While not a legal story per se, this film is about the crimes and cover-ups that led to criminal and civil litigation against the Roman Catholic Church after allegations surfaced that priests had been molesting boys in Boston. Based on a true story, Spotlight follows a team of Boston Globe reporters who investigate the accusations of abuse and uncover evidence that the church conspired to hide knowledge of it. The stellar ensemble cast includes Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo and Brian d’Arcy James. The film is a tribute to investigative journalism and the power of the press.

Trivia: The film won the best picture and best original screenplay Oscars in 2016. The Boston Globe won the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for its series of stories about the sexual abuse scandal.

See our August 2018 cover story: “The 25 Greatest Legal Movies.”