The Best Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 100.8K votes 11.3K voters 350.9K views
Over 11.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked
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Vote for your favorite Tom Hanks movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
Latest additions: Asteroid City
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Over 11,000 movie fans have voted to shape these rankings of the best Tom Hanks movies. This list includes some of his most iconic roles such as Forrest Gump and Sully. But it also contains some lesser-known gems like Philadelphia and Big that showcase his versatility as an actor. His ability to make us laugh or cry in a single scene is unparalleled, making him one of the greatest living actors today.

From The Green Mile's powerful story-telling to Cast Away's breathtaking cinematography, each film on this list stands out because of its unique storytelling style and memorable characters. Tom Hanks' performances are consistently praised by critics and fans for their authenticity and emotionality - a true testament to his award-winning acting skills. So why not take a look at our ranking below? Vote up your favorite Tom Hanks movies so they can climb higher in the ranks.

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  • Forrest Gump
    1

    Forrest Gump

    Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
    6,042 votes
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

    Character: Forrest Gump

    Awards: Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama

    In Forrest Gump, the eponymous character, played by Tom Hanks, lives an extraordinary life. Struggling with a low IQ but gifted with a heart full of gold, Forrest unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century America. From serving in Vietnam to meeting Presidents, his life is far from ordinary. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is a dramatic comedy that won multiple Academy Awards including Best Picture. Jenny Curran (Robin Wright), Forrest's lifelong love interest and Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise), his commanding officer in Vietnam, are other significant characters in this remarkable tale of an unremarkable man.

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  • Saving Private Ryan
    2

    Saving Private Ryan

    Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore
    5,096 votes
    • Released: 1998
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg

    Character: Captain John H. Miller

    Saving Private Ryan, a war film directed by Steven Spielberg, is a harrowing depiction of World War II. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), a hardened yet compassionate soldier, leads a group of eight men from the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the United States Army through enemy lines. Their mission? Find and safely return paratrooper Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Set against the backdrop of the brutal Normandy invasion, this gripping tale won five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Spielberg. It explores themes of sacrifice and duty, leaving its mark as an unforgettable cinematic experience.

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  • The Green Mile
    3

    The Green Mile

    Tom Hanks, David Morse, Michael Clarke Duncan
    4,739 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Frank Darabont

    Character: Paul Edgecomb

    In the poignant drama The Green Mile, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) supervises death row in a 1930s Southern prison. Among the inmates, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a gentle giant with mysterious abilities, arrives for a ghastly crime he didn't commit. As Paul delves into John's enigmatic character, he discovers an extraordinary secret that challenges his beliefs. Adapted from Stephen King's novel, this film uniquely intertwines fantasy and period drama elements. Garnering four Academy Award nominations, it remains a compelling exploration of justice and humanity.

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  • Apollo 13
    4

    Apollo 13

    Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon
    3,920 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: Ron Howard

    Character: Jim Lovell

    Apollo 13, a gripping space docudrama, chronicles the real-life, perilous lunar mission of 1970. The film features astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), command module pilot Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise), and flight director Gene Kranz (Ed Harris). When an oxygen tank explodes, the spacecraft's crew must abort their moon landing, transforming their mission into a struggle to return home safely. Directed by Ron Howard, Apollo 13 masterfully blends historical accuracy with cinematic suspense. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1996, underscoring its significant impact on the genre of true-story films.

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  • Toy Story
    5

    Toy Story

    Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
    3,835 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: John Lasseter

    Character: Sheriff Woody

    In the animated adventure Toy Story, Woody (Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll, reigns supreme in the room of his young owner, Andy. Life takes an unexpected turn when spaceman action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) becomes Andy's new favorite toy. Woody, consumed by jealousy, pushes Buzz out a window, sparking a thrilling journey of redemption and self-discovery. This Pixar masterpiece, winner of a Special Achievement Academy Award for its groundbreaking computer animation, weaves together comedy and drama to captivate audiences with its narrative on friendship and rivalry among toys.

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  • Cast Away
    6

    Cast Away

    Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
    4,688 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

    Character: Chuck Noland

    Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama

    In the gripping survival drama Cast Away, audiences are introduced to Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks), a FedEx executive whose life takes an unexpected turn when his plane crashes over the Pacific. Stranded on a deserted island, Chuck is forced to confront the harsh realities of survival. He battles isolation, despair, and the elements, with only a volleyball named Wilson for company. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film showcases Hanks in one of his most memorable roles, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. With its stark portrayal of human resilience, Cast Away remains a powerful testament to the indomitable spirit of man against nature's unyielding forces.

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