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Tom Hanks movies are spread throughout variety of genres, from comedy to drama, from romance to thriller, from historical to sci-fi. He has won two Oscars, four Golden Globes, and seven Emmys, among many other awards and nominations.
He is also a producer, director, writer, and philanthropist. In this blog post, we will look at 10 of his best movies that showcase his range and skill as an actor.
These are not ranked in any order, but rather chosen based on their popularity, critical acclaim, and cultural impact.
These are some of the Tom Hanks movies that you should not miss.
Forrest Gump (1994)
This is perhaps the most iconic role of Tom Hanks, who plays the titular character, a simple-minded but kind-hearted man.
Who witnesses and influences some of the major events of the 20th Century The movie is based on a novel by Winston Groom and directed by Robert Zemeckis.
It features a stellar cast that includes Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, and Mykelti Williamson. The movie won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tom Hanks.
It also became a cultural phenomenon, spawning memorable quotes, merchandise, and even a restaurant chain.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
This is another Oscar-winning movie that stars Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller, a World War II soldier.
He leads a squad of men to find and rescue Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers have been killed in action.
The movie is directed by Steven Spielberg and features a realistic and brutal depiction of the war, especially in the opening scene that recreates the Normandy landings.
The movie also has an impressive ensemble cast that includes Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, Jeremy Davies, and Paul Giamatti. The movie won five Oscars, including Best Director for Spielberg.
Toy Story (1995)
This is the first feature-length computer-animated film ever made and the first installment of the successful Toy Story franchise.
Tom Hanks voices Woody, a cowboy doll who is the leader of a group of toys that belong to a boy named Andy.
When Andy gets a new toy, Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), Woody feels threatened and tries to get rid of him.
However, they end up lost and have to work together to get back to Andy. The movie is directed by John Lasseter and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It was a critical and commercial success and received three Oscar nominations.
Cast Away (2000)
This is another collaboration between Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis that earned Hanks his fifth Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
He plays Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive who survives a plane crash and gets stranded on a deserted island for four years.
He has to cope with isolation, hunger, injury, and weather while trying to find a way to escape.
The movie also stars Helen Hunt as Chuck’s girlfriend Kelly and Wilson the volleyball as Chuck’s only companion on the island. The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of survival and its emotional impact.
The Green Mile (1999)
This is an adaptation of a novel by Stephen King that stars Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, a death row prison guard who encounters John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a gentle giant who has supernatural healing powers.
The movie is directed by Frank Darabont and explores themes of racism, justice, faith, and redemption. The movie also features David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Sam Rockwell, and Doug Hutchison in supporting roles.
The movie was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Duncan.
Big (1988)
This is one of the earliest movies that showcased Tom Hanks’ comedic talent and charm, he plays Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy.
Who wishes to be big at a carnival machine and wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). He has to deal with adult life while trying to find a way to return to his normal self.
The movie is directed by Penny Marshall and co-stars Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, and Jared Rushton. The movie was a box office hit and earned Hanks his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Philadelphia (1993)
This is the movie that won Tom Hanks his first Oscar for Best Actor. He plays Andrew Beckett, a successful lawyer who is fired from his firm after they discover that he has AIDS.
He hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a homophobic lawyer who is the only one willing to take his case and sue his former employers for discrimination.
The movie is directed by Jonathan Demme and tackles the issues of AIDS, homosexuality, and prejudice in a sensitive and powerful way.
The movie also features Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio Banderas, and Joanne Woodward in supporting roles.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
This is another collaboration between Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg that is based on a true story.
Hanks plays Carl Hanratty, an FBI agent who pursues Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young con artist who impersonates various professions and forges millions of dollars in checks.
The movie is a cat-and-mouse game between the two characters, who develop mutual respect and admiration for each other. The movie also stars Christopher Walken, Amy Adams, Martin Sheen, and Jennifer Garner in supporting roles.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This is a historical drama that depicts the true story of the Apollo 13 mission, which was intended to be the third lunar landing but suffered a malfunction that endangered the lives of the three astronauts on board.
Tom Hanks plays Jim Lovell, the commander of the mission, who has to work with his crew and the ground control to find a way to return safely to Earth.
The movie is directed by Ron Howard and co-stars Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan. The movie was nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Harris.
Sully (2016)
This is the most recent movie on this list and the first one directed by Clint Eastwood that stars Tom Hanks.
He plays Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who landed a plane on the Hudson River after both engines failed, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew on board.
The movie follows the aftermath of the incident, as Sully faces an investigation that questions his decision and reputation.
The movie also stars Aaron Eckhart as Sully’s co-pilot Jeff Skiles and Laura Linney as Sully’s wife Lorraine.
Upcoming Movie
Asteroid City (2023)
This is the upcoming movie that Tom Hanks will star in, which is scheduled to be released in 2023.
It is a sci-fi comedy that is written and directed by Wes Anderson, who is known for his quirky and whimsical style.
The movie is set in a futuristic city on an asteroid, where a group of eccentric characters live and work.
The movie will also feature an ensemble cast that includes Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Maya Hawke, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, and many more.
Conclusion
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of all time, he has given us many memorable and diverse performances.
He has proven his ability to make us laugh, cry, think, and feel with his roles. He has also shown his versatility and willingness to take on different challenges and genres.
He is not only a talented actor, but also a respected and admired person in the industry and society. He is truly a legend and an inspiration for many aspiring actors and filmmakers.
These are some of the Tom Hanks movies that you should watch if you want to witness his brilliance and enjoy his craft.