Class action lawsuits have been around for centuries, but they have only become popular in recent decades. This is largely due to the fact that more and more people are becoming aware of their rights, and the power of a group of people working together to fight for justice. We have recently reviewed the 10 best legal movies of all time, and in this article, we will take a look at 10 must-watch class action lawsuit movies. These films tell powerful stories about ordinary people who fought against huge corporations and won.
The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they hear the term “class action lawsuit movie” is a film like A Civil Action, where John Travolta stars as a lawyer who fights on behalf of the townspeople of Woburn, Massachusetts against Cryovac. You may also think about Erin Brockovich which features Julia Roberts and her cleavage-baring outfits while she’s working as a legal assistant who helps Hinkley, California residents during a ground water contamination case – both films had been released within years apart from each other but still manage to create successful popcorn movies while showcasing important social themes going around today.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Susannah Grant. The film is a dramatization of the true story of Erin Brockovich, portrayed by Julia Roberts, who fought against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in an environmental class action lawsuit. The film was a commercial success, grossing $256 million worldwide, and was met with critical acclaim, with Roberts receiving the Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
If you’re looking for a movie that is both entertaining and informative, Erin Brockovich is a perfect choice and a perfect example of how class action lawsuits can be used to protect the rights of ordinary citizens, and it has had a significant impact on class action law in America.
The class action against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was filed in 1993. The case was brought on behalf of over 600 residents of Hinkley, California who alleged that PG&E had contaminated their groundwater with chromium-six. Chromium-six is a carcinogen, and the residents claimed that they had suffered health problems as a result of the contamination.
The case was settled in 1996 for $333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a class action lawsuit at that time. The settlement funds were used to pay for medical treatment for the residents, and to fund a groundwater cleanup program.
The class action against PG&E was one of the first cases to bring attention to the issue of chromium contamination in California. Since the case was settled, several other class-action lawsuits have been filed against PG&E and other companies over chromium contamination. In 2014, the State of California passed a law requiring utilities to disclose any chromium contamination in their groundwater.
Michael Clayton (2007)
Michael Clayton is a legal thriller movie released in 2007. The film was directed by Tony Gilroy and starred George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, and Sydney Pollack. Michael Clayton tells the story of a “fixer” for a large New York law firm who is assigned to clean up the firm’s dirty deeds. However, after he takes on too many cases and gets too close to the truth, he finds himself in danger. The movie was well-received by critics and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (George Clooney). Michael Clayton was a box office success, grossing over $92 million worldwide.
Although the movie does not acknowledge it and adds some dramatic elements to the reality, it takes more than coincidental inspiration from the life of a lawyer named Rob Billot employed at the law firm “Taft Stettinius & Hollister”. He was the corporate defense attorney for eight years for DuPont, before he broke out from the law firm and went against DuPont, and finally won the case.
Bilott’s story was the focus of a featured cover story by Nathaniel Rich in the New York Times Magazine, entitled, “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare”.
Dark Waters (2019)
Dark Waters is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller based on a true story. The film tells the story of lawyer Robert Bilott (played by Mark Ruffalo), who takes on a case against DuPont. Bilott represents a class of plaintiffs who allege that DuPont has released dangerous chemicals into the environment near one of its manufacturing plants. These chemicals have caused cancer and other health problems in residents of the area.
Bilott’s investigation leads him to discover that DuPont has been hiding evidence of the dangers of these chemicals for decades. He races against the clock to uncover the truth and prevent DuPont from destroying more lives. Dark Waters is an important film that will leave you questioning the safety of the products you use every day.
In 2014, a class-action lawsuit was filed against DuPont by the environmental group Earthjustice on behalf of Parkersburg resident Robert Bilott. The suit alleges that DuPont knew for decades that the chemical C-Eight, which is used to make Teflon, was causing health problems in the community but failed to warn residents or take steps to clean up the contamination. The case is still pending.
Concussion (2015)
The movie Concussion (2015) is based on a class-action lawsuit against the NFL. The movie starred Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the doctor who first discovered CTE in a football player. The movie was well-received by critics and was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Picture.
The class action was brought by the families of former NFL players who had died from CTE, as well as by several living former players. The plaintiffs alleged that the NFL had concealed information about the risks of concussions and failed to take adequate steps to protect players from those risks.
The case was settled in 2013, with the NFL agreeing to pay $765 million to the plaintiffs. However, the settlement did not admit any wrongdoing by the NFL.
Three Colors: Red (1994)
Red is the third and final film of the Three Colors trilogy, following Blue and White. The film centers around a class action lawsuit against a powerful businessman. Julie (Irene Jacob), a young model, becomes embroiled in the case after she witnesses a brutal murder. As she gets to know the people involved in the lawsuit, she begins to piece together the truth about the businessman’s crimes. Red is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you’re a fan of suspenseful movies, then this is one you won’t want to miss.
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
The class-action lawsuit depicted in The Sweet Hereafter (1997) is based on a real-life case that occurred in Newfoundland, Canada. The film tells the story of how a bus crash affects the small town of fictitious Sam Dent, and how lawyer Mitchell Stephens (played by Ian Holm) attempts to bring a class-action lawsuit against the bus company. The film was directed by Atom Egoyan and won the Grand Prix at Cannes.
The Sweet Hereafter (1997) is a powerful film that deals with difficult subjects such as loss, grief, and guilt. It is not an easy film to watch, but it is a rewarding one. If you are looking for a thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it, then this is the one.
Carnage (2011)
Carnage is a class action movie about two sets of parents who meet after their children are involved in a fight at school. The parents decide to meet and hash out the issue like civilized adults, but things quickly spiral out of control. This movie is a great example of how not to deal with conflict. It’s also a great reminder that we should all try to be more civil with each other.
Carnage was directed by Roman Polanski and stars Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. The movie is based on a play by Yasmina Reza.
North Country (2005)
In the movie North Country (2005), Charlize Theron plays Josey Aimes, a single mother who moves with her children to the fictional town of Eveleth, Minnesota, in order to escape an abusive relationship. However, she quickly discovers that life in Eveleth is not much better than the one she left behind. The town is plagued by class action lawsuits brought by the women who work in the local iron mine. Josey decides to join the class action lawsuit and fight for her rights.
The movie was directed and produced by Niki Caro. It also stars Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean, and Richard Jenkins. North Country was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $100 million at the box office. It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actress (Charlize Theron) and Best Supporting Actress (Frances McDormand).
The class action lawsuit Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines was about sexual harassment in the workplace. The case was brought by Lois Jenson and a group of female miners who alleged that they were subjected to sexual harassment and discrimination while working at the mine. The case resulted in a settlement in which the mine agreed to pay $150,000 to the plaintiffs and to implement policies to address sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines case is significant because it was one of the first class action lawsuits to successfully address sexual harassment in the workplace. The case set a precedent for other cases that have been brought against employers for failing to address sexual harassment in the workplace.
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The Castle (1997)
The Castle (1997) is a film that follows the residents of a small town who are fighting against the construction of a freeway that will destroy their homes. The residents take their fight to the court and eventually win. However, the victory is short-lived as the government appeals the decision. The residents must continue their fight in order to save their homes.
The film is a great example of class action lawsuits and how they can be used to fight for what is right. The residents of the town are fighting for their homes and their way of life. They are willing to take on the government in order to save their homes.
The class action was brought by residents of the Melbourne suburb of Bulla against the Victorian Minister for Planning. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria, with Justice Philip Mandie finding that while the decision to issue the planning permit was lawful the process by which it was arrived at was procedurally unfair. The court quashed the planning permit and ordered the minister to pay the residents’ legal costs.
Little Accidents (2014)
The class-action lawsuit movie shows the fight against a coal company, and the film follows the lawyer hired to represent the families of the dead miners. The case takes a personal toll on him as he uncovers secrets about the night of the accident.
The film is set in a small town in West Virginia, and it captures the feeling of despair that comes from living in a place where the only hope for a better life is to escape. The characters are all struggling with their own demons, and they are all damaged in some way. The film is about grief, and how it can destroy a community. It is also about hope, and how even the most damaged people can find a way to move on.