What’s the recipe for gripping courtroom drama movies? Unending plot twists? Sweetly giving the bad guy justice? The corrupt legal system?
We have made the perfect list of must-watch courtroom drama movies from fiction to real life; there’s everything for a cinephile to choose from.
Must Watch Courtroom Drama Movies
Legal dramas are a common theme in many films; they are riveting, thought-provoking, and gripping. As a result, many courtroom drama movies have attempted to showcase the judicial system. The films in this list are well-known classics and some foreign films that went unnoticed.
Jai Bhim (2021)
IMDB – 9.4/10, Reviews
The plot of ‘Jai Bhim’ is set on actual events around the life of Justice Chandru. The film showcases the absolute truth of caste discrimination along with the ugly side of it. Many who are in jail don’t even get the chance to prove their innocence. Moreover, the treatment they get inside is highly appalling.
Director Gnanavel focuses the first half of the film on the lifestyle of the tribal people. He shows how they don’t even have enough to live by and are often innocent. After that, however, the disturbing experience after the crime scene takes over and is not for the faint-hearted as the police brutality becomes increasingly distressing.
Jolly LLB 2 (2017)
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
Jolly is a lawyer but is clumsy by nature. He is now in charge of the most significant case of his career after he steps into court to defend a helpless woman. ‘Jolly LLB 2’ is much like the previous one by keeping all the basic emotions intact when showcasing justice.
The writing is tight-knit, keeping the plot alive and the narrative quite crisp. The protagonist’s story keeps the audience’s attention throughout as we witness the rise of an underdog.
While the film’s first half is slow and feels longer than it is, the second half makes up for it with a thrilling story. Watching Jolly serve justice by defending the victim and her husband brings tears to the eyes—all in all, a genuinely well-done courtroom drama movie.
The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
IMDB – 7.5/10, Reviews
The plot revolves around Kevin Lomax, a young attorney in Florida known for his ruthlessness as he never lost a case. However, the most powerful law firm in the world hires him subsequently because of his track record.
Despite his mother’s disagreement, Kevin accepts the contract and the money that comes with it. In the meantime, his wife is apparitions of devils and feels homesick. But Kevin fails to notice this as he diverts his complete attention to the new case at hand.
With this win, Kevin wants to show John Milton, his mentor and boss, his worth, as Kevin always freaks seeing John’s ability to overcome any problem. One of the best courtroom drama movies to watch.
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Bill Gambini and Stanley Rothsenstein study together at New York University. First, the friends get a piece of good news as they receive their scholarships to UCLA. Next, Bill and Stanley drive to their location through the south. Upon reaching Alabama, they visit a local convenience store to have some food.
To their bewilderment, both of them are taken in as soon as they step out of the store. Initially, they thought they were being caught for shoplifting, but they were being taken to prison for robbery and murder instead.
In addition to the execution set for them, the worst is yet to come. Unfortunately, both of them don’t have enough money for a decent lawyer who can get them out of this situation. Vincent Laguardia Gambini, Bill’s cousin, is a lawyer in his family.
The bad news is Vincent doesn’t have any experience as a lawyer as he has never been to a trial. So To defend his clients, Vincent has to fight an adamant judge, angry locals, and even his fiancee. One of the must-watch movies with courtrooms.
The Trial Of Chicago 7 (2020)
IMDB – 7.8/10, Reviews
Set in Chicago in 1968, the plot revolves around the Democratic Party Convention and the protestors. Tom Hayden led the moderate students for a Democratic Society, while Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin led the Yippies.
Violent confrontations occur with the local authorities, due to which seven leaders are in prison on charges of conspiracy. The hostile Nixon administration is relentless and arrests Bobby Seale, who was not innocent with the incident, but with the Black Panthers.
An unfair trial ensues with Judge Hoffman presiding and Richard Schultz, a reluctant prosecutor. Hayden and his fellows are on edge because of the antics done by the Yippies.
Their defense is getting constantly undermined as the system is defiant. Seale doesn’t even get a chance to defend himself. The Chicago 7 continues arguing amongst themselves, but they soon realize they need each other to get out of this mess. One of the best courtroom movies to watch.
Just Mercy (2019)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
A true story, ‘Just Mercy’ provokes thought. The plot follows Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer known for his epic court case that made history for justice.
Bryan got a lot of lucrative job offers as he graduated from Harvard. But instead, Bryan chooses to help those wrongly accused and heads to Alabama to work with Eva Ansley.
His first case creates tides in the world as he takes on the case of Walter McMillian, sentenced to death for the murder of an 18-year-old girl. As Bryan gets deep into the case, he uncovers a labyrinth of lies and political maneuverings to escape justice. He fights for the innocent while having the system as his enemy.
Belle (2013)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
Dido Elizabeth Belle is an illegitimate and mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy captain. Belle lives a comfortable life as the one raising her is Lord William Murray, her aristocratic great uncle and the 1st Earl of Mansfield.
Belle enjoys a particular bit of freedom and set of privileges due to her lineage, but still, her skin color creates an issue. She’s left wondering if she’ll ever find true love until she meets a young vicar’s son who’s a messenger of change.
They help transition Lord Mansfield as the Lord Chief Justice, who eventually ends slavery in England. One of the best legal drama movies to watch.
Bridge of Spies (2015)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
James B. Donovan is a lawyer who began working for the C.I.A. during the cold war. He soon gets going on an intense mission for negotiating about the release of Francis G. Powers, a pilot for the C.I.A. spy plane U-2.
Francis was taken in alive after the Soviet Union took down his plane during a mission.
During his capture, he stayed with Rudolf Abel, a K.G.B. intelligence officer arrested in the U.S. for espionage. One of the best movies with courtrooms.
A Few Good Men (1992)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
The dramatic courtroom thriller follows a Navy lawyer, LT Daniel Kaffee. He has never stepped inside a courtroom but steps up to save two stubborn marines charged with the murder of their colleague.
Kaffee is a lazy lawyer, so he sets up a plea bargain. Commander Galloway represents Downey after his Aunt Ginny appoints him and with him LTJG Sam Weinberg. The team collects many facts, with Kaffee finding out that he can shine in trial work.
The defense argued that Code Red was a code name for P.F.C. Santiago. This meant that Santiago was a failure, and at Gitmo, failures are cast away. While in Cuba, Kaffee gets help from two senior officers, including Colonel Nathan Jessup. In the end, the film concludes with confrontations between Jessup and Kaffee.
12 Angry Men (1957)
IMDB – 9.0/10, Reviews
The case is over, defense and prosecution have presented their side, and now it’s time for the jury to announce their decision. The jury starts entering one by one in the jury room to decide the punishment of the young man for murdering his father.
Supposed to be a clear-cut case of murder soon becomes an intriguing detective story. The clues are coming to light slowly and changing every person’s perception while attacking the prejudices and preconceptions of the jurors. Finally, the jury becomes a grand stage for each character to perform their best—one of the best courtroom movies to watch.
Liar Liar (1997)
IMDB – 6.9/10, Reviews
The plot revolves around Fletcher Reede, a habitual liar and an attorney known for fast-talking. Fletcher is a divorced father who built his career through deceptive lies.
He gives his job the utmost prominence and often breaks promises to Max, his young son. Fletcher lets Max down in the most heartbreaking way by forgetting his son’s birthday party.
Max wishes for his father to be an honest man and wishes for an entire day where his father couldn’t lie. But, alas, the desire comes true, and Fletcher has no control over himself. What ensues is a ride full of hiccups.
Primal Fear (1996)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
Aaron is an innocent young man, yet many think he was behind the death of Archbishop Rushman. But, to his surprise, Martin Vail, the famous Chicago lawyer, takes over his defense free of charge. Aaron lived on the streets as a kid before the Archbishop took him in.
Martin Vail, a hotshot Chicago lawyer, becomes the free lawyer for Aaron, who is on trial for killing Archbishop Rushman. The Archbishop took in Aaron when he was a homeless street kid. He’s a shy kid who often stutters while speaking. After watching a video that shows Aaron may want to kill the Archbishop, Vail starts questioning Aaron’s innocence.
Soon after, Roy, another personality, comes out after Aaron gets angry at the psychologist who was examining him. With the case already ongoing, Vail cannot change the plea. He must find a way to introduce his client and his peculiar condition. In the meanwhile, Aaron hides more surprises.
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
Atticus Finch is a great lawyer and father to his son and daughter despite his wife passing away. Tom Robinson, a black man suspected of raping a white woman, is subject to his defense one day.
Realizing Tom is innocent and that because of racial discrimination, he is facing a hefty sentence, Finch couldn’t back down. He knew the people in the town with narrow minds would target him, and they did.
The townspeople started making his life hectic and agonizing. However, the story develops in pure thoughts from innocent children and an inspirational father. It is a must-watch movie for all age groups as it imparts priceless lessons to all who are perceptive.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
IMDB – 8.0/10, Reviews
Barney Quill, a bartender, is dead because of Frederick Manion, a lieutenant in the army. Frederick, in his defense, claims that Barney raped and beat up his wife.
Although his wife Laura supports Frederick’s story, the local newspaper prints that the police surgeon found no such evidence, Paul Biegler, a humble lawyer from a small town, is in charge of defending Manion.
During his investigations, Paul finds that Fredrick is quite possessive and that his wife has a habit of flirting with other men. Biegler realizes the prosecution will go after them using this information. They will try to make the court think that Laura was drunk and was with Barney when his husband found her, killed the bartender, and beat her up. Paul knows the case, but he must discover crucial evidence to defend his client.
Philadelphia (1993)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
Andrew Beckett conceals his sexual orientation and HIV status out of fear of compromising his career at a powerful law firm in Philadelphia. But soon, a colleague figures out his secret because of telltale signs.
Andrew decides to sue the company for discrimination and teams up with the only lawyer willing to stand up for him, Joe Miller. Together they face Belinda Conine in court, one of the top litigators of his ex-employers.
Philadelphia, by Jonathan Demme, sheds light on the cruelties of the world and the stark truth that’s not often shown in mainstream cinema. The film is a staggering take on an emotional issue.
Inherit The Wind (1960)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
B.T. Cates, a teacher is teaching Darwin’s theories, and because of that, he is in prison. Henry Drummond is a famous lawyer who agrees to defend him while Matthew Brady, a fundamentalist politician, becomes the prosecutor.
This movie is a good retelling of the 1925 Monkey Trial. Unfortunately, the debate between Clarence Darrow and Jennings Bryan was taken from the transcripts.
The film might be about the events in 1925, but the characters in the debate can still be found in the streets today.
People of various shades live around the world. The characters give a fantastic performance, especially the courtroom scenes.
In The Name Of The Father (1993)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
The story revolves around Gerry Conlon, a young Belfastian. Gerry was in no way a model citizen and, while in London, also did some petty robbery. But now, he is being accused of playing a role in the bombing inside Guildford Pub in 1974.
Gerry admits he was in London during the incident, which led to the death of many, but he pleads innocence. Despite being a non-political person, Gerry and three others get the name, Guildford Four. As a result, everyone thinks they are members of the I.R.A.
Despite signing the statement of guilt, they plead innocence and argue they were made to sign under duress. They have usable alibis for when the bombing took place, and eventually, a known I.R.A. member admits to being the culprit.
But to no avail, Gerry’s family, even his father, are primary suspects of being accessories to the bombing. Gerry works to prove his innocence and gets help from Gareth Peirce, a compassionate lawyer. Together they face many obstacles along the way.
Shahid (2012)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
The plot is based on a true story involving the murder of Shahid Azmi, a human rights activist and lawyer. Shahid began his journey by becoming a terrorist, only caught and held under draconian anti-terrorism laws.
After that, he becomes a criminal lawyer. The movie follows the inspiring journey of a young kid who became an unlikely messiah for human rights amidst India’s rise in communal violence.
His personal story shows the peak of the human spirit by rising above the communal violence, injustice, and inequality he faced for being an impoverished Muslim.
Judgment At Nuremberg (1961)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
It has been three years since the most influential leaders in Nazi were in court for their crimes. The trial this time around is regarding the four judges who used their offices to establish Nazi cleansing policies and sterilization.
Dan Haywood, a retired American judge, has a long and daunting task ahead of him. The Cold War intensifies day by day, and no one wants to invest time in trials. Germany and the Allied power are trying everything to forget the past. But the question that the tribunal must ask is whether to keep the trial ongoing or not.
A sad yet powerful film that gives goosebumps to its viewers. The plot is well written and often makes one question and ponder the meaning of justice—one of the must-watch courtroom drama movies.
Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2012)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
Lee Yong-gu is not stable mentally and works as a parking staff in the shopping center where he lives with Ye-sung, his six-year-old daughter. However, he never lets his medical condition come in the way of their relationship as a father and daughter.
One day they come together to a peculiar event where Lee is thrown in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering a high-rank police officer’s daughter. Soon he is sent to jail, where he awaits the verdict. Yong-gu gets the death penalty, which means Ye-sung has to drop out of school and live in an orphanage.
Lee is given cell number 7, where five other inmates are also living. After spending time with Yong-gu, the other inmates realize that he is innocent and agree to help him. His daughter was sent inside the jail to be with her father. Seeing all this, the warden has a change of heart and starts a plan to save Yong-gu.
Capernaum (2018)
IMDB – 8.4/10, Reviews
Capernaum is the story of Zain, a young Lebanese boy who sues his parents for giving birth to him. The plot follows Zain as he begins his journey as a street smart kid to becoming a hardened adult at mere 12 years of age.
Zain fled from his negligent parents and lived on the streets alone using his wits. Then, on a chance encounter, he met Rahil, a migrant worker from Ethiopia. Zain takes care of Rahil’s baby in exchange for shelter and food.
Later in life, Zain is in prison because of a violent crime and seeks justice in court with no means of escape. The film contains minimum dialog, letting the plot weave its magic by pulling strings at heart. ‘Capernaum’ is an excellent character study and an ingenious take on many ghastly crimes, making it one of the best courtroom drama movies.
Witness For The Prosecution (1957)
IMDB – 8.4/10, Reviews
Once again, Sir Wilfrid Robarts has to enter a courtroom despite his ill health. As Leonard Vole’s attorney, he must defend him against charges of murdering a rich woman. But what he didn’t know was that this unusual case would become the most eventful murder case of his career.
Robarts agrees to help him, and the two soon find themselves at odds when Christine, Leonard’s cold-hearted wife, appears to testify against her husband in court. The film is a masterpiece when it comes to human maneuvering.
The plot is excellent, and the acting is exquisite, which enriches this Agatha Christie story. With also some funny subplots, the film becomes one of the best courtroom drama movies for everyone.
Close-Up (1990)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
‘Close-up’ is a unique movie as half of the plot is in the form of a documentary while the other half is reenacted by the actual people involved with the incident. Kiarostami found out about this story through a magazine article.
With no doubt in his findings, Kiarostami geared up to make this movie. The whole film was shot in mere 40 days. After Kiarostami begins the movie, the events are shown as a documentary, while the actual people reenact the events before.
The movie also gives a rare look inside the functioning of the Iranian Court system after the revolution.
Jolly LLB (2013)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Rahul Dewan is the son of a highly successful business tycoon and has the best lawyer Rajpal, defending him in a hit and run case. Jolly, a small-time lawyer living in Delhi with his uncle, wants to become a top lawyer and considers Rajpal his idol.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jolly files a case against Rahul Dewan and confronts Rajpal. A long-drawn-out battle ensues between the two, turning Rajpal heads over heels and making Jolly shine.
It has been one of the best courtroom drama movies to watch in Bollywood.
Wrapping Up
Courtroom drama movies are often full of twists, drama, and emotional scenes in challenging situations. Most courtroom movies are of the drama genre but many times are lighter than a typical drama film and at the same time quite enjoyable too. We hope you enjoyed the list and found the best movies you were looking for.
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