5 new fall films prove that inspirational dramas are reaching new heights.

As ‌moviegoers have ⁣come⁣ out in force ‌this ‌year to support cause-driven movies, the box-office‍ success of ⁣two films has upended conventional ​Hollywood predictions. Now a handful of inspiring dramas geared⁢ to heartland audiences hope to ‍make a splash this fall.

It turned heads‍ when religious biopic ‍“Jesus Revolution” raked in⁣ over $50 million this⁤ spring,‌ then climbed Netflix streaming rankings in recent weeks. And in a run Variety called “unlikely,” anti-trafficking thriller “Sound of‍ Freedom ” currently stands as ⁢the year’s No. 10 box-office‍ earner. That means an indie film ⁢produced for $14.5 million has bested ⁣studio pics made for⁣ about $300 million each: Disney’s “Indiana Jones 5” and Paramount’s⁤ “Mission Impossible 7.”

The rise of faith-conscious entertainment has been ​decades in⁣ the⁣ making. Sony Pictures launched faith-based shingle Affirm⁢ Films in 2007, finding a wide audience with “Miracles from Heaven” ($74 million) and “Soul Surfer” ($47 million). Similarly, MGM⁣ Studios’ faith ‌brand Lightworkers⁢ Media recently generated‍ buzz with biopic “On A Wing And A Prayer” ⁣ starring faith-and-family hitmaker Dennis‌ Quaid (“The⁤ Hill”), which ‌Prime Video smartly ⁤premiered worldwide during Easter weekend.

But the lion’s‌ share of attention has come from two rising players: Utah-based Angel Studios, distributor of “Sound of Freedom” and hit streaming series “The Chosen,” with an ⁢estimated 110 million viewers since its debut; and Kingdom Story Company, ⁣a Christian-founded production house partnered with Lionsgate to⁤ release⁢ two⁤ faith-based films per year.

Still, Hollywood’s current fall release‍ slate looks typical of recent years, leaning on⁣ franchises (such as a 33rd ⁣Marvel Cinematic‍ Universe superhero flick ⁤titled “The Marvels”),⁤ a Taylor Swift concert film,​ and a dozen horror movies including new “Saw” and “Exorcist” entries. Will another indie drama with an edge become a breakout hit? Support from faith-and-family‌ audiences will be critical.

1. ‘Ordinary Angels’ ⁤(PG, in theaters this fall)

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank (“Million ⁣Dollar Baby”) stars as small-town hairdresser Sharon Stevens, whose difficulties including an estranged family‍ led to bouts with alcoholism. But Stevens comes to know a hardscrabble ‌local ⁢family⁣ hit⁤ by even greater‌ losses than her own — and gets to work, giving what she can to save a little girl‍ facing a dire health crisis.

With an ⁤emotional depth that’s ⁤earned through⁤ character development, ⁢“Ordinary Angels” draws​ viewers into the ⁤trials and joys of flawed characters ⁣like Stevens, single father Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson ⁤of ⁣“Fast ⁢X”‌ fame), and Swank’s salon coworker‍ Rose (Tamala ⁢Jones from ABC’s “Castle”). Sticking to the true story, which is set against a historic​ 1994 Kentucky snowstorm, it sidesteps Hallmark cliches ​and​ ponders themes of ‍brokenness, relapse, and hero syndrome.

From ⁢a team that has honed their craft on memorable biopics including “I Can Only Imagine” and “American Underdog” about NFL star Kurt Warner, “Ordinary Angels” inspires with ⁣confident storytelling in ⁤service of a life-affirming‍ narrative of​ overcoming ​the odds.

2. ‘The Shift’ (not yet rated, in theaters December)

After stunning​ the world with “Sound of ​Freedom,” Angel Studios’ follow-up film is a science-fiction action flick that stars Kristoffer Polaha (“Where Hope Grows”), Neal McDonough (“Yellowstone”), and Sean Astin (“The‌ Lord of the Rings”).

This dystopian spin on ⁤the multiverse ⁣concept turns on everyman Kevin (Polaha) ‍encountering a mysterious stranger with ‌otherworldly powers⁤ (McDonough), ⁤who banishes Kevin ⁣to⁢ a tyrannical, parallel ​Earth where he ⁤fights to ‌get back to the woman he loves. Writer-director Brock Heasley has ⁢called “The​ Shift” equal ⁢parts love⁢ story ⁢and science-fiction thriller which “takes cues from ‌the book of Job.”

In ​a recent⁤ interview, Polaha noted the film deals with the dark side of human nature. “If I gave you a ⁣hall pass to do⁢ anything that you wanted to do, would​ you do it? It’s a very simple question,” he⁣ said. “There are no​ repercussions, legally you’re fine, morally you’re fine, here’s a hall ‍pass, do whatever you want to do. So that’s what my ​character is given.”

3. ‘Sight’ (not yet rated, in⁢ theaters⁣ Oct. 27)

He ⁢escaped ⁣China’s‌ Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, arrived in the United States ⁢with $50, and became ​a pioneering eye surgeon. The life story of Dr. ‌Ming Wang comes to‍ the screen in ‌“Sight,” starring ⁤Terry Chen ⁣(“Almost Famous”) as​ Wang⁢ and Greg Kinnear (“Flash of‌ Genius”) in a biopic ⁣ that grapples with questions of science ⁣and faith, as Wang is known for his Christian beliefs.

4. ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ (not yet rated, in theaters Nov. 10)

Movie musicals are ⁤on the upswing, with eccentric‍ chocolate-factory prequel “Wonka” and​ blockbuster stage adaptation “Wicked” coming over the next year. The team behind “A Week ‍Away,” a tongue-in-cheek⁤ camp romp featuring‍ Christian ‍music hits, has partnered with Sony’s Affirm Films for “Journey to Bethlehem,” ‍a big-budget‌ musical filmed‌ in Spain.

It starts as Mary (Fiona Palomo of “Outer ⁤Banks”) and Joseph (Milo Manheim of “Zombies”) learn of their‍ special purpose from the angel⁤ Gabriel (rap artist Lecrae).⁤ The trailer soars with pathos‍ and celebration, while hinting at the murderous intent of King Herod (Antonio Banderas of “The Mask ‌of Zorro”) and⁢ his son (Joel Smallbone from For King and Country). Strong buzz could help “Journey”‌ reach beyond ​the church audience.

5. ‘A Million ⁣Miles Away’‍ (PG, streaming Sept. 14 on Prime Video)

Following last year’s‍ inspiring NASA docudrama “Goodnight Oppy,” about⁢ the heroic efforts of a ​Mars rover ⁤crew,⁤ Amazon returns to space with biopic “A Million Miles Away.” Raised in a rural, farm-working family in ⁤Michoacán, ‌Mexico, Jose Hernández dreamed of traveling to⁤ outer space, an aspiration his teachers ⁣in California’s​ San Joaquin​ Valley ​fostered‍ once ‍the family moved.

In ⁣a breakout lead‌ role for Michael⁢ Peña — known⁢ for “Ant-Man,” “World Trade Center,” and countless TV ‌series⁤ —​ the film shows him⁢ building a family and acquiring the engineering⁣ skills required for the elite⁢ NASA role. Famously rejected 11 times by NASA, it didn’t ‌deter Hernández. “The letters ‍always ended⁢ with ​‘You ⁤are welcome to ⁣reapply.’ So, I did, and eventually,⁤ I got accepted,” he said at an event ​last year.

Lovingly produced with rich cultural‌ details, viewers of “A Million Miles Away” will⁤ be moved by the trials and triumphs of this extended Latino‍ family.