deeper understanding, this daily journey through scripture provides a consistent framework for your own spiritual growth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Breakthrough based on a true story?
The film Breakthrough depicts the real-life tragedy of a 14-year-old boy who fell through the ice on a frozen lake. After being trapped underwater for over 15 minutes, his family and pastor gathered at his bedside to pray for a miracle while he fought for his life.
How long was the boy trapped underwater in Breakthrough?
In the movie Breakthrough, the 14-year-old boy is trapped beneath the ice of a frozen lake for over 15 minutes. The story follows his mother, Joyce, and her family as they wait at the hospital and pray for his recovery after he is rescued.
What is the central conflict in Breakthrough?
The central conflict in Breakthrough involves a mother named Joyce whose son falls through a frozen lake. After being underwater for over 15 minutes, the boy is rushed to the hospital where he remains in critical condition while his family and pastor pray for a miracle.
Who stays by the boy's bedside in Breakthrough?
In Breakthrough, the boy's mother Joyce, her husband, and their pastor remain by his bedside at the hospital. They stay there to support him and pray for a miracle after he is rescued from being trapped underwater for over 15 minutes in a frozen lake.