I recently watched My Cousin Vinny for the first time, adding on to my long list of courtroom drama films that I’ve seen. Courtroom dramas are by far my favorite movie genre; the suspense, anticipation, and jaw-dropping monologues never disappoint. From those that I’ve watched, here are my favorite courtroom drama films:
To Kill a Mockingbird
I read Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird in 5th grade and was amazed at how much I loved it. I recently watched the film adaptation this year with my mom and I was not disappointed. I went in with low expectations considering book-to-screen adaptations typically don’t go well, but I can confidently say that it does the story justice! Every character is casted perfectly, especially Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. I’d definitely recommend still reading the book first— it’s one of the most famous stories of all time for a reason— but the film is remarkable as well!
…And Justice for All
This film is surprisingly underrated considering its star: Al Pacino! I’d argue that this is one of his best roles (and that’s coming from a fan who has seen The Godfather). Like every courtroom drama, this movie has an iconic ending scene where Pacino puts his blood, sweat, and tears into a monologue that had me on the edge of my seat. Perhaps what I love most about this movie is that it’s a dramedy, and as we’ve seen from Dog Day Afternoon, Pacino kills those roles. Although I’m a bit biased as an Al Pacino enthusiast, …And Justice for All immediately became one of my favorites upon my first watch, and I’ll definitely be rewatching soon.
Anatomy of a Fall
Released just last year, Anatomy of a Fall swept a surprising amount of the 2023 awards season considering it was up against Barbie and Oppenheimer— but it was well deserved! Slight spoiler ahead: The film has an ambiguous ending which, although frustrating at first, I learned to greatly appreciate. It allows the story to sit with the audience longer as they can come up with their own guesses on how it ends. I also have to shout out Messi, who plays the adorable dog that had people begging the Academy for a “Best Dog” award.
A Few Good Men
My dad made me watch this movie, describing it as “one of the best of all time.” And as much as I hate to admit it, he wasn’t wrong! A Few Good Men is a must-watch when it comes to courtroom dramas. Tom Cruise is simply incredible, and there’s a scene between him and Jack Nicholson that is definitely in the Courtroom Drama Hall of Fame. Fun fact, this movie inspired parts of one of the highest-rated Brooklyn Nine-Nine episodes of all time: The Box.
12 Angry Men
Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason. I adore this movie so much, and it’s still on my bucket list to read the classic book that it’s based off of! At first glance, an all-dialogue, black and white film might not seem appealing. But trust me, with its flawless script, intelligent directing, and committed cast, this film is easily one of the best in all of cinema history. Out of all the films on this list, I recommend watching this one the most.
One honorable mention includes Primal Fear. Although containing a somewhat predictable plot twist, its needle drop moment will never cease to make my jaw drop. The film is also Edward Norton’s film debut, and in my opinion, his best performance ever (up there with Fight Club of course).
My love for courtroom dramas stems from their unique ability to blend suspense, emotion, and thought-provoking narratives. If you haven't yet explored courtroom dramas, I highly recommend giving them a try— you might just find a new favorite genre!