Courtroom dramas have always been among the most popular movie genres, but they can also be the most jarring when they’re not accurate to the real-life legal system. Many courtroom movies simply bend the facts to make their narrative easier and more entertaining. However, there are several projects that pride themselves on their accurate depictions of courtroom protocol and the legal process, which only furthers the believability of the stories they're telling.
Not only is it important for movies and television shows to accurately depict the legal process, but it also makes these stories so much more engaging when audiences know they’re watching something that could really happen. Ultimately, the projects that focus on accuracy go on to become some of the best courtroom dramas of all time. These titles deliver what audiences are expecting while also trading melodrama for nuance by being firmly rooted in reality.
10 Suits (2011–19)
When it comes to the world of television, it’s hard to find a legal drama quite as popular and widely-respected as Suits. The show has been praised time and time again for its accurate depiction of corporate law, with each episode following a different story that's often based on real cases or ideas within the business. While it’s obviously both dramatized and fictionalized, Suits perfectly captures that balance of accuracy and accessibility. It keeps things true to reality, all while guiding the audience through the many courtroom technicalities.
9 My Cousin Vinny (1992)
My Cousin Vinny is a touching comedy about inexperienced lawyer Vinny (Joe Pesci), who steps in to defend his cousin when he's accused of murder. The movie offers a very in-depth analysis of the legal system, chronicling Vinny's attempts to build a case and present it in court. It follows every step of the case, both inside and outside the courtroom, with Vinny facing all the problems that criminal lawyers actually grapple with in their profession.
8 For Life (2020–21)
The Apple TV+ show For Life offers a modern twist on the courtroom drama as it follows Aaron Wallace (Nicholas Pinnock), a man who's wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit. In order to plead his case, Aaron decides to learn the rules of law himself. Since the show’s protagonist spends plenty of time educating himself on the ins and outs of the legal system, For Life offers viewers ample opportunities to learn about these real-life legal intricacies themselves. Plus, the series is based on a real case, adding even more authenticity to the story.
7 Goliath (2016–21)
Goliath is a popular courtroom thriller that stars Billy Bob Thornton as Billy McBride, a disgraced lawyer who takes on a big lawsuit in order to get revenge on the firm he founded. While most of the show takes place outside the courtroom, the protagonist’s work as a lawyer plays a huge role in the story and has been praised for its strong resemblance to real life. By stepping outside the courtroom, the series explores sides of the profession that aren't always presented on the big screen. Goliath is also filled with memorable characters, making it as entertaining as it is educational.
6 A Few Good Men (1992)
Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men is probably the most famous courtroom drama of its era, and that’s because it isn’t afraid to dig into areas of the law that were previously deemed too dark and overwhelming for movies to explore. It’s a harrowing depiction of how the American government and military have often corrupted the legal system, drawing on real-life cases to paint a picture of the countless complexities of the law. A Few Good Men is the kind of movie that really aims to open the audience’s eyes to what’s going on in their country, making the film's accuracy all the more crucial.
5 The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–)
Based on Michael Connelly's bestselling books, Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer follows defense attorney Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) as he navigates the complex legal landscape of Los Angeles. What makes The Lincoln Lawyer work so well is its episodic format. Each story navigates a different corner of the law, allowing Mickey to showcase his talents and educate viewers. The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 looks likely, so the show will probably have ample opportunity to adapt a few more of the cases from Connelly’s books.
4 12 Angry Men (1957)
12 Angry Men takes the concept of what we now consider a courtroom drama and flips it on its head, telling the story from the perspective of the jurors instead of the lawyers or the defendants. The story, which takes place primarily in a single room as the jurors attempt to reach a unanimous verdict, brings the audience right into the center of a criminal trial. It also exposes all the flaws and moral questions that can arise during such cases. A powerful meditation on human nature and psychology, 12 Angry Men explores the emotional weight of convicting somebody for a crime they may not have committed.
3 The Rainmaker (1997)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Rainmaker stars Matt Damon as a young lawyer who’s thrown head-first into the legal world after agreeing to represent a sick boy fighting for the right to a life-saving surgery. An emotional and powerful story that comments on the corruption and unfairness of corporate law, The Rainmaker illustrates how individuals are often viewed as little more than numbers and names in the corporate legal world, which relies more on money and influence than morality and justice.
2 The Practice (1997–2004)
The Practice is a long-running legal drama that essentially paved the way for other contemporary courtroom-based series, namely because the show maintained a then-groundbreaking sense of authenticity and real-world accuracy. Episodic in structure, The Practice tells the story of a team of lawyers navigating Boston's legal landscape. Each new case explored a different aspect of the law, drawing on real-world ideas and precedents to further the series' realism.
1 Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)
Not only is Kramer vs. Kramer one of Meryl Streep’s best movies, but it’s also an unforgettable courtroom drama. The film influenced the genre in more ways than one, shaping it into what it is today. Kramer vs. Kramer follows a couple, played by Streep and Dustin Hoffman, who are going through a divorce and subsequent custody battle. The film was released at a time when the public perception of divorce and child custody was very different from what it is today, so its authentic portrayal was significant.
