The Best Movies About Lawyers

Over 700 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Lawyers
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Vote up the top films about lawyers and attorneys.

A courtroom drama and other movies with lawyers in them can be quite riveting. Movies about lawyers and attorneys are some of the most suspenseful, thought-provoking films in the industry! There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a mystery, an act of crime, and the months that go into a trial. We love movies that feature an in your face kind of famous lawyer who will bring up questions we never even thought to ask!

The lawyer movies on this list feature some of the greatest attorneys in all of film. Who can forget Jack Nicholson's  "you can't handle the truth!" or the tenacity of Erin Brockovich? You might also like funny lawyer movies like My Cousin Vinny.

This list has the best movies about lawyers, including classic lawyer movies: A Few Good Men, The Devil’s Advocate, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, The Verdict, A Time to Kill, Presumed Innocent, The Firm and Kramer vs. Kramer.

Vote up your favorite lawyer movies you love.

Most divisive: Liar Liar
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  • To Kill a Mockingbird
    1
    Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford
    258 votes
    • Released: 1962
    • Directed by: Robert Mulligan

    Set in the deep South during the 1930s, this classic film highlights the racial injustice of the era through the eyes of a small-town lawyer trying to save an innocent African-American man from a wrongful conviction and almost certain death. With heart-wrenching performances and unforgettable characters, it's not hard to see why this masterpiece is heralded as one of the best legal dramas of all time.

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  • My Cousin Vinny
    2
    Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio
    309 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Jonathan Lynn

    This hysterical courtroom comedy revolves around an inexperienced New York lawyer who's unexpectedly thrown into a high-stakes murder trial in rural Alabama. With a colorful cast of memorable characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and plenty of twists and turns, it's easy to see why this film has become a cult favorite amongst both movie buffs and law enthusiasts alike.

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  • A Time to Kill
    3
    Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey
    231 votes
    • Released: 1996
    • Directed by: Joel Schumacher

    An emotionally charged legal thriller that dives deep into the world of racial prejudice in the Deep South. This gripping drama follows the story of an African-American father on trial for taking justice into his own hands after his daughter is brutally attacked. With powerhouse performances by Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, and Matthew McConaughey, this edge-of-your-seat tale will no doubt leave you questioning your own moral compass.

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  • A Few Good Men
    4
    Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore
    298 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Rob Reiner

    Demons from his past come back to haunt a young Navy lawyer when he's assigned to defend two Marines on trial for murder. The intense courtroom drama that unfolds forces him to confront the notion that there might be more to the case than meets the eye. Featuring a star-studded cast including Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Jack Nicholson, this powerful film combines suspenseful storytelling with iconic dialogue to create a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

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  • The Verdict
    5
    Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, James Mason
    170 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: Sidney Lumet

    In this riveting film, an alcoholic lawyer attempts to overcome his personal demons by taking on a difficult medical malpractice case that could very well save his career and his soul. Paul Newman's powerful performance as the down-on-his-luck attorney is both raw and inspiring, while the gripping courtroom showdown keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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  • The Lincoln Lawyer
    6
    Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
    194 votes
    • Released: 2011
    • Directed by: Brad Furman

    A smooth-talking criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental finds himself questioning the innocence of a wealthy client accused of attempted murder – and contending with some dangerous consequences. With a stellar cast including Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei, this suspenseful film offers a unique spin on the legal thriller genre.

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