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The Top 5 dirty lottery movies

Marina Hillquist remembers the most thought-provoking, innovative and downright filthy lottery movies, so that you never forget them!

Winning the lottery brings feel-good emotions, making it a popular entertainment theme. Several depictions of lottery winners in TV and movies exist, produced in the capital of cinema: Hollywood. Some of the biggest actors have played roles in them. The theme can evoke emotions in the audience by creating various scenarios and dramas when individuals win. It allows movie directors to connect with their viewers. Many aspire to win, but few achieve it or experience it. As an interesting aside, some may wonder if lottery winnings or gambling habits, including being registered with services like does GamStop affect credit rating.

The following five can be considered among the best for various reasons…

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1. 29th Street (George Gallo, 1991)

Based on a true story, 29th Street tells the tale of how Frank Pesce Jr. became the first winner of the New York State Lottery (in reality he was just a finalist). He won $6,200,000 in 1976, which led to a mixture of emotions. His life changed for the better.

But, alongside all the good, his win created tension with family members, including his father, as he becomes jealous of his son. This 90s film showcased the potential challenge that a lottery win may bring to those fortunate enough to win.

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2, Finder’s Fee (Jeff Probst, 2001)

Finder’s Fee is a film about a man named Tepper. He faces a moral dilemma when he finds a winning lottery ticket in a wallet that doesn’t belong to him. Upon contacting the owner, he finds that the wallet contains a ticket worth $6 million. As his usual poker crew begins to play with lottery tickets, he has a choice that needs to be made.

Two conflicting decisions dwell inside this film: whether to remain honest or take advantage of someone else’s misfortune when the event arises.

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3, It Could Happen to You (Andrew Bergman, 1994)

Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda portray two people in a real story based on the pair’s winning the lottery in It Could Happen To You. The 1994 film sees the pair split the winnings and ultimately fall for each other.

Cage portrays a New York cop down on his luck as he was struggling with money. Fonda played the waitress in the café he was in, but he couldn’t tip her after being served. Instead, he offered to buy a lottery ticket with her, sharing three numbers each. He promised to split any winnings equally. He stuck to his word when they were the unexpected recipients of the $6 million jackpot. The director uses a little poetic license in this movie, as the pair didn’t fall in love in reality but they remain friends after their big lottery win. 

It Could Happen To You is also pictured at the top of this article.

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4. Waking Ned Devine (Kirk Jones, 1998)

Waking Ned Devine is another film based on an individual winning the lottery, but this time the small community he lived in attempts to claim the winning ticket. They do this as the individual who held it, Ned, dies due to the shock he experienced during this comedic film.

The rules dictate that the holder must claim the reward. This leads the two friends to do their best to convince the inspector that one of them is Ned. The film shows what good winning the lottery can have on a small area that needs it, as well as the capacity to unite people.

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5. Lottery Ticket (Erik White, 2010)

Lottery Ticket is one of the newest films released based on the lottery. It follows a character named Kevin Carson, who wins the $370 million jackpot.

Unfortunately, reality hits after winning the big prize: people begin using him for his money. The film’s premise is very real, and it illuminates the dark side of money. Although it shows how money can change relationships, it also touches on sentimental elements, such as how people choose their numbers (grandmother’s lucky numbers).


By Marina Hillquist - 25-11-2024

Film review search

The fields "country of origin" and "actor" were created in May 2023, and the results are limited to after this date.

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