Tom Hanks – 10 Best Movies

By Vlad Zakh · February 26, 2026

United States Drama thought provoking

Tom Hanks’ top 10 films, unveiling the actor’s enduring talent and compelling performances across a diverse range of genres. From the heartwarming classic “Forrest Gump” to the intense drama of “Saving Private Ryan,” each film on the list showcases Hanks’ ability to authentically inhabit characters and deliver memorable performances. Experience the emotional depth of “Philadelphia,” the captivating adventure of “Cast Away,” and the historical resonance of “Apollo 13.” This thoughtfully curated collection provides an insightful glimpse into Tom Hanks’ cinematic legacy, highlighting his indelible impact on the world of film.

Forrest Gump (1994) 01

Forrest Gump (1994)

IMDb ★ 8.8 RT 75% Metacritic 82

Tom Hanks plays Forrest Gump, a kind-hearted man with a low IQ who unintentionally influences several defining historical events in the 20th century United States.

"My mama always said, life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump

Directed by Robert Zemeckis · 2h 22m · Rated PG-13

Won 6 Oscars51 wins & 74 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Saving Private Ryan (1998) 02

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

IMDb ★ 8.6 RT 94% Metacritic 91

Hanks portrays Captain John Miller, who leads a squad of soldiers on a mission to find and bring home Private James Ryan during World War II.

"Earn this." - Saving Private Ryan

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 2h 49m · Rated R

Won 5 Oscars79 wins & 75 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Cast Away (2000) 03

Cast Away (2000)

TMDB ★ 7.7

Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive stranded on a deserted island, where he must learn to survive both physically and emotionally.

"I'm gonna die, Wilson!" - Cast Away

Directed by Robert Zemeckis · 2h 23m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Apollo 13 (1995) 04

Apollo 13 (1995)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 92% Metacritic 78

Hanks portrays astronaut Jim Lovell, one of three crew members on NASA's ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, which struggles to return to Earth after an oxygen tank explodes.

"Houston, we have a problem." - Apollo 13

Directed by Ron Howard · 2h 20m · Rated PG

Won 2 Oscars31 wins & 59 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Philadelphia (1993) 05

Philadelphia (1993)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 81% Metacritic 66

Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a lawyer with HIV who sues his former law firm for discrimination. The film explores themes of homophobia and discrimination.

"What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean? A good start." - Philadelphia

Directed by Jonathan Demme · 2h 06m · Rated PG-13

Won 2 Oscars21 wins & 23 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime VideoHBO MaxHulu
The Green Mile (1999) 06

The Green Mile (1999)

IMDb ★ 8.6 RT 78% Metacritic 61

Hanks portrays Paul Edgecomb, a prison guard overseeing death row inmates, including a gentle giant with supernatural abilities.

"On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I kill one of his true miracles, what am I gonna say? That it was my job?" - The Green Mile

Directed by Frank Darabont · 3h 09m · Rated R

Nominated for 4 Oscars15 wins & 37 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Toy Story (1995) 07

Toy Story (1995)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 100% Metacritic 96

Hanks voices Woody, a cowboy doll who is the leader of a group of toys that come to life when humans are not around. The film is Pixar's first feature-length animated film.

"To infinity and beyond!" - Toy Story

Directed by John Lasseter · 1h 21m · Rated G

Nominated for 3 Oscars29 wins & 24 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoYoutubeTV
Big (1988) 08

Big (1988)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 98% Metacritic 73

Hanks plays Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish to be "big" and wakes up in the body of an adult, experiencing the challenges and wonders of adulthood.

"I wish I were big." - Big

Directed by Penny Marshall · 1h 44m · Rated PG

Nominated for 2 Oscars12 wins & 15 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime VideoHBO MaxYoutubeTV
A League of Their Own (1992) 09

A League of Their Own (1992)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Hanks portrays Jimmy Dugan, a washed-up baseball player who coaches an all-female baseball team during World War II, highlighting the importance of women's contribution to sports.

"There's no crying in baseball!" - A League of Their Own

Directed by Penny Marshall · 2h 08m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, YouTube TV, Starz Apple TV channel, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd Amazon Prime VideoHBO MaxYoutubeTV
Captain Phillips (2013) 10

Captain Phillips (2013)

TMDB ★ 7.5

Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, whose cargo ship is hijacked by Somali pirates, leading to a high-stakes rescue mission by the U.S. Navy.

"I am the captain now." - Captain Phillips

Directed by Paul Greengrass · 2h 14m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd NetflixAmazon Prime VideoHBO MaxYoutubeTV

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

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Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.