I love films that let me fantasize about that big lottery win. This will be a growing list of movie reviews including variations on the lottery win theme, as well as documentaries about what happens to the winners both good and bad.

It Could Happen to You: Love and the lottery—a winning recipe for romance—is the backdrop of this 1994 film starring Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda and Rosie Perez. C&S site readers will enjoy the inspirational lottery story line, but so will anyone who likes sweet romantic comedies.

Lucky Christmas: This Hallmark Channel presentation is a feel-good Christmas film that combines romance, the holiday spirit and a lottery ticket. It stars Elizabeth Berkley, known for her role in the Saturday morning kids' series Saved by the Bell. She portrays a hard-working single mom down on her luck who plays the lottery regularly with dreams of opening her own cafe. One night, on top of all of her other stress, her car is stolen with her winning lottery ticket inside.

Millions - A Lottery Story: We all hear stories of lottery winners gone wrong proving that money doesn't always buy happiness or common sense. While these stories are the ones that most likely make the news, there are also the lesser known stories of winners that don't make the headlines. This documentary follows the lives of six winners and how differently they handled hitting the jackpot.

Waking Ned Devine: Elderly Ned Devine lands a windfall of over 6 million pounds in the Irish lottery. There's only one problem—he's dead and he signed the back of his ticket before he died so no one else can claim the prize. But that doesn't stop his lifelong friends, Jackie O' Shea and Michael O' Sullivan, from crafting what they think is the perfect plan to claim the winnings in this charming 1998 film.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: This film is the classic 1971 musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It stars Gene Wilder as the eccentric creator of a candy empire. Charlie Bucket, the tenderhearted, penniless English boy from a loving home often stops by the local candy store to window shop while the other kids buy their favorite treats. Soon, he'll be the owner of a winning ticket that will lead to the adventure of a lifetime.

The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio: Have you ever had to engage in sweepstaking to keep your family afloat financially? Author Terry Ryan's loving memoir of her life with a mom who did just that comes to life in the film adaptation.

These films are available to watch instantly at Amazon.com:
It Could Happen To You
Waking Ned Devine