In My Dreams

In My Dreams

Year: 2014

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Kenny Leon

FantasyDramaRomance

Natalie and Nick feel unlucky in love and, after making a wish at a fountain, begin dreaming of each other. According to legend, they have only one week to make those dreams a reality and find true romance. The film explores their journey as they try to turn fantasy into a lasting connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen In My Dreams yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

In My Dreams (2014) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of In My Dreams (2014), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Nick Smith [Mike Vogel] and Natalie Russo [Katharine McPhee] are single, living in the same city. On opposite sides of a fountain, they are both encouraged to make a wish with a penny. Their coins touch underwater, and they both feel odd.

Natalie’s best friend Sharla pushes her to make the restaurant she inherited from her mother her own. She brings Mario, a hot-headed Italian chef, to revamp the recipes. He is initially uncompromising, so Natalie fears he’ll intimidate her regulars.

Nick’s mom Charlotte Smith has been pushing him to get over Jessa, his cheating ex. She regularly sets him up on dates, and the latest is Lori Beth Wacker, someone he dated when he was twelve. Charlotte gets them tickets to a comedy performance, while at work Nick—though a trained architect—is only a draftsman, and quietly submits his own proposal for the Green Bridge Award.

Natalie and Nick dream together nightly: they meet at the Hayward Fountain, introduce themselves, and feel an instant chemistry, yet whenever they touch they awaken in their own beds. The next day, Natalie tells Sharla about the real-feeling dream. Sharla’s cousin is interested, but Natalie isn’t. Sharla is drawn to Mario, and Natalie isn’t. He reminds her that their mothers had been friends in Italy, and he passes on his mother’s condolences.

Nick’s date with Lori Beth goes badly—she’s overly eager, sending hourly reminders, photos of potential outfits, and cc’ing his mother. She reminisces about moments they shared 15 years ago, leaving Nick clearly uninterested in seeing her again.

Again, Natalie and Nick dream together, this time on a rooftop. She wants to take risks and is tired of playing it safe. He tells her about the bridge he designed for the contest, and she shares an amaretto cookie. Balanced on the roof’s edge, they lean in for a kiss but wake again on the floor.

Natalie tells Sharla about the second dream, that she can’t stop thinking about him and is anxious to sleep again to see him. In their third dream they stroll all night, encouraging each other’s careers. Both admit they are starting to have real feelings for one another.

Before Nick can fall asleep the next night, Jessa calls him to kill a rodent and seduces him, so Natalie doesn’t find him. Upset, she decides to avoid sleeping the following night and goes dancing with Mario. He kisses her at the end and says their moms always thought they would be together. When Nick goes to find her, he’s alone.

Nick dines at Natalie’s restaurant, but they don’t see each other. Finding two little sketches on the floor—one of his bridge and one of the Hayward Fountain—she goes to the fountain. Natalie finds the florist she’d met there five days ago and learns, according to fountain mythology, they have exactly seven days to turn their dreams into a reality. When asked if it would work for her, the florist suggests she find a real man and forget the legend.

That night, Natalie meets Nick in their dreams and tells him she can’t meet him again as he’s obviously not real. She vows not to sleep the next night, fearing a heartbreak.

At Nick’s parents’ 40th anniversary, his dad [Mike Smith] mentions the Hayward fountain legend, and his mother [Charlotte Smith] tells him to take a leap of faith. Nick finally quits his job at the architecture firm. At the restaurant, seeing a spark between Sharla and Mario, Natalie suddenly realizes she must find Nick, though an important critic is there. He also decides he must find her, so he leaves the award ceremony.

Nick arrives at the fountain first, accidentally dropping the invite. Natalie misses him but finds it and heads to the ceremony. He visits every Italian restaurant in town in search of her. He finds the Russos, but Sharla doesn’t know where Natalie is. They go to the fountain, find each other, and share a kiss.

The next day, Natalie introduces Nick to the florist.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Whimsical romantic fantasies like In My Dreams

Charming tales where fate or magic brings two souls together.If you enjoyed the magical connection in In My Dreams, you'll love these other movies where fate, fantasy, and a sprinkle of whimsy guide characters toward true love. Discover charming stories about dreams, legends, and serendipitous encounters that lead to heartwarming happy endings.

whimsicalromantichopefuldreamlikeheartwarmingoptimisticcharminggentle

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often begin with a character feeling unlucky or unfulfilled in love, who then encounters a magical element—a wish, a legend, or a supernatural link—that provides a hopeful path forward. The plot follows their gentle journey of learning to trust the magic and take a leap of faith into a real-life romance.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared tone of hopeful optimism, the central theme of a magical or fated love story, and their light, gentle emotional weight that prioritizes heartwarming feelings over heavy drama.

Gentle character-driven journeys like In My Dreams

Steady-paced stories about quiet personal growth and new beginnings.Fans of the steady, hopeful pacing of In My Dreams will appreciate these films about personal growth. These movies feature relatable characters on a low-stakes journey of self-discovery, moving on from the past, and finding the courage to pursue a more fulfilling life and love.

gentlehopefulheartwarmingcomfortingoptimisticcozyreassuringuplifting

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist stuck in a rut, often due to past disappointments. A catalyst—like a new opportunity or a meaningful encounter—prompts a gentle, steady progression as they learn to be more vulnerable and take risks, leading to a positive and well-earned resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films share a straightforward, low-intensity narrative with a steady pace and a light emotional touch. They are united by a focus on relatable character arcs about personal renewal and the courage to start anew, resulting in a consistently hopeful and comforting vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of In My Dreams

Don't stop at just watching — explore In My Dreams in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what In My Dreams is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

In My Dreams Timeline

Track the full timeline of In My Dreams with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

In My Dreams Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in In My Dreams

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape In My Dreams. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in In My Dreams

In My Dreams Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of In My Dreams that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

In My Dreams Spoiler-Free Summary

More About In My Dreams

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about In My Dreams: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About In My Dreams