Court cases and the justice system can captivate people, whether it’s the O.J. Simpson trial or Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s testimonies. While it’s hard to replicate the intensity of an actual court case, many movies capture the complexity, emotion, and nuance of what goes on in front of a judge and jury.
Watching lawyers outwit one another, victims find justice, or secrets exposed in front of a jury is riveting, whether it’s a drama, comedy, documentary, thriller, or other genre.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most iconic courtroom movies that tackles important topics like racism and prejudice. For many, Atticus Finch symbolizes morality, and his steadfastness in the courtroom is inspiring and powerful. Even as decades pass, this film and story remains one of the most compelling courtroom tales.
2. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Courtroom movies that involve murder, kidnapping, assault, and other heinous charges are prevalent, but Kramer vs. Kramer is different. Not everyone understands how awful custody battles and divorce procedures can be, but this movie gives a raw and brutal look at how family cases can be just as taxing on all involved.
3. 12 Angry Men (1957)
While everyone has the right to an impartial jury of their peers, it’s impossible for biases not to play a role in the final verdict. This film gives an unflinching look at the unavoidable humanity of a jury. Rather than focus on the judge and lawyers, the movie highlights the jury’s role in a court case and how one juror can change everything.
4. In Cold Blood (1967)
In Cold Blood is a legal drama based on a sensational Truman Capote novel. Much of the movie involves the criminals fleeing the police, but the courtroom scenes where the lawyers argue for and against capital punishment are impactful. This film not only reels you in but leaves you contemplating aspects of the system long after the credits roll.
5. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Anatomy of a Murder showcases the murkiness that surrounds some trials and crimes. While the justice system is very black-and-white, real life is not, and this film dives into the troublesome gray areas that live within our legal system. This is a thrilling watch for those who want to explore the construct of law itself.
6. A Few Good Men (1992)
In A Few Good Men, Tom Cruise plays a military lawyer who takes a massive risk by investigating a case involving two marines and a commanding officer. The American legal system is complex enough, but military court is even more nuanced and troubling, which this movie shows well.
7. The Verdict (1982)
This movie focuses on the trial following a tragic medical incident where a woman was left comatose after childbirth. The Verdict is a particularly excellent courtroom drama because it offers a mostly realistic portrayal of medical negligence cases and the crisis of faith the legal system can cause people.
8. My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Not every legal drama is heartwrenching and painful. My Cousin Vinny is a brilliant example of how a gripping courtroom film doesn’t have to be wholly serious. This crime comedy features captivating courtroom scenes and interesting legal arguments that are fascinating and fun, albeit not entirely realistic.
9. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
While many legal dramas follow specific cases involving a few people, Judgment at Nuremberg is a powerful film about the legality of particular actions in war. The film is one of the best historical movies ever made, with shocking testimonies, disturbing charges, and a story that is all too real.
10. The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
On the surface, many cases seem straightforward, but The Lincoln Lawyer provides a troubling example of how not every case is as simple as it appears. The film has plenty of twists, turns, and intense courtroom scenes that will leave you wondering how effective our legal system is.
11. Philadelphia (1993)
Philadelphia is an impeccable film that tells the story of a gay and HIV-positive attorney who decides to sue his former law firm for discrimination and wrongful termination. The movie explores the power a verdict can have on society and how people within the justice system utilize their knowledge and experience for good.
12. The Rainmaker (1997)
Who doesn’t love a scrappy underdog story? In The Rainmaker, a green and gritty attorney takes on a massive corporation with all the best lawyers in its corner. The story is fictional, but it accurately highlights the demands put on lawyers to meet certain expectations and cave to pressure concerning ethical dilemmas.
13. Michael Clayton (2007)
Michael Clayton tackles similar issues that attorneys face involving morality. While we like to think that attorneys follow the letter of the law and protect their clients’ best interests, their circumstances are often far more complex than that, leaving them to make hard decisions that significantly affect others.
14. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a riveting historical drama that explores the role of protesting, conspiracies, and more in our democratic country. While the movie takes some artistic liberties, it is a mostly accurate depiction of what happened in 1969, showing viewers the prejudices, secret agendas, and chaos that took place.
15. Erin Brockovich (2000)
The movie Erin Brockovich tells the incredible story of the real Erin Brockovich, a paralegal and activist who changed the landscape of legal battles against corporations. The film shows how some people within the justice system go above and beyond to protect innocent people from the rich and powerful folks who unapologetically abuse them.
16. Changeling (2008)
Changeling is a tragic mystery starring Angelina Jolie as a grief-stricken mother who lost her son. When the LAPD returns her “son” to her, she realizes it is not the same boy. The film, set in the late 1920s, shows the difficulty of finding justice and honest answers in a system dominated by corrupt people.
17. Liar Liar (1997)
If some of these legal dramas are too cruel for you, consider this more lighthearted Jim Carrey film. Liar Liar is about a lawyer who relentlessly twists the truth and breaks his promises until his son’s wish forces him to be honest for a day. The satirical comedy calls into question the morality and honesty of attorneys without getting too preachy or heavy-handed.
18. Marriage Story (2019)
Marriage Story doesn’t wholly take place in a courtroom, but the scenes that do are riddled with compounded feelings and layered statements. As the two main characters struggle with their divorce and custody agreements, questions concerning what they built together throughout marriage come up through a legal lens, turning emotional memories into cold, hard courtroom arguments.
19. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
This courtroom documentary gives you a raw look at the court procedures involving brutal murder and wrongful conviction. Three teenagers, the West Memphis Three, were accused and convicted of killing three young boys, but as the documentary shows, the evidence that sent them to prison does not prove their guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt. This movie may cause you to lose faith in the U.S. justice system.
20. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a unique film that combines a courtroom drama with a horror film. A reverend is prosecuted for murder after performing an exorcism that resulted in a young girl’s death. The movie explores how supernatural beliefs hold up in a court of law.
21. Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear is a layered film that highlights the duality of people from a legal perspective. The movie involves complicated topics like mental illness, religion, vanity, abuse, and more. Movies with a good guy and a bad guy are easy to digest, but this movie features a collection of severely flawed characters with no clear ray of light or innocence.
22. The Accused (1988)
The Accused is a horrifically shocking movie that can be difficult to watch, but the enthralling story is unforgettable. A woman is violently assaulted and seeks justice against her attackers, but it seems the justice system continuously fails her. The movie raises questions about human nature, morality, accountability, and the meaning of justice.
23. Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde is one of the more fun courtroom dramas you can enjoy! Something is so satisfying about watching Elle Woods unravel a testimony using her knowledge of cosmetology, delivering the clever court narrative people want without the brutality and injustice of real life.
24. The Central Park Five (2012)
This crime documentary examines the case of the Central Park Five, five men who were accused and convicted of assaulting a woman. These innocent men spent over a decade in prison, and this movie highlights the prejudices, malice, discrimination, and other factors that led to their wrongful convictions.