The Judge (2014)
Kernel Score: 84% · 4,367 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 2014-10-08
Runtime: 141 minutes
Is The Judge worth watching?
Worth watching. A slick lawyer returns home to defend his estranged father, a judge accused of murder. It's a predictable but well-acted family-and-courtroom drama, mostly worth seeing for its two lead performances.
Watch it if you
- like father-son dramas
- enjoy courtroom stories
- are fine with a predictable but moving film
Skip it if you
- dislike sentimental family dramas
- want legal realism
Best for: Weekend drama night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Judge
- Stream: Prime Video, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Free with ads: YouTube
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A successful lawyer returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral only to discover that his estranged father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder.
The Judge parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Judge is an R-rated courtroom drama about a father-son conflict and a murder trial.
- Language: Some — Contains some strong language typical of an R-rated courtroom drama.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Judge
If you liked The Judge, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) — 88%: Classic story of a small-town lawyer and a moral trial.
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) — 86%: Classic courtroom drama with a flawed lawyer.
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) — 86%: Moving family drama with strong acting.
- The Glass Castle (2017) — 80%: Family drama about a difficult father.
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) — 89%: Twisty courtroom classic.
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%: The great courtroom drama.
Director
David Dobkin
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Hank Palmer
- Robert Duvall as Joseph Palmer
- Vera Farmiga as Samantha Powell
- Vincent D'Onofrio as Glen Palmer
- Jeremy Strong as Dale Palmer
- Dax Shepard as C.P. Kennedy
- Billy Bob Thornton as Dwight Dickham
- Leighton Meester as Carla Powell
- Ken Howard as Judge Warren
- Emma Tremblay as Lauren Palmer
The Judge FAQ
Is The Judge worth watching?
Worth watching. A slick lawyer returns home to defend his estranged father, a judge accused of murder. It's a predictable but well-acted family-and-courtroom drama, mostly worth seeing for its two lead performances.
Where can I watch The Judge?
In the US you can stream The Judge on Prime Video and Cinemax Apple TV channel, watch it free with ads on YouTube and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is The Judge OK for kids?
The Judge is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Judge is an R-rated courtroom drama about a father-son conflict and a murder trial.
What movies are like The Judge?
If you liked The Judge, try To Kill a Mockingbird, Anatomy of a Murder, Kramer vs. Kramer and The Glass Castle.