By Rachel Johnson & Darren Gigool
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For decades, Hollywood has released countless courtroom dramas that have captivated and stunned audiences with their riveting themes and storytelling. From thrilling literary adaptations to iconic cinematic characters, the popular genre has left a profound impact on the entertainment industry and remains a tried-and-true method of filmmaking.
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Few can forget the career-defining performance silver screen legend Gregory Peck delivered when he starred as resilient lawyer Atticus Finch in the lauded hit To Kill a Mockingbird, just as critics and moviegoers were completely enamored by the difficult task a dozen jurors faced in the beloved classic 12 Angry Men. Even the iconic Meryl Streep won her first Oscar when she appeared as a mother fighting against her ex-husband for custody of her child in the revered ‘70s hit Kramer vs. Kramer. Whether they're underrated gems or bona fide classics, these are the best courtroom dramas of all time.
Updated Jan. 11, 2024: This list has been updated with even more information and useful features.
15 The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
The Lincoln Lawyer
R
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Thriller
- Release Date
- March 17, 2011
- Director
- Brad Furman
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey , Marisa Tomei , Ryan Phillippe , William H. Macy , Josh Lucas , John Leguizamo
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The Lincoln Lawyer follows the slick defense attorney Mick Haller, played by Matthew McConaughey, who primarily practices law in his Lincoln sedan. Despite worries from his ex-wife, Haller primarily focuses on a specific kind of clientele more suited to his free-roaming practice. However, when an assault case stirs up some painful memories — as well as connections to a previous case — Haller soon discovers that the two cases may share more than just a few similarities.
The Lincoln Lawyer Will Linger With You
This mystery is unraveled with Brad Furman at the helm, meticulously heightening the courtroom's atmosphere. A charismatic Matthew McConaughey propels the storyline while Marisa Tomei brings depth to her role. Overall, The Lincoln Lawyer delves profoundly into ethical ambiguities. Modern legal tactics merge seamlessly with timeless justice debates, crafting an intense urban legal battleground that leaves audiences shaken long after the credits roll.
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14 Philadelphia (1993)
Heartfelt is the story of Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), an HIV-positive lawyer wrongfully terminated from his profession due to his condition, which forms the core of this movie. Left without many options for a lawyer, as few will even consider taking his case to court, Beckett soon finds himself teaming up with a personal injury lawyer, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), in order to find some peace. A monumental legal fight against bias and prejudice thus ensues.
Philadelphia Was a Pivotal Tom Hanks Film
Debuting in the '90s, Philadelphia emerged as a strong stance against HIV/AIDS discrimination. The film fearlessly confronts societal biases, amplifying the voices of the sidelined. Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his deeply moving performance, and Denzel Washington, as a formerly-biased attorney, perfectly contrasts and balances the storyline, making this movie a heartwarming spectacle to watch.
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13 Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear
R
Crime
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
- Release Date
- March 6, 1996
- Director
- Gregory Hoblit
- Cast
- Laura Linney , Richard Gere , Edward Norton , John Mahoney , Alfre Woodard , Frances McDormand , Terry O'Quinn , Andre Braugher , Steven Bauer , Joe Spano , Tony Plana , Stanley Anderson , Maura Tierney , Jon Seda , Reg Rogers , Kenneth Tigar , Brian Reddy , Christopher Carroll , Wendy Cutler , Ron O.J. Parson , Dianne Burns , Linda Yu , Mary Ann Childers , Lester Holt , Greg Bronson
Dark revelations taint the courtroom in Primal Fear, as an altar boy (Edward Norton) stands accused of a chilling crime. Martin Vail (Richard Gere), an ambitious lawyer, grabs this case to defend this boy. What should've been a typical case of mistaken identity or wrongful imprisonment, however, turns sour as a horrifying revelation is made: a third person was in the room during the time of the crime.
Primal Fear Is a Courtroom Thriller
The movie's twists and turns intrigue many. Yet, the unpredictability of these twists truly captivates every viewer. Going beyond a standard legal tale, the film ascends to a riveting psychological maze when its narrative comes to its eventual climax. Edward Norton's role, undeniably one of his defining acts, unveils raw emotion, guile, and astonishment. The oscillation between malevolence and innocence ensnares audiences tirelessly.
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12 Michael Clayton (2007)
Michael Clayton
R
Crime
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
- Release Date
- October 12, 2007
- Director
- Tony Gilroy
- Cast
- George Clooney , Tom Wilkinson , Tilda Swinton , Michael O'Keefe , Sydney Pollack , Danielle Skraastad , Wai Chan , Alberto Vazquez , Brian Koppelman , Tom McCarthy , Denis O'Hare , Julie White , Austin Williams , Jennifer Van Dyck , Frank Wood , Richard Hecht , Bill Raymond , Jonathan Walker , Sharon Washington , Cynthia Mace , Michael Countryman , Ken Howard , Amy Hargreaves , Susan Pellegrino , Rachel Black , Matthew Detmer , John Douglas Thompson , Merritt Wever , Brian Poteat , Christopher Mann , Edward Furs , Katherine Waterston , John Gerard Franklin , Remy Auberjonois , Pun Bandhu , Jason Strong , Robert Prescott , Paul Oquist , Terry Serpico , Heidi Armbruster , Pamela Gray , Andrew Hunter Sherman , Kevin Hagan , Julia Gibson , Sean Cullen , Susan Egbert , David Lansbury , David Zayas , Douglas McGrath , Gregory Dann , Cathy Diane Tomlin , Sam Gilroy , Maggie Siff , Sarah Nichols , Susan McBrien , Jordan Lage , Neal Huff , Paul Juhn
Deep within Michael Clayton lies a moral conflict surrounding a high-end law firm's "fixer". The titular fixer played by George Clooney makes a living out of finding loopholes and exploiting them for his clientele's benefit. However, when Clayton is brought in to assist a chemical conglomerate with a massive lawsuit, he may find himself digging a hole he can't climb out of.
Michael Clayton Will Captivate You
Acclaimed for his layered tales, Tony Gilroy sculpts a narrative both absorbing and unsettling. He shines light onto the corporate world's dark underbelly, crafting warnings about rampant ambition and silent compromises. George Clooney's performance, dripping in subtlety, captures a man navigating an ethical minefield. Equally compelling, Tilda Swinton embodies tenacious legal counsel, unveiling corporate world extremes for self-survival. Ultimately, Michael Clayton critiques the voracious modern-day corporate world, beckoning viewers to introspect in a realm consumed by wealth and the pursuit of power.
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11 The Rainmaker (1997)
In The Rainmaker, a young lawyer's tale unfolds courageously against an unyielding legal behemoth. Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) ardently champions a patient's rights against a ruthless insurance company that plays the sinister antagonist, with the assistance of a shifty paralegal by the name of Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito). The film is notable for also featuring Mickey Rourke and Danny Glover in its cast, with Teresa Wright making her final on-screen performance here as well.
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Matt Damon and Danny DeVito Are a Perfect Pairing
The Rainmaker dives beyond courtroom confrontations, plumbing moral ambiguities' depths. Under Francis Ford Coppola's direction, the narrative intertwines captivating tales and the notorious practices in the insurance realm's shadows. With precision, Coppola intricately narrates an evocative and challenging story. Matt Damon's earnest lawyer act mesmerizes, while Danny DeVito infuses gritty realism. Together, their on-screen presence, teeming with diverse ethos, floods viewers with emotional nuances.
Not merely a courtroom narrative, The Rainmaker critiques America's insurance framework and the industry itself. The resilient underdog motif echoes globally, highlighting the ordinary individual's battle against towering, often corrupt, establishments.
10 A Time to Kill (1996)
A Time to Kill
R
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Thriller
- Release Date
- July 24, 1996
- Director
- Joel Schumacher
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey , Sandra Bullock , Samuel L. Jackson , Kevin Spacey , Oliver Platt , Charles S. Dutton , Kiefer Sutherland , Donald Sutherland
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Adapted from the John Grisham novel of the same name, the 1996 legal drama A Time to Kill features a brilliant cast of Hollywood greats, including Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, and the great Samuel L. Jackson. The film tells the heartrending tale of a devastated Black father who takes justice into his own hands, murdering the two white men responsible for the brutal assault on his young daughter.
After the shocking retribution reaches the national media's attention, Carl Lee Hailey (Jackson) turns to a courageous young lawyer (McConaughey) to defend him in a trial, with the duo squaring off against the prejudiced Mississippi town and the threatening Ku Klux Klan.
Samuel Jackson Kills It in A Time to Kill
Though director Joel Schumacher may be a polarizing figure for some, A Time to Kill is up there as one of his best films. An incredible cast bring plenty of dramatic flair to this iconic courtroom drama, with Samuel L. Jackson in particular getting some incredibly memorable lines to deliver. For his gripping performance of the grief-stricken father, Jackson earned a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and won an NAACP Image Award nomination.
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9 In Cold Blood (1967)
Truman Capote's trailblazing true-crime novel received the cinematic treatment with the groundbreaking 1967 film In Cold Blood. The film stunned audiences with its shocking real-life reenactment of the tragic 1959 murders of the Clutters, during which four members of the respected Kansas family were killed by ex-convicts Richard Hickock and Perry Smith. Filming locations related to the real-life case were also utilized in its production.
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In Cold Blood Feels Like a Documentary
Director Richard Brooks worked closely alongside Capote during the development phase of the picture, with the filmmaker opting to hire relatively unknown actors to give the drama a documentary feel; Robert Blake and Scott Wilson ended up starring as the murderous criminals, and their respective performances gave the film a welcome edge. In Cold Blood would go on to be nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director.
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8 Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
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Legendary silver screen star Spencer Tracy appears as a respected Chief Justice tasked with overseeing the trial of four Nazi judges in the 1961 acclaimed picture Judgment at Nuremberg, based on the Abby Mann television play of the same name. Tracy provides a commanding portrayal of respected American judge Dan Haywood, who is brought on to manage the process and listen to the evidence presented on the crimes against humanity by the Nazi regime.
Judgment at Nuremberg Is a Haunting Courtroom Drama
Barely 15 years after the Nuremberg Trials came to a close, Judgment at Nuremberg remains an incredibly powerful film that handles its subject with grace and maturity. Aside from featuring an impressive performance from Judy Garland, who would earn a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, Spencer Tracy's scene-stealing 13-minute speech at the end of the film remains one of its most emotionally haunting highlights.
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7 A Few Good Men (1992)
A Few Good Men
R
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
- Release Date
- December 11, 1992
- Director
- Rob Reiner
- Cast
- Tom Cruise , Jack Nicholson , Demi Moore , Kevin Bacon , Kiefer Sutherland , Kevin Pollak
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Rob Reiner's Oscar-nominated 1992 courtroom triumph A Few Good Men famously stars Tom Cruise as a military defense lawyer hired to defend a pair of U.S. Marines accused of murder, arguing that they were acting under direct orders. The film is based on a play originally written by Aaron Sorkin, and additionally features Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Kiefer Sutherland in its expansive cast.
A Few Good Men Is One of Rob Reiner's Best
Lauded screenwriter Aaron Sorkin wrote the riveting script, drawing inspiration from his sister's experience going to Guantánamo Bay to investigate and defend Marines involved in a dangerous hazing incident. Featuring the additional talents of Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore, A Few Good Men earned rave reviews for its direction, performances, and powerful themes, and has become iconic for Nicholson's impassioned declaration, "You can't handle the truth!" when going toe-to-toe with Cruise's character.
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6 Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Meryl Streep showcased her exceptional acting prowess when she appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman in the critically-lauded 1979 knockout, Kramer vs. Kramer. The film follows the divorce of workaholic business executive Ted Kramer and his wife Joanna, while examining the profound impact their separation has on their young son and their ideologies around co-parenting. It chronicles the intense custody battle between the warring Kramers and the character assassinations both Ted and Joanna are subjected to during the ensuing conflict.
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Kramer vs. Kramer Is as Biting as It Is Controversial
The production of the picture was infamously controversial, as Hoffman was accused of harassing Streep due to his method approach to acting, resulting in a contentious atmosphere on set and tension between the two; regardless, both stars walked away with Oscars for their moving performances. The film itself would also win a pair of Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
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5 The Verdict (1982)
The Verdict
R
Drama
Documentary
- Release Date
- December 8, 1982
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Cast
- Paul Newman , Charlotte Rampling , Jack Warden , James Mason , Milo O'Shea , Lindsay Crouse
Revered leading man Paul Newman is a force to be reckoned with as a struggling alcoholic lawyer in the 1982 drama The Verdict, in which he portrays ambulance-chasing attorney Frank Galvin as he opts to take on a monumental medical malpractice case. He does so in the hope of regaining his self-respect and finally making a difference in his field.
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The Verdict's Screenplay Is Incredible
Adapted from the Barry Reed novel of the same name, the project was highly sought after in Hollywood due to the overwhelming strength of the lead character, with fellow actors like Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Dustin Hoffman all having expressed interest in the role before Newman was ultimately cast. The Verdict was both a critical and commercial hit, earning five Oscar nominations — including Best Picture and Best Director — before landing on the Writers Guild of America's ranking of the "101 Greatest Screenplays Ever Written" list.
4 Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
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The superb James Stewart is a small-town lawyer on a mission to set his client free and discover the truth in the 1959 riveting crime drama Anatomy of a Murder, centering on the murder of an innkeeper by a US Army Lieutenant who claims he committed the act after his wife was sexually assaulted by the man. The fascinating flick (with a brilliant Duke Ellington score) was based on the Robert Traver of the same name, as well as a 1952 case in which an insanity defense, known as an irresistible impulse, was used by a lieutenant accused of murder.
One of the Best Courtroom Dramas Ever Made
Anatomy of a Murder was celebrated by both educational and legal professionals as well as critics for its taut storytelling and multi-layered performances, with Empire Magazine declaring, "It's simply the best trial movie ever made." Praise for the film also extends to its ambiguity, with its utilization of language deemed controversial at the time broadening the spectrum of what film could accomplish while paving the way for future courtroom dramas.
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3 Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Marlene Dietrich is downright devious as the cold and callous wife of a man accused of murder in the thrilling 1957 legal mystery Witness for the Prosecution, adapted from the Agatha Christie classic. The film follows the gentle Leonard Vole as he is indicted for the death of a prominent socialite and must depend on the testimony of his cruel wife Christine to supply his alibi. When Christine stumbles upon a loophole, she instead opts to testify against her husband, leading to a shocking showdown between the married couple.
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Witness for the Prosecution Perfected a Tense Twist
The exciting drama's surprise ending was kept under wraps upon its release, with a voiceover during the credits urging moviegoers to keep the outcome a secret for those who have yet to see it; director Billy Wilder even kept the actors in the dark about the way Witness for the Prosecution would conclude, waiting until the shooting day to make the reveal. Underneath this novelty is a genuinely compelling courtroom drama, with Marlene Dietrich being a genuine highlight.
2 12 Angry Men (1957)
Widely regarded as one of the finest films ever made, the intriguing 1957 courtroom drama 12 Angry Men chronicles the efforts and struggles of a New York City jury as they must decide whether an impoverished 18-year-old should be found guilty in the death of his abusive father. Henry Fonda is fantastic as sympathetic juror Davis, who is initially the only person to vote "not guilty" and question the authenticity of the evidence presented during the trial. Davis' lack of making a snap judgment causes the other men to more thoroughly examine the facts and their prejudices.
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12 Angry Men Was Highly Influential
12 Angry Men has been lauded as a cinematic classic, while also revered for its impact on both the legal genre and storytelling as a whole. Its acclaim is nearly universal, with the picture currently holding a 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score. Its popularity has secured it several parodies and adaptations in a variety of mediums, with episodes of sitcoms like Family Guy and King of the Hill condensing the film's plot into a 22-minute television episode.
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1 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill A Mockingbird
Approved
Crime
Drama
- Release Date
- December 25, 1962
- Director
- Robert Mulligan
- Cast
- Gregory Peck , John Megna , Frank Overton , Rosemary Murphy , Ruth White , Brock Peters
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The great Gregory Peck rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Actor when he appeared as the kind and determined Atticus Finch in the 1962 masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird, recounting the lawyer's efforts to defend a Black man from manufactured sexual assault charges in the rural town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. The film also marked the acting debuts of Robert Duvall and Alice Ghostley.
To Kill a Mockingbird Is a Legendary Story
The remarkable picture is adapted from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and went on to resonate with both critics and audiences alike, earning six times its budget at the box office and winning three Academy Awards. Peck's commanding performance as the legendary literary character Finch is without a doubt one of the greatest of all time, with the actor becoming synonymous with the role.
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In the mood for even more crime-centric content? If so, why not check out our picks for the best of the best crime movies that were released in 2023?
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