Those who enjoy legal thrillers and courtroom movies understand the excitement of witnessing justice being served under close observation. A Few Good Men is still regarded as the best in the category because of its iconic courtroom confrontations and catchy lines. In this article, we will look at several must-watch legal thrillers and courtroom dramas that share the same intense drama and moral depth. Follow us as we list down the best movies, like A Few Good Men, which draw audiences with their powerful stories and outstanding performances.
List of Movies Like A Few Good Men!
1- Hillbilly Elegy
| Genre | Drama |
| Director | Ron Howard |
| Cast | Amy Adams Glenn Close Gabriel Basso |
| IMDb Rating | 6.7 |
The story follows JD Vance who thinks back on his traumatic upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, where he was raised by his mother Bev and her parents. As JD battles Bev’s addiction and unpredictable behaviors, his strict yet devoted grandma, Mamaw, provides him with a lot of support. With Mamaw’s support, JD overcomes a string of challenges in his life, such as his own rebellious actions and his mother’s drug-related breakdowns. He seeks in the Marine Corps, uses the GI Bill to pay for education, and finally earns a law degree from Yale. When his mother overdoses, JD struggles to support himself as an adult and works three jobs. He perseveres, graduates, and publishes his memoir despite the chaos. After JD marries Usha, they return to Ohio, where JD’s family makes peace and Bev has been clean for six years. This is a must-watch movie like A Few Good Men on Netflix.
2- The Judge
The story revolves around Chicago lawyer Hank Palmer who visits his distant father, Judge Joseph Palmer, as he goes to Carlinville, Indiana, for his mother’s funeral. The Judge‘s severe treatment of Hank and his past mistakes are the causes of their troubled relationship. Even though their relationship hasn’t always been smooth, Hank steps up to defend his father when Judge is charged in a deadly hit-and-run that involves an old prisoner he once convicted. Their tense relationship starts to heal when Hank learns of the Judge’s terminal cancer prognosis and personal regrets. One of the best movies like A Few Good Men.
Advertisement 3- A Time to Kill
The town of Canton, Mississippi falls apart when Tonya Hailey, an innocent little African-American girl, is raped and abused by two beer-guzzling rednecks. Outraged, her father Carl Lee Hailey takes matters into his own hands and murders the men in the courtroom in front of many witnesses, believing he could not watch them freed. It is now Jake Brigance’s responsibility to clear Carl Lee. Although he has supporters, he faces strong district lawyer Rufus Buckley. This movie promises to blow your mind.
4- Firebrand
Following Katherine Parr the story starts as she slowly agrees to become the authoritarian King Henry VIII’s sixth wife in Tudor England. Considering that her ancestors were either killed, beheaded, or defeated, her agreement to marry him involves some personal risk. Henry’s courtiers view her as a threat, so they begin to question her loyalty and turn the progressively suspicious monarch against her. A must-watch movies if you like A Few Good Man.
5- 12 Angry Men
12 Angry Man is loved by many people with the highest rating of 9.0 on IMDb. The story involves The jury as it’s gathering in the jury room to determine whether a young man killed his father. The prosecution and defense have rested. What looks to be a straightforward murder case quickly turns into a detective scenario that raises questions through a series of hints. It also creates a mini-drama around the prejudices and preconceptions of the jurors regarding the accused, the trial, and each other. The jury room stage serves as the location for all the action in the play.
6- Argentina, 1985
Argentina, 1985 is based on the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo, and their young, unlikely hero-led legal team’s David versus Goliath struggle to bring justice to the victims of the Military Junta. In a race against time and toward all odds, during Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship. Currently the winner of the Golden Globe reward for Best Picture—Non-English Language. Include this movie in your list if you are looking for movies like A Few Good Men.
7- Character
The story follows Jacob Willem Katadreuffe who is held in the Netherlands in the 1920s for the killing of High Court Enforcement Officer Dreverhaven. Katadreuffe tells the police about his difficult history, which included Dreverhaven raping his mother Joba, which resulted in Katadreuffe’s birth. Despite being mistreated and left behind, Katadreuffe overcomes poverty with ambition and education. As he enrolls in law school, Dreverhaven continues to destroy him. Katadreuffe confronts Dreverhaven after finishing his studies, but his chaotic history makes him seem like a possible suspect in the murder.
8- Just Mercy
Based on the true story Just Mercy centers on Bryan Stevenson, an aspiring lawyer who decides to represent wrongfully charged people in Alabama after graduating from Harvard. Bryan takes on the case of Walter McMillian, who was given a death sentence in 1987 for a crime he didn’t commit, with the help of local advocate Eva Ansley. Bryan fights against racial and legal injustices in order to secure justice for Walter and others like him, in spite of the overwhelming proof of Walter’s innocence and a biased legal system.
9- Dead Man Walking
As the final date draws near, Matthew Poncelet, who is serving a death sentence for the murder and rape of a teenage couple, asks Sister Helen Prejean for help in filing a last appeal. As she gets to know him and the relatives of the victims, Sister Helen works to have his sentence reduced despite his self-importance and lack of regret. After all of her attempts fail, Poncelet eventually tells Sister Helen what he has done. He begs the relatives of the victims for forgiveness as he is put to death. With Sister Helen’s help, the families of the victims—particularly the boy’s father—start to achieve closure after his execution.
10- The Life of David Gale
Also check out our guide on Legally Entertained: Must-Watch Legal Movies on Netflix for more interesting and thrilling movies.
Wrap Up!
To sum up, these legal and courtroom thrillers presents interesting stories that highlight the complex issues of morality and justice. Every movie offers a different perspective on judicial drama, from the heartbreaking hardships in Hillbilly Elegy to the dramatic courtroom scenes in The Judge and A Time to Kill. These films, whether based on real-life experiences or made-up stories, have compelling plots and performances that will have you watching until the very end.