Top 10 Courtroom Movies – Legal Thrillers for you to Binge Watch This Weekend

All time classics you can watch with your family!

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best lawyer movies

Need some recommendations for good lawyer movies? and why not? There is nothing more exciting than courtroom drama where lawyers are at each others throat trying to prove their client’s innocence and the jury’s decision will bring salvation to one and ruin to the other. Such high stakes lawyer movies are always able to capture the attention of audiences across all age groups.

Best Lawyer Movies of All Time (IMO)

Some law-based movies are deadly serious, a few debate moral values faced by lawyers in their daily life and others are simply hilarious. Whether you’re looking for serious law and justice movies or want to have a few laughs, here is the list of best lawyer movies for you to watch during your down time.

Also Read:

1. Liar-Liar

best Lawyer movies
Movie Released On18 March 1997
Directed ByTom Shadyac
StarringJim Carrey as Fletcher Reede
Maura Tierney as Audrey Reede
Justin as Max Reede
GenresComedy, fantasy
Box Office$302.7 million
IMDB Ratings6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes82%
Available OnGoogle Play, Amazon & iTunes

Synopsis

This is one of the best lawyer movies by comedian Jim Carrey. The movie isn’t totally based on the courtroom but the story is about a lawyer who never speaks the truth and a son who makes a wish for his father to stop lying, which puts the lawyer into hot water.

Critical Review

The bond between the father and his son makes this movie quite endearing. Honestly, the acting of Jim Carrey and Justin Cooper is next level. If you’re in a bad mood then watching this movie will surely cheer you up.

Did You Know?

  • The filmmakers of liar liar were inspired from another movie named Big and decided to produce this one.
  • Leading role of this movie was first offered to Robin wailliams (late)
  • Jim carrey actually got hurt in the bathroom scene.

2. My Cousin Vinny

My Cousin Vinny
Movie Released On March 13, 1992
Directed ByJonathan Lynn
StarringJoe as Vinny
Ralph as Billy
Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito
Genres Comedy & Crime
Box Office$64.1 million
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Available On Amazon Prime & HBO Max

Synopsis

This is one of the best lawyer comedy movie of all time. The story is about Vinny, an inexperienced car injury lawyer who decided to defend his cousin named Billy and his friend Stan charged with murder.

Critical Review

If you love crime movies involving comedy and fun, watch it now. This is a 90’s classic masterpiece with funny and amazing dialogues plus sounds more real than reel. It shows a great bonding between Tomei and Pesci, both have impressive acting during the whole movie.

Did You Know?

  • The movie is inspired from a law student who failed at the bar more than 13 times
  • There is no place like Beechum country, it is totally fictional
  • The courtroom scene was filmed in summer and the temperature of that area was 100 degree
  • During early days of shooting, producers wanted to remove Marisa Tomei but later on she worked hard and proved to them that keeping her was the right decision

3. The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker
Movie Released On November 18, 1997
Directed ByFrancis Ford Coppola
StarringMatt Damon as Rudy Baylor
Danny Devito as Deck Shifflet
Claire Danes as Kelly Riker
Genres Drama
Box Office$45.9 million
IMDB Rating7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes82%
Available On Prime video & Redbox
Adapted fromNovel by John Grisham

Synopsis

The second movie on our list of best lawyer movies is about Rudy, a struggling new attorney who works for a shady lawyer. He is trying to fight a corrupt insurance company which is refusing to pay his client’s claim. The claim could help save the life of a young boy on the hospital bed.

Critical Review

This is an amazing movie where Matt Damon is winning hearts with his charming acting skills. It has an incredible screenplay and a superb story. If you want to kill time by watching something great then go for this one.

Did You Know?

  • Do you remember the scene where Matt Damon was wokeen up by Danny Devito? It was filmed in great hurry because Damon had really fallen asleep.
  • Danny was wearing prosthetic teeth to get a more prominent smile.
  • Edward Norton wanted to get the role of Rudy Baylor but was unsuccessful

4. I am Sam

I am Sam
Movie Released On December 3, 2001
Directed ByJessie Nelson
StarringSean Penn as Sam
Dakota fanning as Lucy
Michelle Pfeiffer as Rita Harrison
Genres Melodrama, Romance & fatherhood
Box Office$97.8million
IMDB Rating7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes35%
Available On Amazon Instant videos & Netflix

Synopsis

The movie is about Sam who has autism and his adopted daughter. He fights to retain her custody in court. It is undoubtedly one of the best lawyer movies full of melodrama, struggle, and an over all emotional roller-coaster.

Critical Review

The movie shows how fatherhood changes a man who was suffering from cognitive disabilities. Filmmakers have also blended amazing music in the movie.

Did You Know?

  • The movie was inspired from a true story about a disabled father
  • This is the favorite movie of Nicolas Sarkozy (Ex-President of France).
  • Bollywood also made a copy of this movie starring Ajay Devgan named “Mai Aisa Hi Hoon”.
  • Dakota fanning has a disabled aunt not only in reel life but in real life too.

5. Judgment at Nuremberg

Judgment at Nuremberg
Movie Released On December 14, 1961
Directed ByStanley Kramer
Genres War and drama
Box Office$10 million
IMDB Rating8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Available On Prime Video
Adapted fromThe trials of former Nazi leaders after world war 2

Synopsis

Another law-based somber and thought-provoking movie. We place it fourth in our list of best lawyer movies due to its excellent excellent reception world over. The story is about four German judges who were the heads during the Nazi regime, and the charges on them about crimes against humanity.

Did You Know?

  • Spencer tray prophesized about Maximillian Schell, when he was shooting the first scene. He said, this man will surely get an Oscar for this picture and his words rang true.
  • Maximillian Schell set history by wining Oscar on the lowest-billed lead category.
  • Right after the end of this movie, people who were imprisoned during Nuremberg trials were released.

6. Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can
Movie Released On December 25, 2002
Directed BySteven Spielberg
StarringLeonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr
Tom Hanks as Carl
Amy Adams as Brenda strong
Genres Suspense & Drama
Box Office$352.1 million
IMDB Rating8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Available On Amazon prime & Google Play
Adapted fromCatch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake

Synopsis

This story is about Frank, who amazes the world with his power of deception. He works as a lawyer, doctor, and co-pilot and defrauds nearly a million dollars all before his 18th birthday.

Critical Review

If you’re looking for a bad lawyer movie where a lawyer is indulged in criminal activities instead of serving justice, then this is simply the best movie for you.

Did You Know?

  • Frank abagnale on whom this book was based on stated that “ the movie is bit exaggerated and it’s just a movie do not take this as a biographical documentary of mine”
  • Before steven, tons of people has starting directing this movie but end up making another movies
  • In real, Abagnale never met his father again after he ran away but steven changes it a bit
  • Fun fact is, the cast shooted in more than 140 location within 52 days

7. To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird
Movie Released OnDecember 25, 1962
Directed ByRobert Mulligan
StarringGregory as Atticus finch
mary as scout finch
Phillip as Jem Finch
Genres Drama & Mystery
Box Office$13.1 million
IMDB Rating8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Available On Amazon instant videos & Google Play
Adapted fromTo Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Synopsis

The story is about Atticus finch, his widowed father, and a lawyer who defends a black man named Tom Robinson accused of raping a white woman.

Critical Review

It is one of the best lawyer movies ever made. The movie is a complete beauty with excellent cast, incredible acting, and focused on the main issues that black people faced for ages. Moreover, the voice of a lawyer against injustice is something that wins the heart.

Did You Know?

  • The production cost of this movie were $2 Million and it ended up earning almost $13 Million.
  • James Anderson behavior was way too mean not only in movie but on the set too. During a scene, Anderson pulled Phillip Afford’s hair brutally and then dragged him out with him.
  • This was the debut movie of Mary Badham. She loved the acting experience so much that she screwed up her lines purposely just to delay the production.

8. The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer
Movie Released On March 10, 2011
Directed ByBrad Furman
StarringMathew as Mickey
Marisa as Maggie
Ryan Phillippe as Louis
Genres Mystery / Thriller
Box Office$87.1 million
IMDB Rating7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes83%
Available On Google Play & Amazon Instant videos
Adapted FromNovel series based on fictional lawyer Mickey Haller

Synopsis

It is one of the best lawyer movies. The story revolves around a man named Mick Haller, who is a famous defense lawyer. He lands the case of Louis Roulet, a playboy of Beverly hills and son of a wealthy realtor accused of raping and killing a prostitute.

Critical Review

If you want to spend your Monday watching a decent movie then watch this. The movie is fast paced and will keeps you hooked till the end. Moreover, McConaughey who is notorious for his villainous roles, looks incredible portraying such a quality character in this movie.

Did You Know?

  • Michael choose McConaughey due to his performance in Tropic thunder
  • In 2014, Mcconaughey was choosen by Lincoln cars as a spokesman

9. Anatomy of a Murder

anatomy of a murder
Movie Released On July 1, 1959
Directed ByOtto Preminger
StarringJames as Paul Biegler
Lee as Laura
Ben as lieutenant Fredrick
Genres Crime & Mystery
Box Office$8 million
IMDB Rating8/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Available On Netflix & Amazon prime

Synopsis

Here is another courtroom that made its way to our list of best lawyer movies. This is about a lawyer named Paul Biegler who defends a lieutenant accused of murder. Watch the movie to find out if Michigan will win the case or not.

Did You Know?

  • James Stewart’s father got offended from this film and named it a “dirty picture”
  • The movie has seen it’s due share of controversy due to the foul language used in it
  • The movie is banned in Chicago, IL

10. Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution
Movie Released On December 17, 1957
Directed ByBilly Wilder
StarringMarlene as Christine
Charles Laughton as Wilfrid
Tyrone power as Leonard
Genres Mystery & Drama
Box Office$9 million
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Available On Google play & Amazon instant videos
Adapted fromPlay by Agatha Christie

Synopsis

Leonard gets arrested against the murder charge of a wealthy older woman and a legendary lawyer named Wilfrid decides to defend him but something unexpected happens.

Did You Know?

  • It was first shown in London to the royal family and they promised to not reveal the ending.
  • Marlene underwent several plastic surgeries and used a wig in the production.

What Say You Members Of The Jury?

Was the list able to cover all the top lawyer movies that you wished to watch? Did we miss an important one? Which one is your favorite? Do let us know in the comments below!

Images from: Wikimedia Commons

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Omer is a bibliophile, history buff, anime enthusiast, and an aspiring blogger. He can often be found engaged in discussions on current affairs, both political and economic, over a cup of tea. His current interests revolve around researching the impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning on our society.