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Not everyone wants to go to law school, but we all have to admit that there’s something incredibly exciting about watching legal films and TV shows. From the suspense of untangling the ropes of a murder to the quippy lines of courtroom hearings, legal films and TV shows have a way of keeping us on the edge of our seats for hours, making perfect binging material. Plus, if you’re a law student or plan on being one, they can be surprisingly informative and give you an insight into the daily lives of legal workers, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Here are 10 of the most critically-acclaimed films and TV series in this genre:
Movies
12 Angry Men (1957)
An oldie but goldie, 12 Angry Men is a masterclass in acting and dialogue. This courtroom drama follows 12 jury members who are trying to decide whether a young man really is guilty of murdering his father. What was supposed to be a simple decision becomes a mind-bending case where one jury member tries to convince the others to drop their personal prejudices and weigh only the evidence. If you’re from the UK, this movie is especially insightful because you’ll get to see how the jury system works in the US.
Devil’s Advocate (1997)
Although it has supernatural and horror elements, Devil’s Advocate is a magnificent portrayal of how a lawyer’s life can spiral out of control. The movie follows a young small-town lawyer who is hired by a prestigious law firm in New York, but his new lifestyle soon pushes him to make morally questionable decisions and neglect his romantic life.
Dark Waters (2019)
Based on a true story, this movie tells the story of a corporate defence attorney who tries to bring to justice a chemical company that has polluted the water in Cincinnati, Ohio for years, even causing several deaths. The movie gained critical acclaim for being very realistic and it was based on years of research on civil and criminal cases. At the same time, everyone should see this movie because it gives some important insights into the practices of big corporations, and how regular people can take action to seek justice.
TV series
Suits (2011-2019)
Although this is an American TV series, it became popular in the UK after the news of Megan Markle’s relationship with Prince Harry. Beyond the pop culture element, Suits is actually a pertinent legal drama that takes the viewer across many interesting legal cases and shares a glimpse into the personal lives (or lack thereof) of high-profile lawyers. The premise isn’t exactly realistic: a young man is hired as an associate at a prestigious law firm because he has a fantastic memory, but no legal qualifications. However, the cases are very interesting and Suits is now recognised as one of the best legal dramas out there.
Broadchurch (2013-2017)
The events in Broadchurch are set in motion after a local boy in a small town goes missing and is later found dead. The first season of the series focuses more on the investigation for finding the criminal and the toll it takes on Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sgt Ellie Miller, brilliantly played by David Tennant and Olivia Colman, and on the life of the community. Later on, the series focuses on the trial of the accused, which is interesting to watch for criminal lawyers and law students.
How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020)
While it may not be the most realistic TV series on this list, How to Get Away with Murder does feature some interesting lectures on the American legal system, since the protagonist, Annalise Keating, is a criminal defence professor. It’s definitely ironic, because the she and some of her students become involved in a twisted murder plot. The series is entertaining throughout, and Viola Davis is stunning in the role.
Better Call Saul (2015 – present)
Before he met Walter White, he was a criminal lawyer trying to make it up the ranks in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Saul Goodman, by his real name Jimmy McGill, is a small-time lawyer with questionable morals, but he’s driven to succeed. This series features Bob Odenkirk reprising his popular role from Breaking Bad, as well as other familiar faces from the show, such as Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut and Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring.
Documentaries
If you’d also like to watch some legal documentaries after these movies and TV series, here are some of the top picks.
Hot Coffee (2011)
The famous personal injury case of getting compensation after burning yourself with hot coffee started from the Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants product liability lawsuit from 1994. The documentary takes an in-depth look at the details of the case, which influenced the American tort reform. It was directed by Susan Saladoff, who had 26 years of experience as a medical malpractice lawyer, and, apart from the famous Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants case, it also discusses other medical malpractice cases, such as Jones V. Halliburton Co. If you’re interested in the details of personal injury cases, this documentary is worth a watch.
Making a Murderer (2015-2018)
Controversial and thought-provoking, Making a Murderer tried to present from a different perspective the story of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County who served 18 years in jail for charges he may not have been guilty of. The Netflix documentary was so influential that it even led people to start a petition to pardon Avery, but to no avail.
Trial by Media (2020 – present)
In the age of TV and Internet, lawsuits are no longer restricted to the courtroom. Oftentimes, big cases make it in the media, and people perceive them as entertainment or think they can do a better job at solving them than the authorities. Trial by Media explores the impact that social media has on high-profile cases, and how it sometimes changed the course of investigations.