You can’t have a good story without drama, conflict, and high stakes. A movie set in the courtroom is the perfect location to achieve these elements. Courtroom dramas may sometimes lack violence or explosions, but they make up for it with dialogue and drama. Creating a good film that is dialogue-based is no easy feat. A writer has to incorporate all the dramatic themes through the lines that the actors speak. Law and order are a part of life, for better or for worse. Justice is the fabric of our society and without it, we couldn’t function. Throughout the years, Hollywood has produced several films based on lawyers, judges, and courtrooms.
You don’t have to be a lawyer to appreciate a good courtroom drama. The circumstances and conflicts that happen in a courtroom can be just as exciting as in a high-stakes action film. Acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has been writing lawyer films for decades and has given us riveting stories like A Few Good Men and The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Many of the courtroom films we see are based on true stories that have shaped our society and told accounts of brave people fighting for justice. Although justice might not always prevail, it is up to our lawyers and judges to use the law to fight for the rights of individuals. In our current society, we see every day the importance of civil rights and justice. Here are the best lawyer films of all time.
Updated, August 2022: To keep the article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Rafa Boladeras.
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13 Legally Blonde
MGM Distribution Co.
Based on a novel by Amanda Brown, Legally Blonde is the story of Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a sorority queen who becomes a Harvard Law student to get back her boyfriend. Elle is not your typical lawyer; more known for her dresses than her work. And that makes people underestimate her, which is a big mistake. Although still not a lawyer, Elle plays a pivotal role in solving a murder case, proving that you shouldn’t judge a book by its covers. Luke Wilson, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Selma Blair also star.
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12 Primal Fear
Paramount Pictures
Primal Fear stars Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a dedicated lawyer defending Aaron, a former altar boy who might have murdered an archbishop. But it’s not that simple, as Aaron (Edward Norton in his first role ever) might also have dissociative identity disorder, so he could have done it without even knowing or remembering it. Norton steals every scene he’s in, showing from his first role that he was going to be a big star, as he was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award.
11 The Verdict
20th Century Fox
The Verdict tells the story of Frank Galvin (Paul Newman), a washed-up, alcoholic, attorney on his last legs. As a favor to a friend, he gets one last case. Everybody thinks he should settle, but he decides to go to trial in this medical malpractice case. Galvin decides that some cases are too important, and if he wins the trial and finds justice, he might even redeem himself. Newman gives an incredible performance (like he always does) in this movie full of stars on both sides of the camera; as it’s directed by Sydney Lumet, written by David Mamet, and stars Newman, Charlotte Rampling, and Jack Warden.
10 The Lincoln Lawyer
Lionsgate
Matthew McConaughey plays Mick Haller, a defense attorney who works out of the back of his Lincoln. After a wealthy man named Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillip) is accused of assault, he seeks help from Haller to prove his innocence. The Lincoln Lawyer is an underrated lawyer film that is carried by McConaughey’s charming performance (as it was proved when the new TV series didn’t do well without him). The cast also included William H. Macy and Marisa Tomei.
9 My Cousin Vinny
My Cousin Vinny is a great example of how a lawyer film can be turned into a comedy. Joe Pesci plays Vinny Gambini, an inexperienced, unconventional attorney from New York who helps his cousin Bill (Ralph Macchio), after he is wrongly convicted of murder. Vinny doesn’t fit in well in the small Southern town, and he is constantly being reprimanded by Judge Haller (Fred Gwynne). Marisa Tomei would go on to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her fantastic performance.
8 Erin Brockovich
Universal Pictures
Steven Soderbergh directed the true story of the single mother-turned-legal assistant who brings down a California power company that had been polluting the town’s water supply. Julia Roberts gives one of her best performances in the lead role and won an Oscar for Best Actress. Brockovich was an important figure, and she is still fighting for the rights of others to this day. The film is a true underdog story that is both inspirational and empowering.
7 Amistad
DreamWorks Pictures
This 1997 film directed by Steven Spielberg tells the story of a United States attorney, Roger Sherman Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), who must learn to communicate with a group of slaves, so he can prove their freedom. Amistad is based on true accounts and features a fantastic cast including Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, and Djimon Hounsou. The triumphant film is a great example of how courts can change the world.
6 The Firm
Tom Cruise stars in this courtroom drama from acclaimed filmmaker Sydney Pollack. The story follows Mitch McDeere (Cruise), a young lawyer who joins a prestigious law firm only to discover that the firm is filled with corruption. It is a fantastic lawyer film that tackles moral dilemmas and being on the right side of justice. The film also includes Gene Hackman, Holly Hunter, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.
5 To Kill A Mockingbird
Robert Mulligan directed the adaptation of Harper Lee’s beloved novel. Gregory Peck gives a career-defining performance as Atticus Finch. The film was made in 1962 and tells the story of Finch as he defends an African-American man (Brock Peters) in Depression-era Alabama, while also incorporating those values to his children. The story is a case study of morals and civil rights and one of the best movies about the subject. It was a landmark film that opened the world’s eyes to the importance of fighting against racial prejudice.
4 Kramer Vs. Kramer
Columbia Pictures
Kramer Vs. Kramer is one of the greatest showcases of talent in cinematic history. The story follows Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) in a custody battle with his wife (Meryl Streep) over their young son Billy (Justin Henry). The heart of the story is the transformation of Ted as he has to learn to balance his work and caring for his son after his wife leaves him. The heartbreaking film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
3 12 Angry Men
United Artists
Acclaimed filmmaker Sidney Lumet directed this classic film that follows twelve jurors attempting to reach the verdict in a murder trial. The film is a showcase of talent in all the attributes of filmmaking. The acting, direction, and cinematography are all top-notch in this riveting drama. For a movie to engage the audience from beginning to end, while taking place in a single room, is no easy feat. 12 Angry Men was nominated for three Oscars and takes the #5 spot in IMDB’s top 250 movies of all time.
2 Philadelphia
TriStar Pictures
Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia was a landmark film that showcased the brutality of AIDS, with Tom Hanks in the leading role. Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a homosexual attorney with AIDS, who is suing a prestigious law firm for firing him under illegal circumstances. Denzel Washington plays his attorney, Joe Miller, and the two fight for justice in this thought-provoking film. Jonathan Demme’s direction shines throughout the film and the performances are unforgettable.
1 A Few Good Men
Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed screenplay worked brilliantly on the big screen. The film follows Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise in one of his best dramatic roles) as he defends two Marines who are accused of murder, claiming that they were under orders. A Few Good Men showcases brilliant performances and memorable lines from start to finish. The all-star cast also includes Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, and Demi Moore.
