Where Is “Miracles from Heaven”'s Annabel Beam Now? All About the True Story That Inspired the Book and Movie

NEED TO KNOW

Miracles from Heaven, which is now streaming on Netflix, originally premiered in theaters in March 2016

The film tells the story of a young girl whose rare, incurable disorder is seemingly cured after falling from a tree and visiting heaven

It is based on Christy Beam's book of the same name, which tells the real-life story of her daughter Annabel

Miracles from Heaven is a touching story of resilience, hope and the power of having a little faith.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R26ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R46ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

In the film — which was originally released in theaters in March 2016 before it was added to Netflix— Jennifer Garner portrays a Texas mom, Christy Beam, whose faith is restored when her daughter, Anna (Kylie Rogers), is cured from a severe digestive disorder after falling 30 feet inside a hollow tree.

The movie is based on Christy’s bestselling book of the same name, which recounts the real-life journey of her family and daughter Annabel. In February 2016, Garner told PEOPLE that she "really connected" with the story after reading the corresponding memoir.

"I wanted to honor what she and Annabel and the whole family went through," she said. "I love the message in the film and I love the message of hope."

So what is the true story behind Miracles from Heaven? Here's everything to know about the real-life inspiration behind the movie — and where Annabel Beam is today.

Warning: Miracles from Heaven spoilers ahead!

Is Miracles from Heaven based on a true story?

Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy

Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Kylie Rodgers in 2016's 'Miracles from Heaven.'

Yes, Miracles from Heaven is based on the real-life story of Christy, a mom from Texas, and her daughter Annabel.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2fekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4fekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

In the film, Christy takes her young daughter, Anna, into the hospital after she repeatedly gets sick at home. While at first Anna's sickness is written off as lactose intolerance and extreme acid reflux, one doctor finds a "100% abdominal obstruction," in which part of her intestines are "twisted off."

While in surgery, though, the doctor discovers that Annabel had a "severe intestinal motility disorder" that didn't allow her body to process food, leading Christy down a long journey to find a cure for her daughter.

But everything changes when her daughter falls into a giant hollowed tree. After being rescued by first responders, doctors inform Christy and her husband Kevin (Martin Henderson) that Anna has survived with barely any injuries.

Not only that, the doctors inform Christy and Kevin that after "hitting the ground skull first with dirt packed to the top of her head," Anna regained consciousness and "woke up with a smile on her face."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2lekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4lekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

After being released from the hospital, Anna also begins to show signs of recovering from her fatal condition. She later tells her parents that while she was stuck in the tree, she visited heaven and spoke to God, who promised her that she would be healed when she woke up.

When Christy tells her that she's "worried" about what people might say to her if she tells them about her encounter, Anna responds, "Not everyone's gonna believe, and that's okay. They'll get there when they get there."

The real Annabel had a similar message when speaking to PEOPLE in March 2016.

"Believe in it if you want to. We put this out so you could have a stronger faith and probably a better life," she said. "But we’re not trying to force it down your throat. So you can believe as you want, but we put this out there to help you, not hurt you."

What happened to Annabel Beam in real life?

Cooper Neill/Getty

Annabel Beam at the premiere of 'Miracles from Heaven' on Feb. 21, 2016, in Dallas.

As Christy shared on her website, Annabel "spent most of her childhood in and out of hospitals with a rare and incurable digestive disorder that prevented her from ever living a normal, healthy life."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Annabel, who had stomach conditions calledpseudo-obstruction motility disorderandantral hypomotility disorder, was playing outside with her sisters one day in December 2011 when she fell three stories headfirst inside an old, hollowed-out tree.

While the fall could have caused death or paralysis, she miraculously survived without injury — and somehow became cured of her stomach disorders.

In her conversation with PEOPLE, Annabel said she visited heaven while trapped inside the tree, and that while she wanted to stay with Jesus — where she could be free of her stomach pain — he told her, "No, Annabel, I have plans for you on Earth that you can’t fulfill in heaven."

While waiting to be rescued from the tree, Annabel said that she was kept company by a guardian angel.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R32ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R52ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Christy told PEOPLE that when the firefighters arrived, they were shocked by how "eerily calm and peaceful Annabel was."

"If anyone was entombed in the base of a tree for five hours, they’d be hysterical," Christy said. "But she never was."

How accurate is Miracles from Heaven?

Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Annabel Beam, Christy Beam, Adelynn Beam, Abigail Beam and Kevin Beam seen at the premiere of 'Miracles from Heaven' on March 9, 2016, in Hollywood, Calif.

While the movie's plot depicted the real-life events that happened to the Beams, the timeline was condensed, director Patricia Riggen told Outersparkle in March 2016.

"When you tell a story on the screen, you have two hours. The sickness was longer, it had more steps," she said, adding that, in real life, Christy had to visit more doctors until she finally got a diagnosis for her daughter.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R39ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R59ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

"They kept missing it and she knew something was wrong, and she didn’t stop until she finally reached Dr. Nurko," Riggen said. "But we stayed true to the story, and everything else is in there."

During a March 2016 conversation with PEOPLE, Garner said one particular aspect of the film that stayed true to real life was the portrayal of Christy and her husband Kevin's relationship, which she described as "authentic" and "healthy."

Garner said it was "really important to Christy that her marriage wasn’t just used as a dramatic device — that you could always see the love."

"They were allowed to fight, they were allowed to disagree," she continued. "But you never question that these people are in it together and are a team. I love that."

Where is Annabel Beam now?

Christy Beam/ Instagram

The Beam family celebrate Thanksgiving together in 2024.

At the end of Miracles from Heaven, viewers get a glimpse at the real Beam family, including Christy, Kevin, Annabel and her two sisters, Abbie and Adelynn. Annabel, who was seen swimming and playing on the playground, reveals that her hospital days were "behind" her and that she "couldn't be happier."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R3hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5hekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

The "happy and healthy seventh grader" also shared that the tree had snapped in half during a storm.

In the years since, Annabel graduated magna cum laude from Hardin-Simmons University, Christy revealed on Instagram in May 2025.

"Proud does not do it service!" Christy captioned a photo collage. "This was the little girl who was so behind from being so ill that 'they' wanted to hold her back! ... Many days she didn’t want to get out of the car, but she did it! We are so proud of you, Anna Beam! Well done! We adore you!"

A few months earlier, Christy celebrated her daughter's September 2024 birthday with a heartfelt Instagram message, writing, "Annabel, you are so full of love, joy, grace and fun! You have impacted the lives of so many for the better."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R3mekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R5mekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

She continued, "What a joy and blessing to be your mom. We are so proud of the young woman you are becoming! I hope your day is nothing short of amazing!"

Garner commented, "We love you, Ladybug ♥️."

Read the original article on People