My Favourite Courtroom Dramas of All-Time

Few film genres attract audiences to the Cinema like the courtroom drama. Since the 1950’s, the legal genre has made strong movies. Whether it’s lawyers, a few good men or black protestors, the genre has made several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best courtroom dramas ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a legendary book that my teacher has always loved dearly. I remember forming strong bonds with a school teacher admiring a book he considered legendary literature. As charismatic as Atticus Finch, he would always love dicussing an iconic book that he considered to be precious. He would always speak fondly about a famous book that shaped his identity. Through his lifelong love for books about mockingbirds, my teacher inspired me to make film criticism dreams come true. In 1962, my teacher’s favourite book was beautifully adapted to the big-screen in the classic film “To Kill a Mockingbird”. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book, Robert Mulligan’s classic film has stood the test of time as the greatest courtroom drama ever made. Mulligan is one of those filmmakers that always had an aptitude for creating compelling courtroom movies, and “To Kill a Mockingbird” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Atticus delivers his final monologue in court about all men being created equal causing a dilemma remains one of the finest moments of the courtroom genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gregory Peck, who created one of the most iconic lawyers in the courtroom genre. Ultimately, what makes “To Kill a Mockingbird” the greatest legal drama ever made is its enduring appeal. Despite capturing the 1960’s, it tackles themes of racism which remain relevant today. The film delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years following the publication of a book about lawyers fighting racism in a courtroom case, it’s a bold reminder of a memorable genre that has made movies which audiences embrace.

2. A Few Good Men

Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my uncle loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia heartwarming memories of an uncle appreciating the courtroom drama genre. My uncle grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men experienced a courtroom case. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle admiring legal movies about a few good men, I adored “A Few Good Men”. Released in 1992, Rob Reiner’s movie offered a powerful adaptation of a stage play about Guantanamo Bay. Reiner is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for staging emotional monologues in his movies, and “A Few Good Men” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene where Colonel Jessup screams at the top of his lungs that lawyers can’t handle the truth has become one of the greatest moments of the courtroom genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Jack Nicholson, who created a compelling legal villain. Ultimately, what makes “A Few Good Men” a courtroom classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about dangers of government corruption which would resonate with everyone. A powerful adaptation of a strong stage play about Guantanamo Bay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made tmeless movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Philadelphia

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Several years ago, I witnessed a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person my entire family would admire. Unaware he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to care. As someone treasuring fond memories of a gay cousin that faced homophobia, I adored “Philadelphia”. Released in 1993, Jonathan Demme’s movie offered a powerful portrait of LGBTQ communities fighting adversities. Demme is one of those filmmakers that always had an aptitude for creating compelling courtroom dramas, and “Philadelphia” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Joe Miller interrogates Andrew in court asking him to showcase lesions on his body causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the courtroom genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a gay man impacted by AIDS. Ultimately, what makes “Philadelphia” a courtroom masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Andrew’s desire to battle homophobia in Philadelphia, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies which attract audiences to the Cinema.

4. Kramer v. Kramer

Divorce is a devastating process causing families to face stress.  At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage causing damage. I recall the night when she had a heated argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. Following tense legal proceedings, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the painful emotions of divorce as powerfully as “Kramer v. Kramer”. Released in 1979, Robert Benton’s Oscar-winning movie captured consequences of divorce in the courtroom. Benton effectively used intimate close-ups to capture emotions of divorced couples in the courtroom. For instance, the scene in which Joanna has an emotional breakdown shedding tears when she’s forced to admit she caused her marriage’s failure is one of the finest moments of the legal genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, capturing a divorced couple facing despair. Ultimately, what makes “Kramer v. Kramer” a courtroom classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about consequences of terminating a marriage that would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of a broken marriage, it’s a marvellous reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies which engage.

5. The Trial of the Chicago 7

Lawyers have always earned my cousin’s appreciation. I remember forming a strong bond with a cousin that sought to become a famous lawyer. He would always speak fondly about lawyers that fought cases of injustice in American history. Witnessing lawyers defend people in a trial always left him with a lasting smile. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that regarded lawyers with appreciation, I adored “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. Released in 2020, Aaron Sorkin’s movie offered a captivating portrait of a real-life legal trial. Sorkin is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for writing sharp dialogue in his movies, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. For instance, the scene in which Tom Hayden delivers an inspiring speech motivating his protestors facing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the courtroom genre. Ultimately, what makes “The Trial of the Chicago 7” a courtroom classic is its relevance. Despite taking place in the 1960’s, it tackles universal themes of injustice the remain relevant in the world today. Nearly 60 years after the Chicago 7 trial, it’s a riveting reminder of a versatile genre that hasn’t lost style making movies that leave audiences with a smile.

6. Anatomy of a Fall

One of the most common criticisms levelled against the courtroom genre is its melodrama. The genre has often been criticized for capturing lawyers that are overdramatic. Offering escapism, courtroom dramas are rarely rooted in realism. In a genre that has faced a downfall, it’s worth praising “Anatomy of a Fall”. Released in 2023, Justin Triet’s fantastic French courtroom drama captured a murder mystery. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Anatomy of a Fall” stand out is its realism. Triet uses silence to capture a woman accused of murder. Assisted by Sandra Huller who is extraordinary in the lead role, Triet creates a realistic courtroom drama. An awe-inspiring anatomy of a marriage downfall, it’s an astonishing reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to enthral making unforgettable movies that are easy to recall.

7. Dark Waters

When it comes to corporations that have attracted controversy, it’s worth discussing DuPont. In 1998, the corporate lawyer Robert Billot was shocked to discover DuPont had poisoned West Virginia. Billot embarked on a 20-year journey suing the company for causing catastrophe. In 2019, Todd Haynes honoured the true story of the lawyer treading dark waters in his movie “Dark Waters”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Dark Waters” stand out is its depiction of corporate corruption. Haynes uses stunning visuals to capture corporations abusing power causing despair. Assisted by Mark Ruffalo who is excellent in the lead role, Haynes honours a lawyer that fought corruption years ago. Nearly 30 years after a lawyer discovered corporate corruption, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that’s worthy of celebration.

8. Just Mercy

Few African-American lawyers have earned recognition of Bryan Stevenson. A civil rights attorney, Stevenson has dedicated his life to fighting injustice in America. During the 1980’s, Stevenson defended black convicts accused of crimes they didn’t commit. A lawyer with commanding presence, Stevenson built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2019, Destin Daniel Cretton honoured the lawyer seeking mercy in his movie “Just Mercy”. Cretton used compelling dialogue to honour a lawyer with the abilities to command the attention of a courtroom. Assisted by Michael B. Jordan who is amazing in the lead role, Cretton celebrated a lawyer deserving appreciation. A remarkable tribute towards a real-life lawyer that fought racism in the legal system, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made timeless movies achieving stardom.

9. Magrove

A common theme that’s often explored in courtroom dramas is racial injustice. The genre has often captured racial injustice in America. Following the recent Black Lives Matter Movement, movies have sought to capture racism faced by African-Americans. Few courtroom dramas have captured racial injustice as powerfully “Mangrove”. Released in 2020, Steven McQueen’s movie captured the real-life legal trial of the Mangrove Nine. McQueen used stunning visuals to recreate a notorious trial in which African-Americans were treated in ways that were hostile. Assisted by an excellent performance by Letitia Wright, McQueen captured barriers that African-American protestors had to fight. Nearly 40 years after the trial of the Mangrove Nine, it’s a marvellous reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies which shine.

10. Scent of a Woman

Blindness is a sensitive condition rarely depicted in movies with respect. A tragic subject, blindness is seldom depicted in movies in ways which are realistic. In an industry that has often avoided depicting blindness causing destruction, it’s worth praising “Scent of a Woman”. Released in 1992, Martin Brest’s movie captured hardships blind people go through. Brest used the courtroom drama genre to capture blindness. Assisted by Al Pacino who is amazing, Brest created a powerful portrait of visual impairment causing sorrow. Although there’s only one courtroom scene in the movie, it leaves a strong impression. As strong as Charlie’s desire to care for a colonel that’s blind, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made one-of-a-kind movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema that has never declined.