From Forrest to Woody: The 25 Best Films Of Tom Hanks’ Legendary Career

Movies 4/12/19

25. The Polar Express, “Conductor” (2004)

25. The Polar Express, “Conductor” (2004)
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Hanks provided a few different voices in the 3D-computer animated Christmas film. However, it’s his role as the lumber conductor, which conveniently looks like the superstar actor, that is most memorable. He’s essentially in charge of the train to the North Pole, and if we didn’t like hot chocolate before watching this holiday classic, we will after it’s done.

24. Turner & Hooch, “Det. Scott Turner” (1989)

24. Turner & Hooch, “Det. Scott Turner” (1989)
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A buddy comedy about a cop and his dog, Hanks and his canine companion were hits at the box office. It’s about what one would expect from these kinds of films, and an example of how Hanks can shine whether he has a leading lady or a dog as his co-star. It’s a heart-warming comedy that proves that a dog truly is man’s best friend.

23. Sully, “Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger” (2016)

23. Sully, “Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger” (2016)
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Throughout his stellar film career, Hanks has taken on several roles of real-life characters. His portrayal of the brave pilot who made an emergency landing on the Hudson River is one of the more recent examples. Hanks has made more memorable biopics, but he gives a strong and stoic performance as a hero who’s soon doubted for his actions.

22. The Ladykillers, “Prof. G.H. Dorr” (2004)

22. The Ladykillers, “Prof. G.H. Dorr” (2004)
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The first collaboration between Hanks and the Coen brothers, this black comedy remake features Hanks as an odd villain in one of the strangest, yet most interesting, roles of his career. The film didn’t earn much critical success and it’s one that casual film fans probably don’t know about. But it’s Hanks unlike we’ve seen him before or since.

21. The Terminal, “Viktor Navorski” (2004)

21. The Terminal, “Viktor Navorski” (2004)
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Hanks and legendary director Steven Spielberg have worked together several times, but this one seems to get lost in the shuffle. It’s a pleasant film about a foreign man stranded in an airport, who is not allowed into the U.S. and can’t return to his Eastern European homeland due to military issues. The film covers all the basic emotions, and Hanks delivers in his usual witty and endearing way.

20. Nothing in Common, “David Basner” (1986)

20. Nothing in Common, “David Basner” (1986)
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In what’s the legendary Jackie Gleason’s final role in a film, Hanks plays a work-care-free ad exec who doesn’t seem to have time for family, especially his ailing father (Gleason). The picture shows Hanks in a more dramatic role, unlike most of his true-forward comedic work. The movie tends to be forgotten in Hanks’ catalog, but is worth going back to check out, especially for his scenes opposite Gleason.

19. You’ve Got Mail, “Joe Fox” (1998)

19. You’ve Got Mail, “Joe Fox” (1998)
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Though it didn’t garner the same critical success as Hanks’ other, more prominent, effort with director Nora Ephron and star Meg Ryan, Mail is still a solid romantic comedy that tends to grow on the viewer. Hanks’ cut-throat, it’s-business-not-personal character ultimately turns soft when he begins an online relationship with Ryan’s bookstore-owning female lead. You’ll hate him in the beginning, but probably love him in the end.

18. That Thing You Do!, “Mr. White” (1996)

18. That Thing You Do!, “Mr. White” (1996)
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This is Hanks showing off his versatility, writing, directing and starring in a hit film about a 1960s one-hit wonder, Beatles wannabe, group. Hanks also contributed to the film’s stellar soundtrack, highlighted by the self-titled hit song written by Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger. Hanks’ stars as an A&R rep looking for the next big pop thing. The film is fun and the music is catchy. A winner on all fronts for Hanks.

17. Road to Perdition, “Michael Sullivan” (2002)

17. Road to Perdition, “Michael Sullivan” (2002)
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Hanks and Paul Newman, two film greats together in this crime thriller. It might be one of Hanks’ more underrated films and roles. It’s Hanks at his darkest, yet fatherly, while seeking vengeance with his son. Despite his job description, Hanks’ Sullivan is easy to support while trying to take care of what’s left of his family.

16. Splash, “Allen Bauer” (1984)

16. Splash, “Allen Bauer” (1984)
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One of the biggest surprises of 1984, this Ron Howard romantic comedy became a hit and put Hanks on the map in terms of making himself a profitable leading man. Your average Joe falls in love with a mermaid. It shouldn’t have worked, but Hanks and his witty performance alongside Daryl Hannah, as his sexy sea dwelling love interest, captivated audiences and got the ball rolling for his film career.

15. Bachelor Party, “Rick Gassko” (1984)

15. Bachelor Party, “Rick Gassko” (1984)
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Raunchy, raucous and a true party-film, this ‘80s comedy classic featured Hanks when he was still young and growing as an actor. It’s the Bosom Buddies’ Tom Hanks, the guy who is care-free, improvising and using physical comedy as an arsenal for multiple laughs. If you’re looking to watch the comedic Hanks at his best, Bachelor Party is a must, and still stands tall over time.

14. Sleepless in Seattle, “Sam Baldwin” (1993)

14. Sleepless in Seattle, “Sam Baldwin” (1993)
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It can be argued that ’93 began Hanks’ run as a consistent box-office superstar. Sleepless is another collaboration with late director-writer Ephron and fellow star Meg Ryan. Both a critical and commercial smash, the movie proved Hanks can play the romantic lead and thrive in the rom-com universe. As if we had any doubts that he could pull it off.

13. Captain Phillips, “Captain Richard Phillips” (2013)

13. Captain Phillips, “Captain Richard Phillips” (2013)
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A major blockbuster for Hanks, who starred as the captain of the hijacked cargo ship. It’s one of his more captivating roles — an intense thriller that if we didn’t know the true story, would put us on the edge of our seats. As usual, Hanks is brilliant. Though, it was Barkhad Abdi who earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category.

12. Charlie Wilson’s War, “Charlie Wilson” (2007)

12. Charlie Wilson’s War, “Charlie Wilson” (2007)
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It’s Hanks teaming up with more Hollywood heavyweights in late director Mike Nichols and writer Aaron Sorkin for this biopic as the famed United State Congressman. Hanks has fun with his role as the care-free politician. Even with fellow big names like Julia Roberts, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams in the mix, Hanks was the star who shined the brightest and earned a Golden Globe nomination.

11. The Post, “Ben Bradlee” (2017)

11. The Post, “Ben Bradlee” (2017)
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It was Hanks’ turn to take a shot at the legendary newspaper man in Spielberg’s story of The Washington Post’s reporting of the Pentagon Papers. Hanks and Meryl Streep play off each other splendidly, and take viewers into the win-at-all-costs world of investigative journalism. Hanks’ played the gruff, yet, flawed, Bradlee quite well. Perhaps better than Jason Robards’ Academy Award-winning portrayal in the classic All the President’s Men.

10. Apollo 13, “Jim Lovell” (1995)

10. Apollo 13, “Jim Lovell” (1995)
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Back with Howard, Hanks comes through with one of his best roles featuring a real-life character. The actual Lovell was praised for his courageousness and bravery. As an actor, Hanks once again showed his ability to nail that portrayal almost spot-on. So much, that Lovell and Hanks share the same level of admiration and respect for the other.

9. The Green Mile, “Paul Edgecomb” (1999)

9. The Green Mile, “Paul Edgecomb” (1999)
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In an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, Hanks delivers a strong performance as the lead prison guard in charge of death row. While the late Michael Clarke Duncan stole the show as a death-row inmate with healing powers, Hanks displayed the perfect recipe of a character driven by discipline, compassion and vulnerability.

8. Big, “Josh Baskin” (1988)

8. Big, “Josh Baskin” (1988)
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This was the role and film that showed audiences Hanks could be a box-office star. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for his part in the Penny Marshall film as a boy who wished to be “big,” then had it come true. Hanks is funny, poignant and endearing as Josh Baskin. It opened the door for him to not only maintain his comedic chops, but mix it with the right amount of dramatic flair.

7. Toy Story, “Woody” (1995)

7. Toy Story, “Woody” (1995)
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Hanks’ voice work in the entire Toy Story franchise for Disney/Pixar should be celebrated. Sheriff Woody is the leader of a group of toys, who come to life in the house of their little boy owner Andy. Their adventures are imaginative and fun, and Hanks’ Woody is the voice of reason and ultimately the symbol of Andy’s childhood as he gets older and heads to college. Woody and the whole gang remain legends in the universe of big-screen animation.

6. Catch Me If You Can, “Carl Hanratty” (2002)

6. Catch Me If You Can, “Carl Hanratty” (2002)
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Talk about a star-studded lineup. Spielberg directed the picture, Leonardo DiCaprio was the star and Hanks followed close behind in this biopic about the life of young con man Frank Abagnale (DiCaprio). FBI agent Hanratty’s pursuit of Caprio’s character is both intense and comical. This by-the-book Hanks’ role brings out his nerdy side that viewers should not be surprised was there.

5. A League of Their Own, “Jimmy Dugan” (1992)

5. A League of Their Own, “Jimmy Dugan” (1992)
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Following a string of less-than-stellar films in early ‘90s, Hanks returned to prominence with help from Marshall via his portrayal of an alcoholic, ex-ball player picked to manage an all-women baseball team. Though Hanks’ Dugan can be crass and shameless, it’s easy to find compassion with his character’s flaws. If players of all ages and gender took any insight from the dysfunctional manager it’s that, “there’s no crying in baseball.”

4. Saving Private Ryan, “Captain John H. Miller” (1998)

4. Saving Private Ryan, “Captain John H. Miller” (1998)
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Teamed with Spielberg again, how could this not be a hit. The movie and Hanks were. As a captain of a small squad following the “D-Day” invasion in search of the last surviving brother of a soldiering family, Hanks gives one of his most genuine performances. While the film is remembered mostly for its graphic opening scenes of the Normandy invasion, Hanks was nominated for his fourth Best Actor Oscar.

3. Cast Away, “Chuck Noland” (2000)

3. Cast Away, “Chuck Noland” (2000)
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Moviegoers never looked at a volleyball the same way after Hanks’ classic about a FedEx systems analyst who becomes stranded on a deserted island after his cargo plane crashes into the ocean. The cinematography of the film is almost as impressive as Hanks’ performance, as he finds ingenious ways to survive on the island and return to the love of his life. He won a Golden Globe for his role, but fell short in the Best Actor group at the Academy Awards.

2. Philadelphia, “Andrew Beckett” (1993)

2. Philadelphia, “Andrew Beckett” (1993)
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The role that won Hanks his first Oscar for Best Actor, truly shows the range and depth that we really had not seen from the star. He lost more than 30 pounds for his portrayal of a Philadelphia lawyer and AIDS patient suing his firm for discrimination after being unjustly fired. Hanks magnificently portrays a character who is scared, yet confident, while fighting with what little strength he has left in the face of his impending death.

1. Forrest Gump, “Forrest Gump” (1994)

1. Forrest Gump, “Forrest Gump” (1994)
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The second of Hanks’ Academy Award-winning Best Actor roles has become one of the most memorable characters not just of his career, but in film history. Hanks is brilliant as a slow-witted Alabama-native Gump, who just happens to find himself amid some of the most significant events in world history throughout his life. It’s easy to root for Gump, and equally understandable to see why Hanks is one of the biggest stars on the planet.