When you ask most people what their one wish would be, the common answer is: winning the lottery. Dreams of scoring a huge jackpot win by picking a few numbers from a game card is one that many people have had in their life. Indeed, regardless of where you’re from, whether you’re playing Europe’s favorite lottery such as the Euro Millions, or you’re in the US taking a chance with the Powerball, lottery games have the potential to inspire awe and excitement in equal measure.

In fact, such is the appeal of lotteries that many directors have attempted to harness the power of these games and used them as a motif for their cinematic creations. Of course, not all lottery themed films have hit the mark, but some certainly have and in this article we’ve picked out some of the best lottery films from the last few years.

Lucky Numbers (2000)

John Travolta, a struggling snowmobile company and a rigged lottery all conspire to create an interesting cinematic offering in the year 2000. Naturally, the scam goes horribly wrong due to a double-cross early on which means the rest of the film is spent trying to untie the tangled web Travolta has weaved himself into.

Waking Ned Devine (1998)

A comedy drama that captures the shock of winning the lottery, this film features Jackie and Michael who find their friend Ned dead in his home after winning the lottery. The shock of the jackpot win causes Ned to have a heart attack and drop down before he’s had chance to claim his winnings. Not wanting to let the cash go to waste; Jackie and Michael devise a cunning plan to try and claim what’s not rightfully theirs.

It Could Happen to You (1994)

Although Nicholas Cage often divides opinions in the acting world, his portrayal of Charlie Lang, a New York cop who wins the lottery, is undoubtedly impressive. After failing to tip a waitress, Lang agrees to split any lottery winnings he hits that night. Despite the protests of his wife, Lang honours his agreement with the waitress and, unsurprisingly, he ends up falling in love with the beautiful waitress.