Tom Hanks is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and has delivered some iconic films throughout his career. Hanks began his film career in the 1980s, gaining success later in the decade before becoming a superstar in the ’90s, winning two consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. Hanks’ filmography has managed to find both great commercial success and award recognition, with many of his best films being classics that appeal to widespread audiences.
Tom Hanks has succeeded in both serious dramas and light-hearted comedies, making classic films in almost every genre. He’s also known for his endearing off-screen personality, earning him recognition as one of Hollywood’s most beloved movie stars. He’s had frequent collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and Robert Zemeckis, four adventures as Woody in the Toy Story films, and has dipped into romantic comedies in some of Nora Ephron’s best films.
10 Toy Story 3 (2010)
Every addition to the main Toy Story saga has been fantastic, but Toy Story 3 captured the perfect mix of modern animation and emotional storytelling. The third installment is a masterpiece for all ages, touching on themes of nostalgia, growing up, and saying goodbye to childhood that perfectly resonated with viewers who had seen the first films as younger kids. Tom Hanks brings Woody to life in every installment, helping transform the toy into one of the most well-developed and endearing animated characters in cinema.
9 Philadelphia (1993)
Pairing Tom Hanks with another legendary movie star like Denzel Washington is a recipe for success. Philadelphia tells an important and impactful story about discrimination, societal prejudices, and the seriousness of HIV/AIDS. The 1993 classic mixes legal drama with a tale about heartfelt human connections, bringing incredible performances out of its leads and earning Tom Hanks his first Oscar. His performance as Andrew Beckett offers a realistic glimpse at the physical and emotional toll of AIDS, and his transformation as he grows sicker is deeply moving and powerful.
8 Cast Away (2000)
Tom Hanks reunited with Robert Zemeckis for the 2000 film Cast Away, which sees the star as a man stranded alone on an island for years. Cast Away offers one of the most psychologically-driven Tom Hanks performances, allowing his talents to take center stage as he largely carries the movie on his own. The film is thrilling and visceral, conveying an emotionally resonant story of isolation and resilience that has captivated audiences for decades.
7 Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
Both Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail are excellent Tom Hanks films and excellent rom-coms, but the former takes the cake as the better Nora Ephron film. Sleepless in Seattle is one of the best romantic comedies ever, telling a heart-warming tale of chance romance that builds up toward its final moment atop the Empire State Building. The role of Sam Baldwin is one of Tom Hanks’ most charming and likable, which is saying something for the set of characters he’s played.
6 A League Of Their Own (1992)
The early ’90s was a great era for sports films, with the all-female baseball team film A League of Their Own standing out as one of the best and most unique. Tom Hanks plays coach Jimmy Dugan, bringing humor and heart as he grows from being apathetic to having genuine affection for the team. In a film about the strength of women in a male-dominated field, Hanks plays a fantastic supporting role that shows why audiences adore him so much.
5 The Green Mile (1999)
The Green Mile is one of the darkest films in Tom Hanks’ filmography, making it a rare and exciting stand-out. The 1999 film is adapted from a Stephen King novel and directed by The Shawshank Redemption’s Frank Darabont, making for an exciting, talented team behind the project. The Green Mile tells a captivating tale about redemption and empathy, with Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan giving unbelievable performances. Hanks’ Paul Edgecomb is one of the actor’s most complex roles, wrestling with ideas of justice and compassion.
4 Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can is one of the best films from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg’s collaborations, also starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Tom Hanks takes a backseat as FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, playing the obsessive and persistent lawman who’s the perfect foil for Leo’s charming Frank Abagnale. Catch Me If You Can is a tale of deception and pursuit, making it a rare find in Tom Hanks’ filmography which rarely contains anything in the crime genre.
3 Apollo 13 (1995)
Based on the events of the real space mission of the same name, Apollo 13 is a disaster film set in space. Directed by another of Hanks’ frequent collaborators, the Ron Howard drama offers a gripping portrayal of a real-life crisis that had captured the minds of Americans for decades. Apollo 13 is well-regarded for its attention to detail, involving NASA to help engineer as realistic of an adaptation of space travel as possible. Hanks plays the role of Commander Jim Lovell, one of the more nuanced characters in his filmography and also one of the many Tom Hanks roles based on real people.
2 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is one of the greatest war films ever made and is one of the best projects in Tom Hanks’ career. It’s his first collaboration with Steven Spielberg as the director, who had also made the World War II film Schindler’s List in the same decade. Saving Private Ryan examines the war from a different perspective, telling a story of heroism and valor as Captain John Miller leads his soldiers to rescue the titular Private Ryan, exploring the horrific violence of the war. Many war films have followed, but the 1998 classic still remains one of the most well-known in the genre.
1 Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump is the best Tom Hanks movie, with his iconic performance as the titular character being his most memorable and endearing role. The 1994 classic follows the life of Forrest through varying chapters in his extraordinary fictional life, from the Vietnam War to his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. Not only did Tom Hanks win the Academy Award for Best Actor, but Forrest Gump took home the Best Picture prize, solidifying it as one of the greatest and most recognizable films of all time.
