My Favourite Tom Hanks Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood are as celebrated as Tom Hanks. Following his recognition during the 1980’s, Hanks has proven to be one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Known as ‘America’s Sweetheart’, Hanks always poured his heart and soul into movies that are considered pieces of art. Whether its stories of WWII war veterans facing D-Day, men surviving on islands cast away or gay men battling barriers of homophobia, Hanks has commonly thrived on ability to portray various characters today. Given the number of classic movies Hanks has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies ever made by an amazing actor that deserves to be appreciated.

1. Forrest Gump

Childhood is an important time in life shaping a person’s identity. Everyone can recall fond memories from their childhood that shaped their personality. Whether it’s memories of our first crush, taking the bus to school or learning valuable wisdom from parents, childhood is a crucial time that shapes our destiny. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the time period of childhood as beautifully as “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning film has stood the test of time as a classic that audiences adore. In arguably the greatest role of of his career, Hanks captures the larger-than-life personality of an iconic character shaped by his childhood memories. As Forrest Gump, Hanks created one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Packed with breathtaking visuals, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a captivating classic that works on every level. Ultimately, what makes it Hanks’ greatest movie is its meaningful message about childhood. It delivers a universal message that would resonate with everyone that remembers childhood at an early age. As precious as childhood memories Forrest recounts with nostalgia in Alabama, it’s a beautiful reminder of a legendary actor creating compelling characters with charisma whose timeless movies have stood the test of time as classics in Cinema.

2. Philadelphia

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has a history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. It’s rare to come across movies that capture the burden that queer people bear. In an industry where most movies have portrayed LGBTQ communities with stigma, it’s worth discussing “Philadelphia”. Released in 1993, Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of celebrating the LGBTQ community. In the most emotionally demanding role of his career, Hanks captured the burden queer people with AIDS bear. Nearly unrecognizable, Hanks completely transforms into a queer man with AIDS facing barriers in the workplace that are painful. As Andrew Beckett, Hanks managed to capture hardships that queer people in the 1980’s went through. It’s one of the most moving performances that the actor has ever given. At a time when AIDS was rarely discussed in society, “Philadelphia” was a groundbreaking movie that changed the film industry. 30 years after release of an iconic film about gay men facing homophobia in Philadelphia that blew audiences away, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that thrives given chances to play complex characters whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Cast Away

It isn’t easy to make an effective survival movie. Making a movie about survival often poses certain challenges for actors that are painful. Movies about individuals surviving catastrophes create obstacles for actors that are physically demanding. However, Tom Hanks managed to overcome these obstacles in every way when he made “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie found the actor capturing the personality of a man miraculously surviving catastrophe. Hanks pours his heart and soul into the role of a man driven to achieve his survival goal. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Hanks completely transforms into a man seeking to survive a situation causing despair. Not only did he gain weight for the role, but Hanks completely transforms into a man seeking to achieve his survival goal. It’s a tricky role requiring Hanks to be practically the only actor onscreen for the majority of the running-time. However, he pulls it off tremendously. Nearly 30 years following the release of a powerful film about hopeless men cast away on islands seeking survival, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary movie-star that succeeds when rewarded opportunities to portray relatable characters overcoming obstacles that are painful.

4. Saving Private Ryan

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud action, wooden characters and poor storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. My main issue with these movies is that they always place emphasis on spectacle over storytelling. WWII movies rarely ever feature characters that are easy to relate to. That being said, “Saving Private Ryan” is an exception. Released in 1998, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of recreating the Battle of Normandy. In the most meaningful role of his career, Tom Hanks captures the burden the soldiers in WWII had to bear. He turns what could have been a stereotypical hero in a war movie into a compelling character. Not only does he capture terror felt by soldiers witnessing violence but he manages to convey emotions through silence. In a genre where most characters are rarely relatable, Hanks creates a hero whose struggle is universal. 80 years following the D-Day landings in WWII, it’s a powerful reminder of a movie-star that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate audience audiences capturing hardships war veterans go through.

5. Captain Phillips

When it comes to the most honourable heroes in American history, it’s worth discussing Richard Phillips. An American merchant mariner, Phillips was a brave captain that guided the ship Maersk Alabama. In 2009, Phillips faced a nerve-wracking situation when his ship was attacked by Somali pirates in a stressful hijacking. Through a sheer miracle, Phillips managed to survive the most stressful situation imaginable. In 2013, Phillips’ story of survival was beautifully brought to the big-screen in Tom Hanks’ film “Captain Phillips”. In one of his most emotional roles, Hanks pays tribute to a real-life hero that survived a painful hijacking. Hanks has always excelled at playing heroes, and this is a role that allows him to showcase his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s silently pleading for help or yelling in anger at Somali pirates, Hanks uses his powerful voice to create a hero that’s compelling. Nearly 15 years after a captain guiding a cargo ship faced nerve-wracking Somali pirates organizing a hijacking, it’s a compelling reminder of an actor that thrives given opportunities to play real-life heroes overcoming obstacles whose timeless movies are worth celebrating.

6. The Green Mile

Few books ever written about prisons that are hostile are as beloved as “The Green Mile”. Published in the 1990’s, Stephen King’s literary classic had a massive impact on the world. Through its powerful depiction of harsh realities in a prison, the book achieved immense appreciation. Given its fan following, adapting the book into a great movie would be challenging. However, in 1999 Tom Hanks pulled it off successfully in the film “The Green Mile”. In his first ever prison drama, Hanks captures the persona of a prison guard facing a stressful dilemma. What stands out most about Hanks’ performance in “The Green Mile” is its subtlety. The actor has become well-known for portraying larger-than-life heroes throughout his career. However, this film marked the first time that the actor played an ordinary man stuck in an extraordinary situation. Hanks captures stress faced by a prison guard through expressions rather than words. 30 years following the publication of an iconic books about prisons that are hostile, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a celebrated actor with a glowing smile that has always poured his soul into producing movies that are worthwhile.

7. Catch Me if You Can

Few filmmakers that Tom Hanks has collaborated with are as celebrated as Steven Spielberg. Ever since 1998’s “Saving Private Ryan”, the actor has collaborated with Spielberg numerous times throughout his career. The actor and director have always brought out the best in each other making movies that audiences treasure. Out of all movies that the actor and director have made together, “Catch Me if You Can” remains my favourite. Spielberg’s most enjoyable movie finds the actor playing a smart FBI agent driven to catch a con-artist. As Carl Hanratty, Hanks captures the persona of an FBI agent that will stop at nothing to catch a con-artist. Although it’s only a supporting role, Hanks ends up stealing the show. Nearly 70 years after a con-artist committed crimes that dedicated FBI investigated, it’s a poignant reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated.

8. A Man Called Otto

Ever since his career began years ago, Tom Hanks has built a reputation for being a hero. The iconic actor has built a career by playing characters that are heroic. While this tendency to play heroes has resulted in the actor’s stardom, it has attracted criticism. Critics often argue that the actor is typecast playing the same heroic role in every movie. In this regard, “A Man Called Otto” is an exception. Released in 2022, Marc Foster’s movie found Tom Hanks playing the most unusual role of his career as a grumpy senior. Unlike any character Tom Hanks has played before, Otto is a grumpy senior that has no intentions of being a hero people adore. It’s a role that marks drastic departures for an actor that has always excelled playing likeable characters. Hanks does an extraordinary job of capturing the sorrow felt by an aging senior through his voice. A heartbreaking portrait of struggles faced by aging seniors whose lives are declining, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that thrives stepping out of comfort zones playing characters that aren’t always appealing.

9. Toy Story

Toys have played pivotal roles in shaping my identity. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed playing with toys that I treasure. I vividly recall the joy I felt visiting the store to purchase toys which I grew up to adore. When time came to throw away toys I had grown to idolize, tears filled my eyes. As someone that loved toys shaping my identity, I adored “Toy Story”. In his first ever animated movie, Tom Hanks created one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. As Woody, Hanks does a wonderful job of using his voice to create a toy with humanity. Whether he’s yelling at Buzz for causing catastrophe or mourning his separation from Andy, Hanks used his powerful voice to create a character children find inspiring. Nearly 50 years after Pixar told stories of toys shaping children’s identity, it’s a touching tribute to an actor building a lasting legacy by portraying a cartoon character inspiring children to turn their dreams into reality.

10. The Terminal

Airports are a setting that I’ve rarely enjoyed visiting. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always hated the prospect of visiting an airport. With crowds of people, tight security and delayed flights, I’ve always found airports to be a chore. Few movies I’ve seen have captured how painful it is to be stranded in an airport as beautifully as “The Terminal”. Tom Hanks’ most underrated movie finds the actor playing an immigrant stranded in an airport away from his country. In his most comical role, Hanks creates a funny character whose struggle to navigate an airport is relatable. With “Terminal”, the actor showcased comic timing audiences hadn’t seen before. An insightful glimpse at people stranded in an airport’s terminal, it’s a powerful reminder about an actor playing relatable characters whose films will forever hold a place in my heart that’s special.