John Grisham Movies On Netflix: John Ray Grisham Jr. is commonly known as John Grisham. His name is a name that is deeply remembrance by Law & Legal Fraternity. After pursuing his second calling, Grisham was an Attorney and Politician.
His first novel, The Firm, was a success. It became a bestselling novel in 1991. John Grisham is a legal thriller legend. The Literature world was obsessed with Fantasy and Romance, and the legal thriller genre gripped its readers. The legendary director Sydney Pollack gave his books a new life after they topped nearly all Best-selling lists.
Grisham was a prominent filmmaker in the ’90s after Pollack’s legal thriller. He became the most sought-after author of his time. Many John Grisham novels were made into movies and television shows. The adaptations of his novels were a commercial and critical success. Many of the greatest directors of the ’90s used Grisham’s novels and books to create masterpieces. Robert Altman and Alan Jay Pakula and an ensemble cast made his novels a successful cinematic venture.
John Grisham has had a remarkable impact on the entertainment industry through his films and TV series work. Apart from crime thrillers, the author was also responsible for sports. Grisham is a well-respected author who has received numerous awards. Here’s a list of the top John Grisham movies ranked. These John Grisham movies are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.
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John Grisham Movies On Netflix
10. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas is a New York Times Bestseller. Joe Roth’s Christmas with Cranks is a Christmas comedy film written and produced by Chris Columbus. The story follows a family who decides not to celebrate Christmas without their daughter. Because of this decision, the couple is considered outcasts and oppressed by their neighbors. Although the film received mixed reviews, it was a modest box-office hit.
9. The Chamber (1996)
This story is about Adam Hall (Chris O’Donnell), who returns to his hometown to challenge his grandfather’s death sentence. Sam Cayhall (Gene Hackman) is convicted for the murder of two Jewish children thirty years ago. Adam is faced with a dilemma because his grandfather was responsible for Adam’s father’s suicide. The Chamber (Novel), which was not completed by the author when Grisham sold the rights, was considered a reason for the film’s failure.
Gene Hackman stole the show with his crude performance. The Chamber was a box-office disaster and also failed to impress from a critical perspective. The novel gained popularity in 1994, but the film was not as popular. Critics believe that James Foley, the Director of the film, was incapable of successfully transforming the novel’s artistic content.
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8. Mickey (2004)
‘Mickey,’ the only film on the list that is not based upon John Grisham’s novel, was instead a script written by him. It’s a sports drama about a father who files a wrongly filed suit because he was bankrupt due to his wife’s death. The IRS department revealed the truth and force him to leave the area and his identity.
His son excels in baseball at a new location and is popular. His father was also disqualified and arrested by the IRS as a result. Mickey is not as well-known as other movies on the list. Although it was not a success at the box office, critics praised the unique take by Grisham that broke with his usual genre.
7. The Pelican Brief (1993).
Alan J. Pakula’s last film as producer and writer was Pelican Brief. It starred Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in the lead roles. It was released the same year that ‘The Client.’ Based on John Grisham’s 1992 third novel, The Pelican Brief. This film follows the assassination of two supreme court justices. Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts), an undergraduate law student, accurately recounts the murder mystery surrounding the judges but is later threatened with death.
Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), a journalist, later contacts Darby about the assassinations. As the story unfolds, many secrets are revealed. Roger Ebert gave the film a positive review, describing it as a chilling, fast-paced thriller. According to the author, it was a fair adaptation of his novel. John Grisham was a popular writer in the film industry, and the film made it a box-office hit.
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6. Time to Kill (1996)
Joel Schumacher praised Grisham for his writing and work. A Time to Kill was his second directorial venture, based on the author’s novel. Grisham’s debut novel was made by an ensemble cast that included Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock, as well as Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. The film tells the story of Tonya, a young girl who is brutally raped, and her father’s fight against them in court.
He takes matters into his own hands when justice is not done. This is a powerful courtroom drama with a compelling story. The cast and the director both gave outstanding performances. Roger Ebert was impressed by the film’s plot and performances. The movie’s apology for the death penalty and the right to self-defense sparked controversy. It was released in France with the title “A Right to Kill?”. However, it became a critical and commercial success.
5. Runaway Jury (2003/4)
Based on the seventh novel of Grisham’s, Gary Fleder consolidated two cinema giants, Dustin Hoffman & Gene Hackman. Although there are some differences between the novel & the movie, they both promise a similar cat-and-mouse chase. A woman files a lawsuit against gun manufacturers to revoke a mass murder-suicide case. The case brings together legends. Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman) is a ruthless but brilliant jury consultant against Wendall Rohr (Dustin Hoffman).
The whole situation is altered suddenly by the manipulation of the seemingly cat-and-mouse chase. Both characters are agitated by the sale of the Jury. John Grisham thought it was “smart” as well as “suspenseful” but was disappointed by the marginal collection. We also saw the “Clash of Titans,” where the veterans performed brilliantly. Gene Hackman was second on the list. The first was ‘The Firm.’
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4. The Gingerbread Man (1998)
The Gingerbread Man is a testament to the importance of Grisham’s writing. He left behind a manuscript that was vital enough to be used by filmmakers. One of the most revered filmmakers of all time, Robert Altman, directed it. The Gingerbread Man is an exciting experience in the crime drama. It focuses on Rick Magruder, a corrupt lawyer (Kenneth Branagh), who files a lawsuit against Dixon Doss ( Robert Duvall). Dixon’s daughter influences him, and he sends him to Mental Asylum.
He eventually breaks free and threatens Rick’s family. Truths begin to emerge as the story progresses. Robert Altman was praised for his Direction and modifications to the script. Robert Duvall was also highly praised for Kenneth Branagh’s performance. Despite this, the film was a disaster in post-production and distribution. Robert Altman is credited with making it one of the most memorable thrillers. After reviewing the movie, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert gave it their “two thumbs up” famed endorsement.
3. The Firm (1993).
John Grisham’s first step to fame was with The Firm, his best-selling novel from 1991. This legal thriller was adapted by Sydney Pollack into a feature movie starring Tom Cruise, and Gene Hackman. The film portrays Mitch McDeere as a Law student who is lured by the money and perks offered by a law firm. When dark truths about his firm are revealed, McDeere finds himself in a hostile situation.
The Firm was regarded as one of the most thrilling thrillers. It turned out to be a profitable venture. Roger Ebert, who praised Gene Hackman and Tom Cruise’s performances, gave The Firm 3 stars out of 4. John Grisham’s bestseller can be seen on television later, with a series with the same name aired by NBC. Grisham became a producer for this series.
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2. The Client (1994).
Joel Schumacher directed this legal thriller. It was based on John Grisham’s fourth novel, ‘The Client.’ The film was a huge success thanks to the amazing storyline and the participation of Susan Saanson and Tommy Lee Jones. Two brothers witness the murder of a mob lawyer. One of them is now in serious mental illness. Authorities and the mob are worried that the lawyer may have revealed their secrets to these children.
Assassins follow them, the children are in grave danger. Regina Love (Susan Saanson), an alcoholic advocate, helps the kids. Both the audience and critics praised the fast pace and chilling atmosphere. Susan Saanson’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike. She received a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The Golden Globe was also awarded to her that year.
1. The Rainmaker (1997)
This time, Francis Ford Coppola took John Grisham’s piece. The Rainmaker, Grisham’s sixth courtroom thriller, was adapted by a stellar cast, including Matt Damon and Claire Danes, Jon Voight, and Danny DeVito. It is a Grisham-based movie that can be considered one of the ‘Best Directed Movies.’ Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) is a young man from an impoverished family. After completing Law school, he finds himself stuck in a career that is not sustainable.
He becomes an “ambulance chaser” for work and money. Rudy learns later that clients are not just wealthy but also victims. The performances of Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, and Jon Voight were praised by critics. Jon Voight received several nominations for his supporting role. The Rainmaker was a moderately successful commercial film that received critical praise. His Screenwriting and Direction were outstanding. This film deserves to be at the top of the list.
