The 50+ Best Lawyer Movies

Ranker Film
Updated May 10, 2024 22.1K views 52 items
Ranked By
1.6K votes
332 voters
1 reranks
Latest additions: Anatomy of a Fall
Most divisive: Anatomy of a Fall
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 50+ Best Lawyer Movies

A list of the best law movies ever made, ranked by movie fans with film trailers when available. This law movie list is ordered by popularity, so only the greatest movies about law are at the top of the list. If there are any great movies about law you believe we missed, please feel free to add them to the list yourself. The films on this list are the most famous law movies of all time, so use it to find some movies that you haven't seen already. Click on these law movie titles for more information about the films.

List contains items like The Star Chamber and Breaker Morant.

This list answers the questions, "What are the best law movies?" and "What is the greatest law movie of all time?"

Various bits of information are included with these popular law movies, such as who directed them, when they were released and who starred in the films. Whether you're watching these law movies on DVD, Blu-ray or streaming, these good law movies can be enjoyed no matter what.
  • My Cousin Vinny
    1

    My Cousin Vinny

    Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio
    110 votes
    My Cousin Vinny is a comedic courtroom drama, centering around two New Yorkers wrongfully accused of murder in Alabama. Bill Gambini (Ralph Macchio) and Stan Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield) are saved by the inexperienced but determined Vincent LaGuardia 'Vinny' Gambini (Joe Pesci). Vinny, a recently minted lawyer with an abrasive personality, struggles to navigate the Southern legal system alongside his fiery fiancée Mona Lisa Vito (Marisa Tomei), who won an Academy Award for her performance. The film skillfully blends humor and tension as it explores themes of culture clash and underdogs in law.
    More My Cousin VinnyRight Arrow
  • 12 Angry Men
    2

    12 Angry Men

    Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley
    89 votes
    Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, the 12 members of the jury must deliberate, with a guilty verdict meaning death for the accused, an inner-city teen. As the dozen men try to reach a unanimous decision while sequestered in a room, one juror (Henry Fonda) casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy's fate.
    More 12 Angry MenRight Arrow
  • A Few Good Men
    3

    A Few Good Men

    Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore
    122 votes

    Is this one of the best lawyer movies ever made?

    In A Few Good Men, Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a military lawyer, defends two U.S. Marines accused of killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. The prickly Colonel Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) stands in his path as Kaffee seeks the truth behind this complex case. Rising to the challenge, Kaffee navigates a web of deception and cover-ups. This courtroom drama, directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin, won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, while Jack Nicholson scored a nod for Best Supporting Actor.
    More A Few Good MenRight Arrow
  • A Time to Kill
    4

    A Time to Kill

    Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey
    75 votes
    In the heart of Mississippi, A Time to Kill unfolds, a legal drama with a backdrop of racial tension. Young attorney Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) takes on a daunting case defending Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), a black man accused of taking law into his own hands after an unspeakable crime against his daughter. With Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock) offering her help, they navigate the deeply divided town. The movie, directed by Joel Schumacher, is an adaptation of John Grisham's first novel and won Samuel L. Jackson the Best Actor award at the NAACP Image Awards.
    More A Time to KillRight Arrow
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
    5

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford
    87 votes
    Set in the throes of the Great Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird unfolds in a sleepy Southern town where racial tension simmers beneath the surface. Scout Finch (Mary Badham) and her older brother Jem (Phillip Alford) navigate their childhood under the watchful eyes of their father, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck). Peck's portrayal earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. This film adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel delves into themes of racism, morality, and innocence lost. The story climaxes when Atticus, a principled lawyer, defends Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a black man unjustly accused of rape, inciting a flurry of societal backlash.
    More To Kill a MockingbirdRight Arrow
  • The Verdict
    6

    The Verdict

    Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, James Mason
    55 votes
    A boozing lawyer (Paul Newman) takes on a law-firm dean (James Mason), the Archdiocese of Boston and the system in general.
  • Erin Brockovich
    7

    Erin Brockovich

    Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart
    67 votes
    Unyielding and relentless, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is a twice-divorced single mother. She lands an unlikely job as a legal assistant in a California law firm. Stumbling upon medical records in a real estate file, Brockovich smells something foul. This initiates her tireless investigation into a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company, suspected of polluting a city's water supply. A startlingly true story of unwavering determination, the film won Roberts an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her portrayal of Brockovich's tenacity truly brings to life this compelling drama about justice and the power of the underdog.
    More Erin BrockovichRight Arrow
  • Primal Fear
    8

    Primal Fear

    Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Ed Norton
    57 votes
    In the heart-pounding thriller Primal Fear, a young altar boy, Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), finds himself accused of a gruesome murder. Enter Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a slick defense attorney who takes on Stampler's seemingly hopeless case. As the courtroom drama unfolds, unexpected twists and turns lurk around every corner, challenging Vail's belief in his client's innocence. This film, rich in suspense and legal intrigue, showcases Norton's performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The narrative is tightly woven, with each revelation leading to more questions than answers.
    More Primal FearRight Arrow
  • Witness
    9

    Witness

    Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Alexander Godunov
    29 votes
    In the 1985 film Witness, a young Amish boy, Samuel Lapp (Lukas Haas), becomes the sole witness to a brutal murder in Philadelphia. Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is assigned to investigate but soon finds himself hiding within the boy's Amish community from corrupt police officers looking to silence them both. This crime-thriller directed by Peter Weir navigates the stark contrast between two worlds while exploring themes of love and duty. The film garnered multiple Academy Awards nominations, winning two for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
    More WitnessRight Arrow
  • The Devil's Advocate
    10

    The Devil's Advocate

    Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron
    56 votes
    In The Devil's Advocate, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a hotshot lawyer from Florida, is lured to New York City by the enigmatic John Milton (Al Pacino). Milton, who runs a high-powered law firm, offers Kevin a chance at unparalleled success. As Kevin climbs the corporate ladder, his moral compass wavers under Milton's influence. His wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), begins to perceive an ominous and sinister reality beneath their newfound affluence. The movie, a blend of drama and supernatural thriller, explores themes of ambition, morality, and the human capacity for corruption.
    More The Devil's AdvocateRight Arrow
  • Philadelphia
    11

    Philadelphia

    Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards
    77 votes
    In the groundbreaking film Philadelphia, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), a talented lawyer, battles an unjust firing after his law firm discovers he's HIV-positive. Aiding him in this fierce legal fight is Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a small-time attorney who initially harbors prejudice against those with AIDS. This drama, directed by Jonathan Demme, tackles societal discrimination head-on and scored Hanks an Oscar for Best Actor in 1994. As the narrative unfolds, it unflinchingly showcases the struggles of individuals living with AIDS during a less informed time.
    More PhiladelphiaRight Arrow
  • The Client
    12

    The Client

    Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Mary-Louise Parker
    42 votes
    In The Client, an 11-year-old Mark Sway (Brad Renfro) becomes the sole witness to a mob lawyer's suicide - a death that reveals the whereabouts of a murdered senator's body. Mark finds himself under the protection of Reggie Love (Susan Sarandon), a dedicated attorney with a soft spot for lost causes. As they navigate through treacherous legal waters, the duo must outwit both Barry Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia), a dangerous mafia hitman, and Roy Foltrigg (Tommy Lee Jones), an ambitious federal prosecutor. This riveting legal thriller, based on John Grisham's best-selling novel, won Susan Sarandon an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. The film weaves together elements of crime, drama, and suspense in a tightly knit narrative that keeps viewers on edge from start to finish.
    More The ClientRight Arrow
  • Cape Fear
    13

    Cape Fear

    Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange
    42 votes
    In the gripping tale of Cape Fear, ex-convict Max Cady (Robert De Niro) emerges from the shadows to torment the Bowden family. Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), a lawyer, once ensured that Cady went behind bars for a heinous crime. Now, Cady seeks revenge in this relentless pursuit of terror. Juliette Lewis stars as Danielle Bowden, Sam's teenage daughter, who becomes an unwitting pawn in Cady's game. This psychological thriller, directed by Martin Scorsese, won Robert De Niro an Academy Award nomination for his chilling performance. Unforgiving and relentless, Cape Fear is a masterclass in suspense and fear.
    More Cape FearRight Arrow
  • The Lincoln Lawyer
    14

    The Lincoln Lawyer

    Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
    43 votes
    Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a charismatic defense attorney who does business out of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Mick spends most of his time defending petty crooks and other bottom-feeders, so it comes as quite a surprise when he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who is accused of attempted murder. However, what Mick initially thinks is an open-and-shut case with a big monetary reward develops into something more sinister.
    More The Lincoln LawyerRight Arrow
  • Witness for the Prosecution
    15

    Witness for the Prosecution

    Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton
    31 votes
    The affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.
  • Runaway Jury
    16

    Runaway Jury

    John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman
    59 votes
    After a workplace shooting in New Orleans, a trial against the gun manufacturer pits lawyer Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), who uses illegal means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense. But when juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) and his girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), reveal their ability to sway the jury into delivering any verdict they want, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins.
    More Runaway JuryRight Arrow
  • The Firm
    17

    The Firm

    Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman
    65 votes
    In The Firm, Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), a bright law graduate, is lured into the prosperous world of Bendini, Lambert, & Locke, a secretive Memphis law firm. As he ascends in his career, he learns that the firm's wealth is built upon dark secrets and illegal activities. His life takes a perilous turn when he gets entangled with the FBI. A suspenseful thriller based on John Grisham's novel, this film masterfully explores corporate corruption and moral dilemmas. The movie earned two Oscar nominations, underscoring its cinematic prowess.
    More The FirmRight Arrow
  • The Rainmaker
    18

    The Rainmaker

    Matt Damon, Claire Danes, Mickey Rourke
    42 votes
    The Rainmaker is a 1997 American drama film written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by John Grisham. Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Roy Scheider, Mickey Rourke, Virginia Madsen and Mary Kay Place also star. This was the final film appearance of Academy Award-winning actress Teresa Wright.
    More The RainmakerRight Arrow
  • The Pelican Brief
    19

    The Pelican Brief

    Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard
    59 votes
    In the suspenseful thriller The Pelican Brief, law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of political intrigue. After drafting a legal brief predicting the motives behind two Supreme Court justices' murders, she becomes a target. As the plot thickens, investigative journalist Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) joins her to unravel the truth. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, this movie weaves a tale of mystery and peril where trust is scarce and every step could be deadly. With each twist and turn, it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
    More The Pelican BriefRight Arrow
  • ...And Justice for All
    20

    ...And Justice for All

    Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe
    55 votes
    Satirical drama in which an idealistic lawyer who tries to win cases for clients trapped in a hypocritical and corrupt legal system finds himself defending a venal and self-righteous judge accused of rape. The judge wrongly assumes the lawyer's ideals and disdain for the courts will drive him to get an acquittal, despite the evidence and the loathing they have for each other.
    More ...And Justice for AllRight Arrow
  • Michael Clayton
    21

    Michael Clayton

    George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton
    26 votes
    Former prosecutor Michael Clayton (George Clooney) works as a "fixer" at the corporate law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, and takes care of his employer's dirty work. Burned out and deep in debt, he is bound tightly to the firm. Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.
    More Michael ClaytonRight Arrow
  • Breaker Morant
    22

    Breaker Morant

    Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown
    18 votes
    In South Africa during the Second Boer War, Australian Army Lieutenants Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) stand accused of the murders of six Boer prisoners and the assassination of a German missionary. British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener is determined to see the men found guilty, which he can use as a bargaining chip in an impending peace conference with the Boers.
    More Breaker MorantRight Arrow
  • Dead Man Walking
    23

    Dead Man Walking

    Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky
    31 votes
    As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) nears his execution date, he calls upon Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) to help him with one last appeal, maintaining that he is innocent of the murders of a young couple. Poncelet begins to form a bond with Prejean, and she visits both his family and the relatives of the victims, hoping to learn more about the case. As things begin to look bleak for Poncelet, Prejean does all that she can to comfort and console the hardened convict.
    More Dead Man WalkingRight Arrow
  • Class Action
    24

    Class Action

    Gene Hackman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Colin Friels
    22 votes
    Liberal activist lawyer Jedediah (Gene Hackman) alienated daughter Maggie (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) years ago when she discovered his many affairs. Now a conservative corporate lawyer, Maggie agrees to go up against her father in court. To gain promotion, she must defend an auto manufacturer against charges that their explosion-prone station wagons are unsafe. As her mother begs for peace, Maggie takes on her dad in a trial that turns increasingly personal and nasty.
  • Fracture
    25

    Fracture

    Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn
    21 votes
    Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling), a hotshot prosecutor, is about to leave his post for a lucrative job at a private law firm when his boss (David Strathairn) hands him a seemingly open-and-shut case. Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) tried to kill his wife with a shot to the head and is defending himself in court. All hope for a quick and easy trial fly out the door when Ted proves to be a more cunning and devious adversary than Willy anticipates.
    More FractureRight Arrow
  • Amistad
    26

    Amistad

    Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey
    34 votes
    In the historical drama Amistad, Steven Spielberg transports us to 1839. The film revolves around a mutiny aboard La Amistad, a slave ship traveling towards America. Cinqué (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende tribesman, leads the revolt. The uprising sets in motion a court case that challenges the very foundation of American legal system and questions the country's stance on slavery. The movie also showcases notable performances by Anthony Hopkins, portraying former President John Quincy Adams, and Matthew McConaughey as the idealistic lawyer Roger Sherman Baldwin. Garnering multiple award nominations, Amistad weaves together threads of law, freedom, and humanity in an unforgettable narrative.
    More AmistadRight Arrow
  • Ghosts of Mississippi
    27

    Ghosts of Mississippi

    Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods
    29 votes
    In this film based on actual events, black activist Medgar Evers (James Pickens Jr.) is murdered in 1963, and much of the evidence points toward white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods). However, after two trials, De La Beckwith is acquitted twice by a jury of whites. Now, decades later in 1989, Evers' widow, Myrlie (Whoopi Goldberg), thinks she has evidence to finally convict him. But no lawyer will touch the case except the young and brash Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin).
    More Ghosts of MississippiRight Arrow
  • The People vs. Larry Flynt
    28

    The People vs. Larry Flynt

    Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Ed Norton
    27 votes
    Pursued by opponents who say his "Hustler" magazine breaks decency laws, pornographer Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) hires lawyer Alan Isaacman (Edward Norton) to help fight his legal battles. A zealot shoots the men near a Georgia courthouse, and though Flynt discovers he'll never walk again, his fighting spirit -- like his love for stripper Althea Leasure (Courtney Love) -- stays strong. Ultimately, the unlikely free speech warrior takes his biggest case to a showdown at the Supreme Court.
    More The People vs. Larry FlyntRight Arrow
  • Inherit the Wind
    29

    Inherit the Wind

    Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Piper Laurie
    27 votes
    Inherit the Wind is a 1999 television film adaptation of the play of the same name. The original 1955 play was written as a parable which fictionalized the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial as a means of discussing the 1950s McCarthy trials. George C. Scott played Brady. In the 1996 Broadway revival he played Drummond.
  • A Civil Action
    30

    A Civil Action

    John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub
    22 votes
    In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal-injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case that threatens to destroy him. The case -- which appears straight forward -- instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions, in the intelligent, fast-paced drama, "A Civil Action."