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The Pelican Brief

6.619932h 21mPG-13MovieThrillerCrimeDrama

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

DirectorAlan J. Pakula
WriterAlan J. Pakula
ProducersAlan J. Pakula·Pieter Jan Brugge

Where to watch

YouTube FreeYouTube Free
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Alan J. Pakula

JRJulia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Darby Shaw
DWDenzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Gray Grantham
SSSam Shepard
Sam Shepard
Thomas Callahan
JHJohn Heard
John Heard
Gavin Vereek
TGTony Goldwyn
Tony Goldwyn
Fletcher Coal
JSJames B. Sikking
James B. Sikking
Denton Voyles
WAWilliam Atherton
William Atherton
Bob Gminski
RCRobert Culp
Robert Culp
The President
STStanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci
Khamel
HCHume Cronyn
Hume Cronyn
Justice Rosenberg
JLJohn Lithgow
John Lithgow
Smith Keen
AHAnthony Heald
Anthony Heald
Marty Velmano

More from Julia Roberts · Lead actress

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More from Denzel Washington · Co-star actor

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Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
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More from Alan J. Pakula · Director

All the President's Men
All the President's Men
1976 · 7.7
Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent
1990 · 6.8
The Devil's Own
The Devil's Own
1997 · 6.2
Sophie's Choice
Sophie's Choice
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Starting Over
Starting Over
1979 · 6.4
The Parallax View
The Parallax View
1974 · 6.8
Consenting Adults
Consenting Adults
1992 · 5.4
Klute
Klute
1971 · 6.8
Comes a Horseman
Comes a Horseman
1978 · 6.1
See You in the Morning
See You in the Morning
1989 · 6.0
See all fromAlan J. Pakula

More like this

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The Pelican Brief — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Pelican Brief?

The Pelican Brief is streaming on YouTube Free in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Pelican Brief on Netflix?

No, The Pelican Brief is not on Netflix in United States as of October 2026. It's currently on YouTube Free.

Is The Pelican Brief on Amazon Prime Video?

The Pelican Brief isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The Pelican Brief for free?

The Pelican Brief is available to stream free (with ads) on YouTube Free in United States.