There have been hundreds of entertaining films and television shows over the years that have depicted all facets of the legal profession. It’s not that shocking, really; if there’s one thing that’s universal, it’s that everyone loves a good courtroom drama. Picking the best? That’s another story altogether. Here’s a list of the top ten movie or TV shows about lawyers.
My Cousin Vinny
Featuring a fantastic cast that includes Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio, and Fred Gwynne, My Cousin Vinny is more than just a hilarious fish-out-of-water story. In fact, its portrayal of criminal trial procedures is one of the most accurate in film history! IMDb >
Perry Mason
This classic television series turned Raymond Burr into a star. Running for nine seasons between 1957 and 1966, Perry Mason became the gold standard for courtroom dramas. IMDb >
A Few Good Men
“You can’t handle the truth!” There’s nothing like watching Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson go head-to-head in this military court drama, directed by Rob Reiner. A Few Good Men also featured star turns by Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon, to name just a few. IMDb >
Boston Legal
A spin-off from one of the other shows on our list, Boston Legal is best known for the brilliant comedic antics of James Spader and William Shatner. While it might have ended after just four seasons, this television show is highly memorable. IMDb >
Erin Brockovich
This Julia Roberts film is based on a true story of a real lawyer and her rise to fame after she tackled a high-profile case involving a poisoned municipal water source. Erin Brockovich the film is just as interesting as Erin Brockovich the real person. IMDb >
Law & Order
Before there were countless spinoffs there was the original. Law and Order, which ran from 1990 to 2010, was unique in that it showed both sides of criminal justice: both law enforcement and legal proceedings. IMDb >
To Kill a Mockingbird
This film, adapted from the famous Harper Lee novel, is a classic piece of movie history. Gregory Peck’s portrayal of small-town lawyer Atticus Finch is filled with dignity and gravitas as he defends an innocent black man from the ire of a prejudiced white jury. IMDb >
The Practice
The precursor to Boston Legal, this courtroom series ran from 1997 to 2004 and helped make actor Dylan McDermott the star he is today. The ethical themes explored in this show were thought-provoking and clever, earning The Practice a strong following. IMDb >
The Paper Chase
Required watching for law students, The Paper Chase is an absolute classic. Academy Award-winning actor John Houseman plays the dry, acerbic Professor Kingsfield, the world’s most demanding law school teacher. Houseman even reprised his role in the 1980s television series based on the film. IMDb >
Suits
The only TV show on this list still filming, Suits is the story of how a college dropout ends up working with one of the highest-profile law firms in New York City. Even more noteworthy, this series introduced newly-branded royal Meghan Markle to the world. IMDb >
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