Top 10 Best Courtroom Movie Monologues

We have no objections to these courtoom movie monologues. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most captivating speeches delivered during court proceedings or formal hearings. Our countdown includes "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Legally Blonde," "Kramer vs. Kramer," and more! What's YOUR favorite courtroom movie monologue? Let us know in the comments!
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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.
#Movie #Courtroom #Monologues #Legal #Speeches

[@MsMojo]

Do you agree with our picks? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 10 Best Disney Princess Monologues here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoirmGeDj7-ogtk

[@trinaq]

Yes, I totally agree with your picks!

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

I knew Jessup’s speech would be #1! I know it by heart, and I also try to internally recite it daily.

[@prashantkumar-lk5yd]

i am surprised that 12ANGRY MEN didnt make up to the list, not even in the honorable mention, although i strongly believe that it must be on the top of the list.

[@momerathramirez5205]

"Legally Blonde" courtroom monologue is very satisfaying and dreamy. But "To kill a mockingbird" is so dramatic and heartbreaking.

[@trinaq]

Atticus' monologue about Tom has always moved me, even when I read the book for school. It's so powerful and emotional.

[@kristashafer93098]

Fun Fact - Mona Lisa Vito was almost eliminated from the movie during final script edits. Excellent decision to leave her in since Marissa Tomé won the Academy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy!

[@thomasbowers1210]

I couldn’t see the movie with out her or her monologue! She is one of my favorite actresses because she always delivers a memorable performance!

[@trinaq]

I always loved Daniel's heartfelt appeal towards the courtroom about his love for his children. While he acknowledgea that dressing up as an Old British Nanny to see them WASN'T the best decision, Robin's brilliant acting always makes me tear up, and reminds me of why he's so missed to this very day.

[@jeremygilbert7989]

I feel that Liar Liar's final court scene deserved at least an honorable mention. Aside from the last minute realization of a technicality that wins him the case Carrey's pleas to the judge at the end and that memorable line "I HOLD MYSELF IN CONTEMPT! WHY SHOULD YOU BE ANY DIFFERENT?!" still sticks with me as arguably the best moment in the film. Also in the genre of court scenes in comedies I'd also like to give an honorable mention to the end of Big Daddy.

[@brentage5000]

Good point. I remember watching that movie in cinema and enjoying a typical Jim Carrey comedy with just enough heart to keep it from stretching into Mask or Ace Ventura territory, and then suddenly there's this brilliantly performed dramatic catharsis. Great moment.

[@philyra2]

Not even a mention of Fred Gailey's defense of Kris as Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th Street?" MsMojo is on the naughty list now for sure!

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

I worked at a Sam Goody back in the day when A Few Good Men 1st hit VHS. We had it playing on the TV for the customers. When Nicholson's "The Truth" speech started, the customers were so glued to what was happening and lost their minds when he screams the truth. It was a great performance.

[@beatlequeen06]

Does the fact that Gregory Peck nailed his speech in *one take* mean NOTHING to you people?

[@pepito2847]

I still love Vinny’s questioning of the witness about the grits

[@reikun86]

"Are you sure about that five minutes?"

[@michellekennedy4426]

Sorry but "now imagine she's white" will always be way more powerful than any other courtroom speech.

[@shashiemoser5445]

YES!!! McConaughey was excellent! And to think....it was one of his first major roles!

[@gingerrobinson6764]

So true A Time 2 Kill penominal

[@freddytw206]

@@gingerrobinson6764 phenomenal.

[@LucienSabre]

When I saw the title I prayed Al Pacino's monologue in "Scent of a Woman" would be included. The speech on its own is as epic as the rest of the movie together....the movie itself needs to be watched just for that speech imo. 🔥💖

[@zamyafields6513]

The courtroom monologue in Legally Blonde.

[@ChanningKing]

Knew “My Cousin Vinny” would be on here, it was just a matter of where.

[@joegreenslade7577]

I was surprised to not see Adam Sandler in Big Daddy in this video. One of Sandler's best acting moments in all his films, that courtroom scene, in my opinion.

[@Survivor2002]

This makes me want to go back and watch most, if not all of these films. Matthew McConaughey planted his flag as a major talent with that courtroom speech. And what more needs to be said about the Spencer Tracy and Gregory Peck performances? As for Marisa Tomei, she was indeed great, but the most comedic gold in that scene lies in the gobsmacked reactions of Fred Gwynne's judge.

[@Panwere36]

The reason why Elle's shining moment in _Legally Blonde_ scene is so satisfying is (as a man who lived in the same house for years with three women..) because it was common damn sense. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about hair care (and permanents especially.. as MOST IF NOT ALL THE WOMEN IN THAT DAMN ROOM..) should have known... the daughter was lying through her teeth. It was obvious to anyone.. but the original defense attorney (played so very well by Victor Garber) was such a misogynistic POS he nearly let an innocent woman go to prison because of his own hubris and Schadenfreude against her. Also, one of the parts about Meryl Streep's performance in _Kramer vs. Kramer_ that is forgotten is that, even with how it ends, she never lets anyone forget that she is not playing a sympathetic character in the least.. because she isn't. She is the absolute villain of the story, as is more often than is "correct" to admit is the case in real life. Lastly.. the reason why _To Kill A Mockingbird_ is such an intense story is: it is a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph if it happened in a more modern setting. Making him black and innocent is as relevant as it was him being Jewish and innocent when it really happen.

[@kostaskotsonis7024]

Judgement at nuremberg is a great movie and has a great courtroom confession especially for the importance of human integrity

[@NYChica23]

Adam Sandler should've been in this video...not the biggest fan of his acting, but that monologue in Big Daddy really hit me in the feels

[@brentage5000]

I could literally live happily watching nothing but Lisa's testimony, Elle's takedown, and Jake's closing argument.

[@tjwash5118]

Yeah, let us know how that works out for ya. 😆

[@brentage5000]

@@tjwash5118 given how often I replay them anyway.....quite well, thank you 😊

[@kristypersaud8907]

My favorite movie is Legally Blonde in Mrs Doubtfire great movie

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

TOY versus BOY 🏛️ 🐻 "TED 2" (2015) - civil rights to be recognized as a person!

[@BradleyBoy]

Isn't it the first cardinal rule of perm maintenance that you are forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate

[@delmicortave]

I think "in the name of the father" should be in this list

[@tmoore4075]

"I don't give a DAMN what you think you are entitled to!" Damn that's good. I say the lines along with the movie while I watch it now. Yes I'm a loser.

[@michellekennedy4426]

I think "not to be shown to the defence" from "in the name of the father" could at least of been a honourable mention.

[@seanlynch145]

I feel an honorable mention should be when Thomas Dawson gets back in uniform and delivers a letter for his son in Hacksaw Ridge

[@user-hb4zz4gh5e]

YES!

[@jeffreylindahl5895]

Umm excuse me why wasn't A time to kill number one? You had one job MOJO. One job.

[@pixxiespit]

I _live_ for Mona Lisa Veto's monologue! 😆👍

[@WiLDCHiLD.]

8:45 I love it when females school males on subjects they supposedly are experts in, especially cars. They can't stand it, and I'm here for it! 😂😉😏

[@SirSmoldham]

Many thanks. I love courtroom drama as much as I do horror films.

[@melissanoyb]

This is a good collection. I ADORE To Kill a Mockingbird.

[@codyhiginbotham6616]

I feel like courtroom movies/shows are the best ones to show off your acting skills Opening statements, witness questioning, remarks to the jury, debating with the judge, council arguing, closing statements, etc.

[@tjwash5118]

If "You can't handle the truth!" isn't #1 I can't handle that truth

[@thomasbowers1210]

If you have a chance to see to kill a mockingbird on Broadway you totally should! It is probably one of the best place I’ve ever seen performed life! Everyone delivers a fantastic performance especially Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bloger.

[@user-hb4zz4gh5e]

The “Not to be shown to the Defense” scene from ‘In the name of the father’ should have at least been an honourable mention. The acting was amazing

[@LukeKetchum7003]

I was watching The Accused earlier tonight, and it has at least one good courtroom speech that I think should be on this f*cking list.

[@LukeKetchum7003]

1992 was a great year for courtroom dramas.

[@richbysina]

Lists being lists, and almost always subjective, I give credit to anyone who puts one together. But when I saw the first eight on this Courtroom Movie list, I knew Stanley Kramer's 1960 "Inherit the Wind" was gonna be #2 or #1...and it was neither! It got on your Honorable Mention list with four others, but in my "subjective" opinion, it certainly belongs in the Top Ten. (It can easily replace "Goodfellas".) The dialogue between defense attorney, played by Spencer Tracy, and a surprise witness, the prosecuting attorney, played by Fredric March, is one of film's most memorable scenes. And unlike most of the other Top Ten selections, the movie is based on actual, historic courtroom drama -- the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, involving Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan battling one another. And by the way, I agree with a couple of other Comments that the 1947 "Miracle on 34th Street" courtroom argument and judge's decision make it worthy for consideration to also be on your Top Ten list.

[@angelabowen1818]

Kate Winslet’s courtroom scene performance in The Reader I wish that scene had made the list or honorable mention.

[@literairydragonfly]

Um I seem to remember Caffee had been at JAG a while and just had a reputation of pleading everything

[@barbllm]

Susan Sarandon in The Client should've gotten an honorable mention.

[@JohnSmith-lf9fi]

ms doubtfire over the rock in walking tall lol

[@prosen8966]

A Few Good Men is captivating bc of Jack Nicholson’s performance, his overwhelming ego that snaps in court and allows him to state “the truth that regular ppl can’t handle bc it’s messy and horrifying and must involve illegal methods in order for Americans to sleep peacefully at night”. (That’s a paraphrase, & what I perceive the Colonel is basically saying to Cruise in his answer. But while AFGM has one of the most vivid courtroom scenes, To Kill A Mockingbird has a much more emotional, touching, & the most blatant show of racism that (as stated in the video) still stands true to this day. All of these Top 10 choices are subjective, but IMPO, TKAM stands above and beyond most of the other movies even mentioned in our choices (albeit, I recall Philadelphia having a stirring speech. I feel bad about the fact that I haven’t rewatched an Oscar winning film w Tom Hanks in such a long time.) TKAM was a fav novel, & I loved the movie so I’ve seen it more than most of the others (except, actually, AFGM, Kramer v Kramer, The Verdict, & Legally Blonde.) I would easily switch the top two films, but as mentioned, it’s a subjective choice. I simply think it’s the correct one. But considering the racial unease in America as I type these words, Mojo might think twice about the top picks, if only bc: how is it possible that things have not evolved in the last almost 60 years since the book was written?

[@jessicaballantyne5825]

I have Asperger syndrome, so I see Robin William's point in Mrs. Doubtfire.

[@9Risky]

“Congrats to everyone who is early and who found this comment”

[@charlotte241000]

A time to kills scene is the best

[@rmarieshen862]

I think of this one often, it has always stayed with me

[@SConArt87]

Are we not going to mention The Bee Movie?

[@thatguy8514]

No Miracle on 34th St.? No Sleepers?

[@AlvinZorDi]

KEVIN COSTNER in JFK is on top my list! Definitely not a mere honorable mention 🙄

[@TaraColquitt]

I agree it should have been in the list, but I don't know what to take out. lol

[@CarolHardesty]

Some other movies with great courtroom monologues that you should've included: "The Majestic", "Pleasantville", "Liar Liar", and the original "Miracle on 34th Street".

[@allycat8575]

A time to kill should have been no 1

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

*"With all due respect your honor, we don't live in this Courtroom though, do we?"* -- Denzel Washington, Philadelphia. That will always be Powerful and True!

[@shirlaanacoleman5644]

First Sunday should've gotten a honorable mention

[@WiLDCHiLD.]

"And this community is an insult to the world." Ain't that the fucking truth. It still baffles me that this bullshit is *_still_* going on. #HailScience!

[@aspiretoinspire9679]

Primal Fear is a surprising courtroom drama that delves into the intersection of crime and mental illness as Richard Gere's lawyer takes on a new case defending Edward Norton's character on a murder charge.😄😄😄😄

[@trinaq]

I agree, this is such an underrated movie, with solid performances from Gere and Norton, and the ending is so surprising when you first see it!

[@kristashafer93098]

Incredible movie! One of Gere’s best performances!!

[@TaraColquitt]

Wow, I love that movie. It may not be on the list since it had another device that made it so memorable as opposed to just the dialog.

[@kimble90126]

Woww

[@aleksandrakettner905]

🎄

[@margegarland7635]

I don't remember if there were any monologues, but if you do a list of great court scenes, you need to include murder in the first

[@marinacastillo3668]

Felicity Jones, as Ruth Bader at the end of On the Basis of Sex. Nicole Kidman at the end of the T1 of big little lies.

[@Michelle-ld2mi]

SPOILER I came here just to make sure "A Few Good Men" was at the top.

[@sunmoonstargirls7171]

All’s

[@simplyjuannie5128]

Maurica Tomei? Who's that? 🤣🤣🤣

[@robynelyse739]

There are many left out that were equally brilliant and powerful, the juror, the Nuremberg trials, suspects,godfather

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

There's no courtroom scene or monologue in "The Godfather."

[@robynelyse739]

@@michaelpalmieri7335 yes there is when they go to Nevada a brief scene regarding Corleone family crime dealings, review pt2 I think.

[@Alexindiegamedev]

What about the 2pac movie courtroom monologue

[@MrGabeanator]

All I’m looking for is you can’t handle the truth

[@corydennis5466]

#6???? Man watch out

[@hannahdoesacting5820]

I wish that the awesome courtroom scene from “On the Basis of Sex” was included #RBG

[@sophiabeatty3270]

M favorite is my cousin vinny

[@talevita]

I wonder how many people here like the court scenes from Cannibal: the Musical.

[@ObviouslyNotYou]

It’s never good when the jury of a court room is blinded by prejudice and race. Disgusted how the jury is still being swayed by this today. When are we going to stop judging people based on the color of their skin? #IHaveADream

[@shashiemoser5445]

If "A Time to Kill" isn't #1, this list is shit.

[@flowerthebeautyofnature7000]

First

[@jillmccallion4753]

All the movies for court is getting in their crime and they put them in the jail in their life’s

[@ChristalJ]

Why is this on Ms. Mojo? 💀 I didn’t know courtroom monologues were such a feminine interest.

[@user-hb4zz4gh5e]

A lot of female move watchers love courtroom stories, so I’m not surprised

[@theinvisibleme4104]

I don't like the voice of the narrator

[@jodiwatt743]

And IMHO I enjoyed the court scenes, however did not see the reason for the narrator.....to me she was irritating.

[@jnelletrim1478]

Remember God loves you!♥️ John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Please turn your life around and repent.🙏 The clock is ticking......

[@nikolatesla5553]

This list is a joke. Cinema history has countless great courtroom dramas that should be recognized over the absurdities of Legally Blond. Where is Paul Newman in The Verdict? Or maybe Jimmy Stewart in Anaromy of a Murder? Or Jodie Foster in The Accused? Richard Gere and Ed Norton in Primal Fear? Harrison Ford in Presumed Innocent? There are other greats. Legally Blond is a cute movie but it doesn't belong on this list.

[@Livithen86]

Don't know why it took me this long to realize something tho it's probably due to not watching this channel except recommendations for it pop up from time to time, anyway I realized this channel is nothing more then taking something probably made up by a guy on WatchMojo and once again just changing it to be female hens why the name is obviously watchmojo buy just removes watch to Ms. Made me notice it fits in with what bill Burr talks about how women wait for men to make stuff for them or make something first and then women swoop in and just replace a man made idea and switch it to fit females, bill always said stop waiting around for men to do shit for you and start making own stuff and I'm pretty sure this channel isn't what he had in mind as it's not technically female made and was just copy pasted from the original channel that was meant for every gender anyway. So not only did WatchMojo make a channel that had a variety of content for everyone but this channel copied a already existing channel but made it female focused, that's like those recent movies already made by men usually staring male leads people come in use the movie name and replace the male gender for female ones and that always comes off as sad and pandering.

[@alexandrakimbink3198]

A Time To Kill deserved better - really disappointed in you

[@cherylcouch-thomas8250]

Ewww, Tom Cruise?