American Film Institute
Courtroom Drama
Top Ten Courtroom Drama Movies Presented by AFI
Top Ten Courtroom Drama Movies Presented by AFI
#1 To Kill a Mockingbird
In 1932 Alabama, a widowed lawyer with two small children defends a black man accused of raping a white woman.
#2 12 Angry Men
In what seems to be an open and shut murder case, twelve jurors slowly begin to take serious interpretation of the "beyond a reasonable doubt" clause.
#3 Kramer vs. Kramer
Returning home late from work one night, a career-obsessed Ted Kramer is told by his wife, Joanna, that she is leaving him.
#4 The Verdict
Frank Galvin, an alcoholic lawyer tries to redeem his reputation by taking on a difficult medical malpractice case.
#5 A Few Good Men
Navy lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee is assigned to defend two Marines, Pfc. Louden Downey and Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson, who are accused of the murder of fellow leatherneck Pfc. William Santiago at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
#6 Witness for the Prosecution
Following a lengthy hospital stay for a near-fatal heart attack, famed London barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts returns to his combined office and lodgings near The Old Bailey.
#7 Anatomy of a Murder
Ever since losing his bid for reelection as the district attorney of Iron City, Michigan, attorney Paul "Polly" Biegler has sought solace in his two favorite hobbies, playing jazz on the piano and fishing.
#8 In Cold Blood
In the farming town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Herbert Clutter family are roused from their sleep, bound and gagged, and then brutally murdered.
#9 A Cry in the Dark
While visiting the Ayers rock monument in the Outback with her husband Michael, Lindy notices a dingo creeping into the tent where her baby lies sleeping.
#10 Judgment at Nuremberg
In 1948 Dan Haywood, an American judge recently defeated for reelection in Maine, arrives in Nuremberg to preside over the trial of several German judges.
AFI's 10 TOP 10
Counting down the 10 greatest films from 10 classic American film genres, including animation, fantasy, science fiction, gangster, western, sports, romantic comedy, courtroom drama, mystery and epic films.