Tom Hanks has starred in more than 80 movies since 1980, including Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Big, Philadelphia, Apollo 13 and the Toy Story series. His two Best Actor Oscars came from Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994). His newest film is Toy Story 5 (2026), with Greyhound 2 and Lincoln in the Bardo on the way.
Tom Hanks is one of the most consistently loved actors in film history. Across four decades he has moved between broad comedy, animated family films, true-story dramas and some of the most acclaimed war movies ever made. This guide pulls that entire career into one place: his best movies ranked, his Oscar wins, his classic eras, what’s new in 2026, and where to actually watch everything.
Quick Facts About Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. You can read his full biography on the Tom Hanks Wikipedia page and browse his complete credits on IMDb and The Movie Database.
- Known for: Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, Big, Toy Story
- Oscars: 2 wins (Best Actor), 6 nominations
- Active since: 1980
- Film credits: 80+ and counting
- Production company: Playtone, which he co-founded with Gary Goetzman
The 15 Best Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked
Quick answer: The most acclaimed Tom Hanks films, in order, are Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Big, Philadelphia, Apollo 13, Toy Story, Catch Me If You Can, The Green Mile, Captain Phillips, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Road to Perdition, Sully, Bridge of Spies and Big Love for the Oscars stage: Splash.
Here is the full ranked breakdown, with where to read more about each film.
1. Forrest Gump (1994)
Hanks plays a slow-witted but good-hearted man who unknowingly influences major moments in American history. It won Best Picture and Best Director, and earned Hanks his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar. Read the full entry on the Forrest Gump Wikipedia page or check scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Steven Spielberg’s World War II epic opens with one of the most intense combat sequences ever filmed. Hanks leads a squad sent to bring home a soldier whose brothers have died in action. See more on Wikipedia and IMDb.
3. Cast Away (2000)
A FedEx executive survives a plane crash and spends years alone on a deserted island. Hanks lost and gained significant weight for the role, which earned him another Oscar nomination. Details on Wikipedia.
4. Big (1988)
A 12-year-old wishes to be “big” and wakes up in an adult body. It’s one of Hanks’ earliest career-defining roles and earned his first Best Actor nomination. More on Wikipedia.
5. Philadelphia (1993)
Hanks plays a lawyer fired after his employer learns he has AIDS. The film was one of the first mainstream Hollywood movies to address the AIDS crisis directly and won him his first Oscar. See Wikipedia.
6. Apollo 13 (1995)
Hanks plays astronaut Jim Lovell in the true story of the aborted 1970 moon mission. It’s widely considered one of the best space-disaster films ever made. Read more on Wikipedia and NASA’s own account of the Apollo 13 mission.
7. Toy Story (1995)
Hanks voices Woody in the first fully computer-animated feature film, launching one of the most beloved franchises in movie history. See the Toy Story Wikipedia page or browse it on Pixar’s official site.
8. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Hanks plays an FBI agent chasing a young con artist, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, in Spielberg’s stylish true-crime film. Full details on Wikipedia.
9. The Green Mile (1999)
Hanks plays a death row prison guard who discovers an inmate with miraculous healing powers, based on the Stephen King novel. See Wikipedia.
10. Captain Phillips (2013)
Hanks plays the real-life cargo ship captain taken hostage by Somali pirates. The performance earned widespread awards buzz. Read more on Wikipedia.
11. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Hanks plays Fred Rogers in this gentle, acclaimed drama about a cynical journalist assigned to profile the children’s TV host. More on Wikipedia.
12. Road to Perdition (2002)
A stylish, tragic gangster drama directed by Sam Mendes, with Hanks as a hitman protecting his son. See Wikipedia.
13. Sully (2016)
Hanks plays Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who landed a crippled airliner on the Hudson River and saved everyone on board. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Read the Wikipedia entry.
14. Bridge of Spies (2015)
A Cold War legal drama where Hanks plays a lawyer negotiating a prisoner swap between the US and USSR. More on Wikipedia.
15. Splash (1984)
The film that made Hanks a leading man — a romantic comedy about a man who falls for a mermaid. See Wikipedia.
Tom Hanks’ Oscar-Winning and Oscar-Nominated Roles
Quick answer: Tom Hanks has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor — Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994) — and has been nominated a total of six times, including for Big, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away and Captain Phillips (as producer, Best Picture).
Hanks is one of only two actors in history to win the Best Actor Oscar in back-to-back years, a feat matched only by Spencer Tracy decades earlier. You can see the full, verified list on the Academy Awards database and read background on the Academy Award for Best Actor Wikipedia page.
His nominated performances include:
- Big (1988) — Best Actor nomination
- Philadelphia (1993) — Won, Best Actor
- Forrest Gump (1994) — Won, Best Actor
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) — Best Actor nomination
- Cast Away (2000) — Best Actor nomination
- Captain Phillips (2013) — Best Picture nomination, as producer
The Tom Hanks Comedy Era (1980s)
Quick answer: Hanks built his career in the 1980s on broad studio comedies, including Splash (1984), Bachelor Party (1984), The Money Pit (1986), Big (1988) and Turner & Hooch (1989).
Before he became known for drama, Hanks was one of the most reliable comedic leads in Hollywood. This decade shaped his everyman appeal — likable, a little awkward, easy to root for. For background on the genre’s rise in that decade, see this overview of 1980s American comedy films.
Key films from this era:
- Splash (1984) — his breakout romantic comedy
- Bachelor Party (1984) — pure screwball comedy
- The Money Pit (1986) — a couple’s disastrous home renovation
- Big (1988) — his first Oscar nomination
- Turner & Hooch (1989) — a buddy-cop comedy with a dog co-star
The Tom Hanks Drama Era (1990s–2000s)
Quick answer: From the early 1990s onward, Hanks shifted toward prestige drama, delivering Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, Cast Away, Catch Me If You Can and Road to Perdition within roughly a decade.
This stretch is widely regarded as the most acclaimed run of any American leading man in modern film history. For critical context, see Roger Ebert’s archive of reviews covering many of these films, and the American Film Institute’s list of 100 greatest American films, which includes several Hanks titles.
Tom Hanks and the Toy Story Franchise
Quick answer: Tom Hanks has voiced Woody in every Toy Story film — Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), Toy Story 4 (2019) and Toy Story 5 (2026) — making it the longest-running role of his career.
The franchise, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, helped define modern computer animation and became one of the highest-grossing film series of all time. Toy Story 5 premiered in Los Angeles on June 9, 2026, and opened theatrically across the United States on June 19, 2026, with Hanks reprising Woody alongside returning and new cast members. Read more on the Toy Story 5 Wikipedia page and the franchise overview at Wikipedia: Toy Story (franchise).
| Film | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toy Story | 1995 | First fully CGI feature film |
| Toy Story 2 | 1999 | Often cited among the best sequels ever made |
| Toy Story 3 | 2010 | Won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature |
| Toy Story 4 | 2019 | Originally billed as the franchise finale |
| Toy Story 5 | 2026 | Current installment |
Tom Hanks True-Story and Biographical Films
Quick answer: Hanks has built a specialty in true-story dramas, including Apollo 13, Captain Phillips, Sully, Bridge of Spies, Saving Mr. Banks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Elvis.
He has become one of Hollywood’s most trusted actors for playing real people, often choosing understated, dignified roles over flashy ones. Several of these films are based on verified historical events — for the Sullenberger landing, see the official National Transportation Safety Board report on US Airways Flight 1549.
Notable biographical roles:
- Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 (1995)
- Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in Sully (2016)
- Captain Richard Phillips in Captain Phillips (2013)
- James B. Donovan in Bridge of Spies (2015)
- Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
- Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
- Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis (2022)
Tom Hanks War Movies
Quick answer: Hanks’ best-known war films are Saving Private Ryan (1998), Band of Brothers (2001, as producer/narrator), Greyhound (2020) and the upcoming Greyhound 2.
Hanks has a long-running creative interest in World War II history, extending beyond acting into producing. He co-created Band of Brothers and The Pacific with Steven Spielberg. Greyhound 2 is a war film directed by Aaron Schneider, with Hanks starring and also co-writing the screenplay alongside Schneider. You can follow production updates on the Greyhound 2 Wikipedia page and read background on the original ships and convoys at the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
New and Upcoming Tom Hanks Movies (2025–2027)
Quick answer: Hanks’ most recent and upcoming films include Here (2024), The Phoenician Scheme (2025), Toy Story 5 (2026), Greyhound 2 (in production) and Lincoln in the Bardo (in development), where he is set to play Abraham Lincoln.
His release slate continues to mix franchise work, awards-season drama and passion projects.
- Here (2024) — reunites him with Robert Zemeckis and Robin Wright using de-aging technology. See Wikipedia.
- The Phoenician Scheme (2025) — a Wes Anderson film. See Wikipedia.
- Toy Story 5 (2026) — Woody returns. See the official Pixar Toy Story 5 page.
- Greyhound 2 — a sequel to the 2020 WWII submarine thriller, in production.
- Lincoln in the Bardo — an adaptation of George Saunders’ novel, with Hanks reportedly attached as Abraham Lincoln.
For general industry tracking, Deadline’s film coverage and The Hollywood Reporter regularly post casting and release updates as they’re confirmed.
Tom Hanks Movies by Decade (Comparison Table)
| Decade | Defining Films | Career Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | Splash, Big, Turner & Hooch | Comedy leading man |
| 1990s | Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan | Prestige drama peak |
| 2000s | Cast Away, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Road to Perdition | Range-building, blockbusters |
| 2010s | Captain Phillips, Bridge of Spies, Sully, The Post | Real-life hero roles |
| 2020s | Greyhound, Elvis, A Man Called Otto, Here, Toy Story 5 | Legacy and franchise era |
Where to Watch Tom Hanks Movies
Availability changes often across streaming services, so always check current listings before assuming a title is free to stream. JustWatch and Reelgood are reliable tools for checking where a specific Tom Hanks film is currently streaming, renting or for sale across platforms like Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.
Most Toy Story films and Pixar titles stream on Disney+. Apple-produced titles such as Greyhound stream on Apple TV+.
Tom Hanks as Director and Producer
Quick answer: Beyond acting, Hanks has directed That Thing You Do! (1996) and Larry Crowne (2011), and produced major projects including Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Band of Brothers: Legacy, and much of his recent filmography through his production company, Playtone.
Playtone, co-founded with producer Gary Goetzman, has been behind HBO’s acclaimed war miniseries and several feature films. Learn more on the Playtone Wikipedia page.
Awards and Honors
Beyond his two competitive Oscars, Hanks has received the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also won multiple Golden Globes and a Primetime Emmy for producing Band of Brothers; see the Primetime Emmy Awards database.
How Tom Hanks Compares to Other Legendary Actors
Hanks is frequently discussed alongside other multi-generational leading men such as Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio, often ranked among the most bankable and critically respected stars of the last 40 years. For broader context on how critics rank his era of filmmaking, the American Film Institute and British Film Institute both maintain respected critical rankings worth cross-referencing.
Tom Hanks Movies Trivia and Fun Facts
A few details that come up often when people search for Tom Hanks movies:
- Hanks has worked with director Steven Spielberg on five films, including Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Bridge of Spies and The Post — one of the most productive actor-director partnerships in modern Hollywood.
- He has voiced Woody for more than 30 years, from the original 1995 Toy Story to Toy Story 5 in 2026, making it the longest-running character of his career.
- Hanks lost roughly 55 pounds for his role in Cast Away, then paused filming for several months so his hair and beard could grow out for the later scenes.
- He gained weight and trained with real astronauts to prepare for Apollo 13, working closely with NASA consultants for accuracy.
- Hanks has hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times and is part of its so-called “Five-Timers Club.”
- He narrated and executive produced several HBO documentaries and miniseries beyond Band of Brothers, continuing his long interest in 20th-century history.
Why Tom Hanks Movies Keep Finding New Audiences
Quick answer: Tom Hanks movies stay popular across generations because they combine mainstream accessibility with genuine emotional weight, and because his filmography spans family animation, awards-season drama and prestige television, giving every type of viewer an easy entry point.
Unlike actors known mainly for a single genre, Hanks built a career that works for almost any audience. A parent can introduce a child to his work through Toy Story. A teenager studying World War II history in school might be assigned Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. Someone interested in aviation or true survival stories gravitates toward Sully, Captain Phillips or Cast Away. That range is a big part of why “tom hanks movies” remains one of the most consistently searched actor-filmography queries online, and why streaming platforms routinely re-feature his catalog during award season and school history units alike.
His reputation for choosing projects carefully, rather than chasing every big paycheck, has also helped. Several industry retrospectives, including pieces from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, have noted that Hanks’ selectivity is part of why his filmography has aged so well compared to some of his late-1980s and 1990s peers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tom Hanks’ best movie?
Most critics and fans point to Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away or Big as his best work. Forrest Gump and Philadelphia both won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
How many movies has Tom Hanks been in?
Tom Hanks has appeared in more than 80 feature films since his debut in the early 1980s, spanning comedy, drama, animation and war epics, with several more in production as of 2026.
Did Tom Hanks win an Oscar?
Yes. Tom Hanks won back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994), making him one of only two actors to win in consecutive years.
What is Tom Hanks’ newest movie?
Tom Hanks voices Woody again in Toy Story 5, released in 2026. He also appeared in The Phoenician Scheme (2025) and Here (2024), with Greyhound 2 and Lincoln in the Bardo in production.
What was Tom Hanks’ first movie?
His first credited film role was in the low-budget 1980 slasher film He Knows You’re Alone, though Splash (1984) is usually considered his breakout.
Is Tom Hanks in Toy Story 5?
Yes. He returns as the voice of Woody in Toy Story 5, continuing the role he has played since the original 1995 film.
What movie made Tom Hanks famous?
Splash (1984) made him a leading man, but Big (1988) earned him his first Oscar nomination and cemented his star status.
Has Tom Hanks ever played a villain?
Rarely, but Road to Perdition (2002) saw him play a morally complicated hitman, and he played a more ambiguous, flawed character in A Man Called Otto (2022).
What is Tom Hanks’ highest-grossing movie?
The Toy Story franchise holds his highest-grossing titles worldwide, with Toy Story 4 and Toy Story 3 both surpassing $1 billion at the global box office according to industry tracking sites such as Box Office Mojo.
Tom Hanks’ filmography is one of the most complete bodies of work in modern cinema — comedy, animation, true-crime, war epics and quiet character studies, often all within the same decade. If you’re new to his films, start with Forrest Gump, Big and Cast Away. If you’ve already seen the classics, his true-story dramas like Sully and Captain Phillips, and his 2025–2026 run with The Phoenician Scheme and Toy Story 5, are the best places to pick back up.
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