6 Best Sudden Windfall and Inheritance Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 11, 2026

Comedy feel good

The wild fantasy and unexpected chaos of sudden, unearned wealth has powered some of cinema’s most feel-good comedies. In Waking Ned Devine (1998): A small Irish village conspires to claim a deceased neighbor’s winning lottery ticket. Just as strong is It Could Happen to You (1994): A kind police officer promises to split his lottery winnings with a struggling waitress, complicating both their lives.

Brewster's Millions (1985) 01

Brewster's Millions (1985)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A minor-league baseball player must spend thirty million dollars in thirty days to inherit a much larger fortune.

Directed by Walter Hill · 1h 37m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, YouTube TV, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Lottery Ticket (2010) 02

Lottery Ticket (2010)

TMDB ★ 5.5

A young man's winning lottery ticket makes him a target for his entire neighborhood over a long holiday weekend.

Directed by Erik White · 1h 39m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Mr. Deeds (2002) 03

Mr. Deeds (2002)

TMDB ★ 5.7

A small-town greeting card poet inherits a massive fortune and must navigate the corrupt world of big business.

Directed by Steven Brill · 1h 37m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Lucky Numbers (2000) 04

Lucky Numbers (2000)

TMDB ★ 5.2

A local weatherman and a lottery show hostess scheme to rig their state's lottery drawing.

Directed by Nora Ephron · 1h 45m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Waking Ned Devine (1998) 05

Waking Ned Devine (1998)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A small Irish village conspires to claim a deceased neighbor's winning lottery ticket.

Directed by Kirk Jones · 1h 31m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
It Could Happen to You (1994) 06

It Could Happen to You (1994)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A kind police officer promises to split his lottery winnings with a struggling waitress, complicating both their lives.

Directed by Andrew Bergman · 1h 41m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Philo, Starz Apple TV channel, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

You might also like

Adam Sandler – 10 Best Movies

Adam Sandler – 10 Best Movies

Adam Sandler

 6 Best Diner and Waitress Movies of All Time

6 Best Diner and Waitress Movies of All Time

drama

 6 Best Pizza Delivery Movies

6 Best Pizza Delivery Movies

comedy

 6 Best Roller Skating Rink Movies

6 Best Roller Skating Rink Movies

comedy

 6 Best Weather Forecaster Movies

6 Best Weather Forecaster Movies

comedy

 6 Best Ice Cream Truck Movies

6 Best Ice Cream Truck Movies

comedy

Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.