Hollywood has produced many renowned and award-winning actors around the world, but Tom Hanks stands out as one of the industry's most versatile and long-standing professionals. The actor began his career in the 1980s and has since worked on a list of iconic films. Check out the best Tom Hanks movies!
Several of his roles have won over audiences around the world, helping to establish him as one of the biggest names in the film industry. Today we're going to analyze Tom Hanks' 11 best films, taking into account his performances, the importance of each film for the industry and, of course, for his career. Shall we?
Dragnet - Defying Danger (1987)
We'll start our list of Tom Hanks movies with "Dragnet - Defying the Danger", from 1987, starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks, a light, humorous and at the same time investigative plot. The film is an adaptation of a TV series called "Dragnet", which became popular in the 50s and 60s.
In the movie, Hanks plays Pepper, the sloppy and irreverent partner of Joe Friday (Aykroyd). The two agents end up getting involved in a number of absurd situations as they try to investigate and put an end to a scheme involving a cult and a number of unsolved crimes.
If you're a fan of 80s comedies, especially those involving detective thrillers, Dragnet is the perfect choice for you! With memorable scenes, practical dialogue and elements of action and comedy, the chemistry on stage between actors Aykroyd and Hanks stands out and perfectly balances the serious tone of the investigation with the humor of their characters. The film has a score of 49% from critics and 41% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
My Neighbors Are A Horror (1989)
A cult classic among Tom Hanks' films, "My Neighbors Are Terrible" is a comedy directed by Joe Dante and introduces us to Ray Peterson, the character played by Tom. This is a normal man who has just moved into a new neighborhood, but it doesn't take long for him to suspect that his neighbors are actually a family of serial killers!
In this plot full of twists and turns, Tom Hanks shows his charisma when it comes to humor, which is very characteristic of the actor. While his character tries to figure out what is going on around him, Hanks manages to convey all the doubts through emotions that really seem genuine (even in absurd situations). This wasn't a huge box office success, unlike the other Tom Hanks films on this list, but it manages to bring the essence of the 80s to life very well.
This movie has a 56% critical approval rating and a 71% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
An Almost Perfect Duo (1989)
Also known as "Turner & Hooch", this movie is a comedy starring actor Tom Hanks and a German dogue, Hooch. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, this is one of Tom Hanks' films that mixes comedy and action, with Hanks in the role of Scott Turner: a strict and very methodical policeman.
In the movie, Scott is called in to investigate the murder of his friend and ends up meeting Hooch, his late friend's dog. The dog is quite large and somewhat clumsy, but soon becomes Scott's partner, albeit involuntarily. At first this is a very complicated relationship, but it soon develops into a beautiful friendship where Hooch helps Scott deal with his personal problems and, of course, solve the case.
The chemistry between Hanks and the dog is one of the highlights of this production and generates many funny scenes, which ended up being well received by the public and led to the movie "An Almost Perfect Duo" becoming one of the classics of the 80s! The movie has a 50% critical approval rating and a 51% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Splash (1989)
"Splash" is a 1984 romantic comedy directed by Ron Howard, one of the Tom Hanks films that helped him consolidate his career in Hollywood. Hanks stars as Allen Bauer, an executive living in New York who, after an incident in his childhood, falls in love with a mysterious woman.
While on vacation in Florida, Allen ends up drowning and is rescued by a mermaid called Madison, played by Daryl Hannah. This mermaid has the ability to take on human form and, falling in love with Allen, decides to accompany him to dry land. On the other hand, Allen still doesn't know Madison's true identity and tries to understand this charming woman.
The film was one of the main productions that helped popularize the figure of mermaids in pop culture, being a success with audiences and critics alike, with a score of 91% from critics and 63% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. If you're a fan of romantic comedies with a touch of fantasy and light stories, "Splash" will be a great Tom Hanks movie for you!
One Day the House Falls (1986)
Another of Tom Hanks' iconic films, "One Day the House Falls" is a 1986 production that mixes comedy with various unexpected situations that occur to the protagonist, played by the actor. The disastrous events take place while he tries at all costs to keep his life under control, which also gives us more emotional moments that add depth to his character, helping us to identify with him.
In this movie, Hanks stands out for his charismatic performance and his ability to always make the audience laugh, whether with his expressions or his ability to create comedy scenes in a subtle and effective way. It's no wonder that the film helped actor Tom Hanks consolidate his place among Hollywood stars in the 1980s, being a box office success and receiving positive reviews.
The film has a score of 50% from critics and 58% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and also marked the actor's career as the movie that made his transition from TV to film.
I Want to Be Great (1988)
Starring Tom Hanks in 1988, "I Want to Be Big" is a movie that takes us back to the idea of growing up and how our innocence is lost in the process, but does so in a light-hearted way through a classic comedy. In the movie, Hanks is Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who makes a wish and ends up waking up in the body of an adult, having to deal with various issues that don't match his real age.
Humor, romance and reflections on adult life. These are all points you can expect from the movie, as you follow Tom in a masterful performance as he plays a child trapped in an adult body. "I wanna be great" was another of the films that the actor worked on and it was a success at the box office and critically, even earning him an Oscar nomination!
This is a timeless comedy that explores universal issues of growing up and childhood. This movie has a score of 98% from critics and 82% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. If you're looking for a movie that's entertaining, but will give you food for thought, this is one of the best Tom Hanks movies for you.
Forrest Gump - The Storyteller (1994)
This is one of the most iconic Tom Hanks films of his career and, without a doubt, a milestone in the history of world cinema. In "Forrest Gump - The Storyteller" we follow the journey of Forrest, a man with a lower-than-normal cognitive development and, as a result, he goes through several adversities, but this doesn't stop him from living an extraordinary life full of memorable moments.
As an actor, Tom's performance in this movie is considered by many to be one of the best of his career, bringing emotional depth to the character while balancing Forrest's innocence with his determination. This not only made the film a box-office success, but also led it to win 6 Oscars, including Best Actor and Best Picture.
"Forrest Gump - The Storyteller" has a score of 75% from critics and 95% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and has become not only a memorable piece of cinema, but also a milestone in Tom Hanks' career. If you're looking for an exciting, unexpected and entertaining movie, you can't miss it.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
A milestone in Tom Hanks' career, "Saving Private Ryan" is an award-winning feature film directed by the renowned director, Steven Spielberg. It became a landmark film in the war genre and to this day is considered one of the best films in and out of the genre. In the production, Hanks plays Captain Miller, the leader of a platoon during the Second World War. His mission was objective: to rescue Private James Ryan, the only surviving son of a family.
Completely out of his usual comedy vein, Hanks here needs to deliver an intense, powerful and emotional performance. And he does. Captain Miller is a courageous and empathetic character, who serves as a beacon guiding his platoon, even amid fears and uncertainties. And, throughout the movie, we encounter moments of extreme tension, whether in direct confrontations or when making decisions that could result in the elimination of his men.
Hanks acted convincingly and this led to the film winning five Oscars, including Best Director for Spielberg. This was certainly one of the most crucial for the actor's career, and one of the most unforgettable and important Tom Hanks films of his life in Hollywood. "Saving Private Ryan" has a score of 94% from critics and 95% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Waiting for a Miracle (1999)
Based on a novel by Stephen King, "Waiting for a Miracle" is one of the Tom Hanks films that those who have seen it will never forget. This emotional drama is set in an elimination corridor and Hanks plays a prison guard called Paul Edgecomb who gets to know and deal with a prisoner called John Coffey, who has extraordinary, almost god-like abilities.
What stands out in the plot is the sensitivity and emotional depth of the actors as they bring each of their roles to life. Paul Edgecomb is a police officer who is struggling with his own sense of morality and his beliefs, while becoming increasingly involved with Coffey's case and empathizing with the prisoner. This plot has made the film very well received by critics, as it explores discussions about the penal system and how the question of "good and evil" can be mistaken at times.
This film not only enriched Tom Hanks' filmography, but also marked the history of cinema with one of the most beautiful films to deal with justice, compassion and faith. The film has a score of 79% from critics and 94% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Arrest Me If You Can (2002)
Another movie directed by Steven Spielberg and with a strong cast that, in addition to Tom Hanks, also includes Leonardo DiCaprio! "Catch Me If You Can" is a 2002 movie based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a scammer who has impersonated a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer and several other identities, all before he was even 19 years old. To capture him, Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is the FBI agent assigned to the mission.
The balance between humor and seriousness delivered by Hanks stands out and both determination and frustration are elements well delivered and lived by his character. In addition, Hanks and DiCaprio showed a lot of chemistry on stage, which helped their work and the final result of the production.
"Catch Me If You Can" has a score of 96% from critics and 89% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of Tom Hanks' films that balances humor and emotion, making the film an engaging and memorable experience, further reinforcing Hanks' status as one of the great actors of his time.
Castaway (2000)
"Castaway" is one of Tom Hanks' films released in the 2000s and presents us with the impressive story of Chuck Noland, a man who survives a plane crash and ends up stranded on a desert island. This journey of survival also includes moments where the protagonist played by Hanks faces a struggle with self-discovery and resilience. Moments of despair and hope intersect in what has become one of the most impressive performances of the actor's career.
Hanks manages to connect his character with the audience in a brilliant way, making them identify with him even when he uses a volleyball called "Wilson" so that he no longer feels so alone in the midst of the loneliness that is inevitable for him. The commercial success of "Castaway" was inevitable, earning him an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category and making him stand out in world cinema.
This production has a critic approval rating of 89% and an audience approval rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. If you're looking for a movie that explores themes of survival, loneliness and the search for connection, this is the movie to watch!
As we can see, Tom Hanks is one of the most versatile actors of his generation and one of Hollywood's great icons, always remembered by audiences and critics for his impeccable and admirable performances. Throughout his career, Hanks has established himself not only in the Hollywood industry, but also in the history of cinema as one of the best actors of the last century! All these Tom Hanks films are unforgettable and deserve to be revisited by movie fans!
If you like films or want to know more about your favorite actors, be sure to check out our articles on the 9 best Zendaya movies and TV shows e how to watch Planet of the Apes in chronological order!
