Bringemovies
← Browse TV Shows
The People's Court
TITLE DETAILS

The People's Court

· 44 min / episode · ★ 6.9

Reality · Crime

The People's Court is an American arbitration-based reality court show currently presided over by retired Florida State Circuit Court Judge Marilyn Milian. Milian, the show's longest-reigning arbiter, handles small claims disputes in a simulated courtroom set. The People's Court is the first court show to use binding arbitration, introducing the format into the genre in 1981. The system has been duplicated by most of the show's successors in the judicial genre. Moreover, The People's Court is the first popular, long-running reality in the judicial genre. It was preceded only by a few short-lived realities in the genre; these short-lived predecessors were only loosely related to judicial proceedings, except for one: Parole took footage from real-life courtrooms holding legal proceedings. Prior to The People's Court, the vast majority of TV courtroom shows used actors, and recreated or fictional cases. Among examples of these types of court shows include Famous Jury Trials and Your Witness. The People's Court has had two contrasting lives. The show's first life was presided over solely by former Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Wapner. His tenure lasted from the show's debut on September 14, 1981, until May 21, 1993, when the show was cancelled due to low ratings. This left the show with a total of 2,484 ½-hour episodes and 12 seasons. The show was taped in Los Angeles during its first life. After being cancelled, reruns aired until September 9, 1994.

Open detail page

Trailers are previews, not full movies.

No authorized playback source configured. Use the legal watch options below.

Production details

Creators
John Masterson
Production companies
Warner Bros. Television, Ralph Edwards-Stu Billet Productions
Countries
United States of America
Status
Returning Series

Top Cast

Cast unavailable.

Title information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.

Where to watch

Availability provided by JustWatch via TMDb. Offers can change. Provider links are listed on TMDb; full playback requires a separately authorized source.

Seasons & episodes

Recommendations

Inspector George Gently
★ 7.9
Inspector George Gently2008Crime

Crime drama set in the 1960s about an old-school detective trying to come to terms with a time when the lines between the police and criminals have become blurred.

Under Salt Marsh
★ 6.6
Under Salt Marsh2026Crime

Morfa Halen is a tight-knit Welsh town precariously nestled between towering mountains and a fast-encroaching sea that threatens its very existence. As a once-in-a-generation storm begins to gather far out at sea, former detective turned teacher Jackie Ellis discovers the body of her 8-year-old pupil, Cefin, seemingly drowned. The discovery sends shockwaves through the community, reviving the ghost of an unsolved cold case that rocked the town three years prior - the disappearance of Jackie’s niece, Nessa, which cost her career.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown
★ 7.4
WWE Friday Night SmackDown1999Reality

The superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment's "SmackDown" brand collide each and every Friday on WWE Friday Night SmackDown.

The Ultimate Fighter
★ 6.6
The Ultimate Fighter2005Reality

The next generation of UFC stars are produced in an intense elimination tournament that separates the contenders from the pretenders.

Prisoner
★ 5.8
Prisoner2026Crime

A young and ambitious prison officer finds herself in the middle of a battle for the criminal underworld as crime lords try to evade justice. But in order to do that, she will have to learn quickly to put her faith in one of the very men she wants to put behind bars.

Squid Game: The Challenge
★ 6.5
Squid Game: The Challenge2023Reality

In this reality competition show inspired by "Squid Game," 456 players put their skills to the ultimate test for a life-changing $4.56 million prize.

Dancing with the Stars
★ 6.2
Dancing with the Stars2005Reality

The competition sees celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts and voted on by viewers. Enjoy sizzling salsas, sambas and spray-tans as they vie for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

American Gladiators
★ 5.8
American Gladiators1988Reality

American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired weekly in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility. The concept was created by Dan Carr and John C. Ferraro, who held the original competition at Erie Tech High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. They sold the show to The Samuel Goldwyn Company where the concept was enhanced and became American Gladiators. An effort in 2004 to launch a live American Gladiators show on the Las Vegas Strip became mired in a securities fraud prosecution. However, the television series was restarted in 2008. Episodes from the original series were played on ESPN Classic from 2007 to 2009. Several episodes are available for download on Apple's iTunes Service.

Celebrity Family Feud
★ 7.7
Celebrity Family Feud2015Reality

Celebrity Family Feud pits celebrities and their families against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to survey-type questions posed to 100 people.

The Green Hornet
★ 7.4
The Green Hornet1966Crime

The Green Hornet is a television series on the ABC US television network that aired for the 1966–1967 TV season starring Van Williams as the Green Hornet/Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as Kato.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
★ 6.2
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills2010Reality

A reality series that follows some of the most affluent women in the country as they enjoy the lavish lifestyle that only Beverly Hills can provide.

Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
★ 7.8
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory2009Reality

A crew of people come up with new things to do every week. One day, they may work on a business franchise. Another day, they might go and make someone ride a bull, or shoot burritos at people.

90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way
★ 7.8
90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way2019Reality

Americans move to a foreign country all in the name of love. Will uprooting their lives in the United States pay off, or will they be packing up and moving back to America brokenhearted?

Property Brothers
★ 7.7
Property Brothers2011Reality

Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott help home buyers to purchase renovation projects.

The Iris Affair
★ 6.4
The Iris Affair2025Crime

A rootless genius, Iris Nixon, steals an enigmatic code from a charming philanthropist and disappears. A tense countdown ensues as she races to unravel the code's mystery.

Taken
★ 7.5
Taken2002Crime

The show takes place from 1944 to 2002 and follows the lives of three families: the Crawfords, who seek to cover up the Roswell crash and the existence of aliens; the Keys, who are subject to frequent experimentation by the aliens; and the Clarkes, who sheltered one of the surviving aliens from the crash.

Celebrity Big Brother
★ 5.9
Celebrity Big Brother2018Reality

Follow a group of American celebrities living together in a house outfitted with 87 HD cameras and more than 100 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day. Each week, someone will be voted out of the house, with the last remaining Houseguest receiving a grand prize.

World of Dance
★ 8.2
World of Dance2017Reality

Dancers battle in heats of artistry, precision and athleticism in this reality-competition show.

Selena + Chef
★ 8.7
Selena + Chef2020Reality

Since social distancing at home, Selena Gomez has been spending more time in the kitchen than she ever imagined. But despite her many talents, it remains to be seen if cooking is one of them. In each episode, Selena will be joined remotely by a different master chef.

Fear Factor
★ 7.3
Fear Factor2017Reality

This refresh of the breakthrough series is hosted by Ludacris and custom-created for a new generation. Filled with new stunts inspired by urban legends, popular scary movies and viral videos from today’s cultural zeitgeist, contestants will confront their fears, be pushed beyond their comfort zones and take action against some of their biggest stressors.

Similar titles

Everyday Justice
★ 8.0
Everyday Justice2022Reality

Three lawyers with strong and unique characters settle disputes that fall under the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court. In addition to hearing the cases, the champions of justice give us privileged access to the debates leading up to the verdict. Who will win the case? How much will be paid as compensation? It will be up to the three lawyers to decide... and the production to pay the damages!

Matlock
★ 7.0
Matlock1986Crime

Thrifty, folksy and cantankerous, Matlock charges a premium for his services but is worth every penny: This renowned attorney, always clothed in his trademark light-gray suit and driving his signature Ford Crown Victoria, has an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers in dramatic courtroom scenes.

Michael Jackson: The Trial
★ 8.9
Michael Jackson: The Trial2026Crime

This series delivers startling new revelations about the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson - with exclusive footage and unheard audio tapes of Jackson, close insiders and the LA police.

Justice with Judge Mablean
★ 5.3
Justice with Judge Mablean2014Reality

Judge Mablean Ephriam, who presided over "Divorce Court" from 1999-2006 as the first star of the revived version of the show, returns to the courtroom genre with his half-hour series that deals with life and the law. The former Los Angeles-based prosecutor takes on the typical cases that are found on TV court shows. The arbitrator says that her show "will be life because everything we do, it involves the law."

Court Cam
★ 8.4
Court Cam2019Reality · Crime

An in-depth examination of some of the most stunning and emotional courtroom moments caught on camera, from frightening outbursts to furious judges.

Crime & Punishment
★ 8.5
Crime & Punishment2002Reality

Crime & Punishment is a 2002 reality television, nontraditional court show spin-off of the Law & Order franchise. It premiered on NBC on Sunday, June 16, 2002, and ran through the summers of 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Das Strafgericht
★ 7.8
Das Strafgericht2002Reality

Caso Cerrado
★ 8.1
Caso Cerrado2002Reality

Caso Cerrado, formerly Sala de Parejas, is a Spanish-language court show broadcast by Telemundo in which Cuban-born lawyer Ana María Polo arbitrates cases for volunteer participants.

Judge Judy
★ 5.7
Judge Judy1996Crime

Judge Judy is an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by retired Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin. The show features Sheindlin adjudicating real-life small claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set. All parties involved must sign contracts, agreeing to arbitration under Sheindlin. The series is in first-run syndication and distributed by CBS Television Distribution. Judge Judy, which premiered on September 16, 1996, reportedly revitalized the court show genre. Only two other arbitration-based reality court shows preceded it, The People's Court and Jones and Jury. Sheindlin has been credited with introducing the "tough" adjudicating approach into the judicial genre, which has led to several imitators. The two court shows that outnumber Judge Judy's seasons, The People's Court and Divorce Court, have both lasted via multiple lives of production and shifting arbiters, making Sheindlin's span as a television arbiter the longest.

De Rechtbank
Not rated
De Rechtbank2011Reality

Belgian reality soap around court cases.

Hot Bench
★ 4.6
Hot Bench2014Reality · Crime

A panel of three judges hear court cases, argue the merits of the case amongst themselves, and render a verdict.

L'arbitre
Not rated
L'arbitre2011Reality

Popular lawyer Anne-France Goldwater takes an honest look at real legal cases that are as unusual as they are hard to settle!

Close to Home
★ 5.9
Close to Home2005Crime

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Sex In Court2007Reality

Sex In Court is a British factual entertainment series which premiered on E4 on 29 March 2007. It takes a look at bedroom politics within modern relationships. The pilot features mother of two Rachel, who brings her husband Guy to court over a clash of lovemaking styles. Each episode sees people put on trial by their partner, or ex-partner. In a formal, court-like atmosphere, each party will be thoroughly cross-examined by a judge. Due to its nature E4 will air this programme after the watershed. The theme of the programme is very similar to Playboy TV's Sex Court.

Sex & Murder
★ 7.0
Sex & Murder2020Crime

Sex and murder are often tied together in criminal investigations; and detectives uncover dirty secrets, scandalous sex affairs, online sex addictions, jealousy and stunning twisted fantasies when looking for motives for murder.

Judge Mills Lane
★ 9.0
Judge Mills Lane1998Reality

Judge Mills Lane is an American television series and arbitration-based reality court show that ran in first-run syndication from August 17, 1998 to September 7, 2001. Reruns later aired on The National Network. The show was produced by John Tomlin and Bob Young for Hurricane Entertainment Corporation, and distributed by Rysher Entertainment. The show's judge was Mills Lane. Mills Lane was previously a well-known professional boxing referee, as shown in the show's intro; "he's been a boxer, a lawyer, a prosecutor, and a referee." The intro also declared Lane to be "America's Judge." Lane uses his catchphrase "Let's get it on!" at the beginning of each case, and occasionally when someone states something that is either quite obvious or tried to deceive him, he usually states "I may have been born at night, but I wasn't born last night!"

Judged
★ 6.3
Judged2024Reality

All rise for the Honorable Judge Walsh, court is now in session. Watch Matt Walsh bring his iconic deadpan delivery of common sense solutions to real life litigants with actual petty grievances. Find humor in the judiciary process in this fresh take on the reality courtroom genre.

We the People with Gloria Allred
★ 9.0
We the People with Gloria Allred2011Reality · Crime

We the People with Gloria Allred is an American nontraditional/dramatized court show that debuted in first-run syndication on September 12, 2011. The series is presented by famed celebrity lawyer/attorney Gloria Allred, who also serves as co-producer with series creator Byron Allen through his production company Entertainment Studios, LLC. John Cramer does the narration of the judge's final verdict.

Judge Steve Harvey
★ 5.0
Judge Steve Harvey2022Reality

Steve Harvey employs his own life experiences and some good old common sense as he expands his resume by taking on the roles of judge and jury in the courtroom. Harvey welcomes a variety of conflicts and characters to his courtroom -- from small claims to big disputes and everything in between -- where, playing by his own rules, he helps to settle his guests' cases with his own unique comedic flair.

Accomplice to Murder
Not rated
Accomplice to Murder2023Crime

In this new original series, Court TV’s Vinnie Politan travels across the country to speak with accomplices — the convicted, condemned and exonerated — who share a unique look into cases and verdicts that might not be as clear-cut as initially thought. The series is told using Court TV’s unrivaled coverage of trials spanning nearly two decades. Each episode features unique stories and a cast of characters who face life in prison for crimes they may or may not have committed.

Your favorites

Recently viewed

Watch

Choose an authorized server.

Full video from an operator-configured authorized source. Official trailers use a separate player. If a server fails, retry or select another authorized server.

Legal watch options

Official trailer

Trailer preview only. Press Play to start.

Privacy choices

Favorites stay in your browser. Movie images load from TMDb. YouTube trailers contact YouTube only after you allow external media and choose a trailer. Advertising consent, if ads are enabled, is managed separately by the operator’s certified CMP.

Privacy policy

After allowing external media, choose the trailer button to load its player.