Top 10 Fictional Rags-to-Riches Stories in Movies

#10: Annie
“Annie” (1982)

Our list begins with an adorable little redhead named Annie. Her story bears some resemblance to the 1968 film “Oliver!” based on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” but Annie wins this one with her charm and can-do attitude. Set in Great Depression-era New York City, Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks is a billionaire who wants to take in an orphan for a week to improve his image. Once he meets Annie however, his weeklong plan turns into a full on adoption. This is a classic story that will melt your heart no matter how many times you watch it, and will always remind you that the sun’ll come out tomorrow.

#9: Navin R. Johnson
“The Jerk” (1979)

Rags-to-riches-to-rags-and-back-to-riches. Navin R. Johnson is a rhythm-less man who travels to St. Louis after a radio station there plays a song that makes him dance, as you do. Things pick up when Navin gets a sweet gig at a gas station. Life manages to get EVEN BETTER for the dolt when he uses a device of his own creation to fix the glasses of a man named Stan Fox. Fox makes and distributes the newfangled device, splitting the profits of the Opti-Grab with Navin making the po’ country boy a millionaire – which only proves that once you’re in the phone book, good things happen. And then bad things happen. But then good things happen again.

#8: Vivian Ward
“Pretty Woman” (1990)

One of the greatest rom coms of all time also happens to be one of the greatest rags-to-riches storiesas well. When a wealthy business man named Edward Lewis accidentally meets a prostitute named Vivian Ward, he’s intrigued by this spark-plug of a woman and wants to get to know her better. Given her profession, this leads to the exchange of $3,000 if she’ll be his escort for a week. She accepts and the two then inevitably fall in love, get separated and then come back together in the end. Usual romantic comedy tropes aside, this story is unforgettable.

#7: Charlie Bucket
“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971)

This next entry on our list definitely got the golden ticket, pun intended. The same tale as told in the 2005 remake starring Johnny Depp stars candy-rich oddball Willy Wonka announces the opportunity of a lifetime and offers a select few children a tour of his chocolate factory. Dirt poor Charlie lucks out and scores the last ticket and soon the tour begins. When the other children fail to pass through Wonka’s unique screening process, Charlie is the last kid standing. It turns out that the tour was to choose the heir to the Wonka factory. Ompla-oompa-doopity-score!

#6: Forrest Gump
“Forrest Gump” (1994)

Stupid may be as stupid does, but it does alright. Forrest might not be the brightest crayon in the drawer, the sharpest knife in the circus and his elevator may not have a full deck, but he sure is fast and sure does have a heart of gold. Growing up so poor and so slow that that his momma got friendly with the principal to get him into school, Forrest’s life was tough, but it never got him down. Then amazing things start to happen, and eventually he pursues shrimping with help from fellow Vietnam vet Lt. Dan, and becomes a millionaire. Mind you, investing in some ol’ fruit company didn’t do him any wrong either…

#5: Billy Ray Valentine
“Trading Places” (1983)

Probably the most unorthodox story on our list, “Trading Places” sees Eddie Murphy play Billy Ray Valentine,- a man who gets his revenge through a $1 bet. Things are set in motion when the Duke brothers decide to fire and frame the well placed Louis Winthorpe III, played by Dan Aykroyd, and replace him with the streetwise Billy in order to settle a “nature vs. nurture” debate. Valentine’s street smarts and quick thinking help him come out on top, proving that it doesn’t matter where you’re from; all that matters is your drive for success.

#4: Jamal Malik
“Slumdog Millionaire” (2009)

In this success story we meet Jamal Malik, a boy who was raised in the slums of India. He becomes more than your average “slumdog” after getting a shot at India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Every question he answers correctly builds nail biting tension and is followed by a flashback of the moment in his life that provided him with the answer. The flashbacks outline the struggles Jamal has endured in his young life, making his victory all the more satisfying.

#3: Rocky Balboa
“Rocky” (1976)

Cue the montage music: everyone’s favorite boxer from Philly takes the bronze on our list. Rocky Balboa is just another up-and-coming boxer who’s working as the muscle for a local loan shark when champion Apollo Creed comes a-knockin’. He decides to give an unknown a shot at his Heavyweight title in an exhibition. The Italian Stallion is then chosen and eventually – to prove he ain’t no bum – Rocky accepts, training vigorously for the fight. The match is brutal and both fighters end up bloodied. And while Rocky doesn’t win, it is a moral victory for our hero, as he gets all he ever wanted: a shot at greatness while going the distance.

#2: Tony Montana
“Scarface” (1983)

One of the darkest tales of the bunch, “Scarface” trails a Cuban immigrant who comes to America to achieve the American Dream. He does so in his own special way, working his way up from henchman to cocaine kingpin. His climb to the top is bloody and ruthless, but damned if it isn’t entertaining to watch. But once he gets the money, the power and the women, his spiral downward is even more violent. Tony begins losing himself in the cocaine and loses those he loves in the process. This rags-to-riches story is also a cautionary tale: success achieved through evil deeds leads to a tragic downfall.

Before we applaud our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Eliza Doolittle
“My Fair Lady” (1964)
- Longfellow Deeds
“Mr. Deeds” (2002)
- Eddie Morra
“Limitless” (2011)
- Aladdin
“Aladdin” (1992)
- Daniel Plainview
“There Will Be Blood” (2007)

#1: Charles Foster Kane
“Citizen Kane” (1941)

When Charles Foster Kane dies, he utters a single word: “Rosebud.” A newsreel begins filling in his life story for the audience but much of it is told through one reporter, who’s tasked with finding out what that final word meant. His quest leads him to interview some of Kane’s closest friends and we see his story unfold through their recollections: it’s the tale of a poor boy torn away from his family in the hope that he would get all the advantages life has to offer. This story of power and betrayal is one for the ages and one that will continue to stand the test of time.

Do you agree with our list? Which success stories had you pumping your fist in the air? For more inspiring top 10s make sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.