Films About Court Cases
Films about court cases are a popular genre that explores the drama, intrigue, and complexities of the legal system. These movies often depict riveting courtroom battles, the pursuit of justice, and the examination of moral and ethical dilemmas. Here are some existing films about court cases:
“Denial”, 2016
Director: Mick Jackson
Based on a true story, this film follows the legal battle between historian Deborah Lipstadt and Holocaust denier David Irving. Lipstadt is sued for libel after she accuses Irving of being a Holocaust denier.
Starring: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Lowden, Caren Pistorius, Alex Jennings, Harriet Walter, Mark Gatiss, John Sessions, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Pip Carter, Jackie Clune, William Attenborough, Max Befort, Daniel Cerqueira, Laurel Lefkow, Elliot Levey, Helen Bradbury, Jacob Krichefski, Abigail Cruttenden, Hilton McRae, Andrea Deck, Lachele Carl, Paul Hunter, Amanda Lawrence, Basil Eidenbenz, Edward Franklin, Ziggy Heath, Sally Messham, Sean Power, Tom Clarke Hill, Jeremy Paxman, Julie McCarthy, Bob Edwards, Amber Batty, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Chris Brandon, Todd Boyce, Sara Powell, Nathalie Armin, Adrian Rolf Tauss, Nicolas Tennant, Ian Conningham, Joan Iyiola, Louise Ford, Nick Harris, Ian Bartholomew, Laura Evelyn, Sparky;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Denial” on the website imdb.com
“Marshall”, 2017
Director: Reginald Hudlin
This film portrays a case from the early career of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. It focuses on a young lawyer defending a black chauffeur accused of assaulting his white employer.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Sterling K. Brown, Dan Stevens, James Cromwell, Keesha Sharp, Roger Guenveur Smith, Derrick Baskin, Barrett Doss, Zanete Shadwick, John Magaro, Ahna O'Reilly, Jussie Smollett, Rozonda «Chilli» Thomas, Andra Day, Jeremy Bobb, Jeffrey DeMunn, Brendan Burke, Marina Squerciati, Sophia Bush, Ed Jewett, Adriano Gatto, Kertroy, Josie DiVincenzo, Dan Bittner, Edwin Lee Gibson, Daniel Stewart-Sherman, Christopher Mele, Jada Kay, Lauren Friedman, Michael Bernardi, Michael Carey Miller, Robert S. Bates, Chris Pera, Don Gervasi, Jeremy Kreuzer, Michael Dugan, Joseph G. Giambra, Benjamin Sheeler, Richard Lambert, Mark St. Cyr, Jonathan Scialabba, Bob Bozek, Lisa Christie-Betha, Irwin Gelman, Kenneth Joseph Bolden, Guy Tomassi, Pete Johnson, Tracy Martin;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: biography, drama, detective, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Marshall” on the website imdb.com
“Primal Fear”, 1996
Director: Gregory Hoblit
In this psychological thriller, a defense attorney takes on the case of a young altar boy accused of murdering an archbishop. As the trial unfolds, shocking revelations come to light.
Starring: Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Terry O'Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney, Jon Seda, Reg Rogers, Kenneth Tigar, Brian Reddy, Christopher Carroll, Wendy Cutler, Ron O.J. Parson, Sigrid K. Zahner, Diann Burns, Linda Yu, Andy Shaw, Mary Ann Childers, Lester Holt, Sylvia Gomez, Jon Duncanson, David Eckert, Robert Jordan, Joanie Lum, Randy Salerno, Kyle Colerider-Krugh, Joe Caballero, Randall Slavin, Mike Bacarella, Turk Muller, Joseph F. Kosala, Lenny Wilson, Peter Schreiner, Joseph R. Ryan, Azalea Davila, Wayne Wright, Tony Fitzpatrick, Clarence Williams Jr., Rosalie V. Lewis, Dwight Brad Dyer, Larry Cook, Bob Kenney, Antonio Bardales;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Primal Fear” on the website imdb.com
“12 Angry Men”, 1956
Director: Sidney Lumet
Considered a classic, this film takes place entirely in a jury room as twelve jurors deliberate the fate of a young man accused of murder. It explores themes of prejudice, justice, and the power of persuasion.
Starring: Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Ed Binns, Jack Warden, Robert Webber, Rudy Bond, Tom Gorman, James Kelly, Billy Nelson, John Savoca, Walter Stocker;
Production year: 1956;
Genre: drama, detective, crime;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 9;
More information about the film “12 Angry Men” on the website imdb.com
“A Few Good Men”, 1992
Director: Rob Reiner
This courtroom drama follows a military lawyer defending two Marines accused of murdering a fellow Marine. The film delves into the ethics of military conduct and the pursuit of truth.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, James Marshall, Wolfgang Bodison, J.T. Walsh, J.A. Preston, Cuba Gooding Jr., Matt Craven, Xander Berkeley, Christopher Guest, John M. Jackson, Noah Wyle, Lawrence Lowe, Joshua Malina, Oscar Jordan, John M. Mathews, Alex Wexo, Frank Cavestani, Jan Munroe, Ron Ostrow, Matthew Saks, Harry Caesar, Michael DeLorenzo, Geoffrey Nauffts, Arthur Senzy, Cameron Thor, David Bowe, Gene Whittington, Maud Winchester, Christopher Coffel, Richard Lasting, Bernard Madrid, Jack Serino;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “A Few Good Men” on the website imdb.com
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, 1962
Director: Robert Mulligan
Based on Harper Lee's novel, this film tells the story of a small-town lawyer defending a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. It explores themes of racial injustice and moral courage.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Frank Overton, Brock Peters, James Anderson, John Megna, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Robert Duvall, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale, R.L. Armstrong, Walter Bacon, Eddie Baker, Bobby Barber, John Barton, Audrey Betz, Danny Borzage, John Breen, Jess Cavin, Noble «Kid» Chissell, Jack Clinton, Steve Condit, May Couch, David Crawford, Frank Ellis, Jamie Forster, Charles E. Fredericks, Raoul Freeman, Herman Hack, Jester Hairston, Chuck Hamilton, Kim Hamilton, Kim Hector, Michael Jeffers, Dick Johnstone, Chester Jones, Colin Kenny, Ethan Laidlaw, Nancy Marshall, Clyde McLeod, Charles McQuary, Charles Morton, Paulene Myers;
Production year: 1962;
Genre: drama, crime;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the website imdb.com
“Philadelphia”, 1993
Director: Jonathan Demme
This film tackles the issue of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. It follows a lawyer who takes on a wrongful termination case after being fired for his condition.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Joanne Woodward, Charles Napier, Robert Ridgely, Bradley Whitford, Ron Vawter, Lisa Summerour, Roger Corman, Joey Perillo, Roberta Maxwell, Buzz Kilman, Karen Finley, Daniel Chapman, Mark Sorensen Jr., Jeffrey Williamson, Charles Glenn, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephanie Roth Haberle, Lisa Talerico, Chandra Wilson, Ford Wheeler, David Drake, Peter Jacobs, Paul Lazar, Freddie Foxxx, Paul Moore, Warren Miller, Lauren Roselli, Jane Moore, Bill Rowe, Dennis Radesky, Glen Hartell, Tracey Walter, John Ignarri, Richard Ehrlich, Julius Erving, Ann Dowd, Katie Lintner, Peg French, Ann Howard, Meghan Tepas, John Bedford Lloyd, Robert W. Castle, Molly Hickok, Dan Olmstead, Elizabeth Roby;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Philadelphia” on the website imdb.com
“The Verdict”, 1982
Director: Sidney Lumet
In this legal drama, a down-on-his-luck lawyer takes on a medical malpractice case against a powerful hospital. The film explores themes of redemption, justice, and personal integrity.
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Binns, Julie Bovasso, Roxanne Hart, James Handy, Wesley Addy, Joe Seneca, Lewis J. Stadlen, Kent Broadhurst, Colin Stinton, Scott Rhyne, Susan Benenson, Evelyn Moore, Juanita Fleming, Jack Collard, Ralph Douglas, Gregor Roy, John Blood, Dick McGoldrick, Edward Mason, Patty O'Brien, Maggie Task, Joseph Bergmann, Herbert Rubens, J.P. Foley, Leib Lensky, H. Clay Dear, J.J. Clark, Gregory Doucette, Tony LaFortezza, Marvin Beck, Herb Peterson, Margie Anderson, Tobin Bell, Murphy Cross, Kevin Fennessy, Willow Hale, Jon Hopwood, Cullen O. Johnson, Joan Tolentino, Bruce Willis;
Production year: 1982;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Verdict” on the website imdb.com
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Based on a true story, this film follows a legal assistant who uncovers a major environmental cover-up. She takes on a utility company accused of contaminating a small town's water supply.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Valente Rodriguez, George Rocky Sullivan, Pat Skipper, Jack Gill, Irene Olga López, Emily Marks, Julie Marks, Scotty Leavenworth, Gemmenne de la Peña, Erin Brockovich-Ellis, Adilah Barnes, Irina V. Passmoore, Ron Altomare, Charles John Bukey, Randy Lowell, Jamie Harrold, Sarah Ashley, Scarlett Pomers, T.J. Thyne, Joe Chrest, Meredith Zinner, Michael Harney, William Lucking, Mimi Kennedy, Scott Sowers, Kristina Malota, Wade Williams, Cordelia Richards, Ashley Pimental, Brittany Pimental, Larry Martinez, LeRoy A. Simmons, Don Snell, Gina Gallego, Ronald E. Hairston, Veanne Cox, Scott Allen, Sheila Shaw, Matthew Kimbrough;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
“A Time to Kill”, 1996
Director: Joel Schumacher
Set in the racially charged Deep South, this film centers around a young lawyer defending a black man who takes the law into his own hands after his daughter is brutally assaulted.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Oliver Platt, Charles S. Dutton, Brenda Fricker, Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Patrick McGoohan, Ashley Judd, Tonea Stewart, RaéVen Kelly, Darrin Mitchell, LaConte McGrew, Devin Lloyd, John Diehl, Chris Cooper, Nicky Katt, Doug Hutchison, Kurtwood Smith, Tim Parati, Mark W. Johnson, Beth Grant, Joe Seneca, Anthony Heald, Thomas Merdis, Alexandra Kyle, Terry Loughlin, Andy Stahl, Joe Bullen, Lorraine Middleton, Graham Timbes, Jonathan Hadary, Benjamin Mouton, Byron Jennings, Patrick Sutton, Greg Lauren, Danny Nelson, Mike Pniewski, Elizabeth Omilami, Lukas Cain, Stacy Rae Toyon, Wayne Dehart, Helen E. Floyd, David Brian Williams, Octavia Spencer, Rebecca Koon, James M. Crumley Jr., Jim Ritchie;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “A Time to Kill” on the website imdb.com
These films offer compelling narratives, memorable performances, and thought-provoking themes related to the legal system and court cases. Each film provides a unique perspective on the complexities of justice and the human condition.
[[1]](https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a34155993/courtroom-movies/) [[2]](https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_movies_based_on_real_life_legal_battles_and_court_cases/s1__38554636) [[3]](https://www.online-paralegal-degree.org/lists/5-great-movies-about-court-cases/) [[4]](https://www.lawyersmutualnc.com/blog/10-films-about-supreme-court-justices-you-should-see) [[5]](https://screenrant.com/best-courtroom-movies-ranked-imdb/)The selection of films about court cases offers a captivating exploration of the complexities of the legal system and human morality. From riveting courtroom dramas to thought-provoking legal thrillers, these films skillfully depict the power dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and emotional intensity that unfold within the confines of the courtroom. Each film delves deep into the intricacies of justice, shedding light on the flaws and triumphs of the legal process while confronting viewers with moral quandaries that resonate long after the closing credits. As a genre, these films not only entertain but also challenge audiences to contemplate the profound impact of the law on society and individuals, making them an indispensable part of cinematic storytelling.
