'Miracles from Heaven' and other new faith-based films toning down religious themes?

"Miracles from Heaven" and other new faith-based films now feature less religion and more star power to cater to movie-watchers en mass rather than just core religious groups.

For DeVon Franklin, one of the producers of "Miracles from Heaven," a film labeled as faith-based may turn off some watchers. There are those who think such movies are too preachy or are of "lower quality," according to the Associated Press.

However, Franklin explained in a recent interview that they want to reach more people with their movies.

Producer Pastor T.D. Jakes also said, "It's the way people think when you use labels that is the barrier. It's not necessarily the film, but the image that comes up in people's minds... It suggests a discrimination that was not intended. We didn't do this film just for people of faith. We did this film for everybody."

Other faith-based films which took a similar approach are "Captive," and "Heaven is for Real."

On the other hand, there are still new faith-based films that aim to speak directly to the Christian audiences with their religious themes, including "God's Not Dead 2" and "The Young Messiah."

"Miracles from Heaven" is based on the true story of Christy Beam, whose nine-year-old daughter miraculously recovers from an incurable digestive disorder after surviving a 30-foot fall with no grave injuries. Beam's 2015 memoir reveals that Anna told her mother that she visited heaven and said Jesus helped her throughout her medical ordeal.

The said movie was made with a US$13 million budget. As of now, it is still too early to determine if the film will take off in the box office. Regardless of the outcome, Jakes and Franklin say they are just hoping that more people will be able to receive the message of their new movie.

"Miracles from Heaven" is due to be released on Mar. 16. The movie features Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah.