Few actors have made as significant an impact on Hollywood as Tom Hanks. With a career that has spanned more than forty years, Hanks has established himself as a household name, celebrated for his versatility, charm, and remarkable talent for bringing characters to life. From touching dramas to exciting adventures and memorable comedies, his filmography is a collection of cinematic treasures.
Whether you’re a devoted fan or just beginning to explore his work, this list of the 10 best Tom Hanks movies to watch serves as an excellent introduction to the career of one of America’s most cherished actors. So, grab some popcorn — it’s time to immerse yourself in the world of Tom Hanks.
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1. Big
- IMDb Rating- 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-98%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime- 1 hour 44 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton & others
About the Movie- The movie revolves around a 13-year-old boy who wishes to get bigger with the help of a fortune-telling machine. When he wakes up the next morning, he discovers that his wish has been fulfilled. You can watch it on YouTube.
The movie truly launched Tom Hanks into stardom as his performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He brilliantly captures the innocence and awkwardness of a child trapped in an adult’s body and being directed by a woman; it was one of the few films that grossed over 100 million dollars. Big is a huge showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and poignancy.
2. Catch Me If You Can
- IMDb Rating- 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-96%
- Smartprix Rating-9/10
- Runtime- 2 hours 20 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Walken & others
About the Movie- The story revolves around Frank Abagnale Jr is a con man who poses as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer and cashes forged cheques worth millions before his 21st birthday, despite being constantly chased by FBI agent Carl Hanratty. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, and Zee5.
Tom Hanks brings dry humor, emotional weight, and quiet authority to the role. His Boston accent and mannerisms give the character, everyman charm. He plays an antagonist but still has a sympathetic and endearing character. The cat-and-mouse dynamics between him and DiCaprio are central to the movie’s theme.
3. That Thing You Do
- IMDb Rating- 7/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-93%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime- 1 hour 48 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, & others
About the Movie- The plot of the film revolves around pop pop-rock band that recruits a jazz drummer, Guy, whose refreshing beats catapult them towards success. But soon the band shows signs of discord when the lead singer becomes unhappy with the band’s direction. You can watch it on YouTube.
Tom Hanks not only stars in this movie but also has written and directed it. His performance as an actor is subtle and controlled, as a musician, and he delivers dry humor and managerial wisdom, grounding young band members during their whirlwind fame. The performance might be understated, but it is crucial as it offers a structure to the band’s journey.
4. Saving Mr. Banks
- IMDb Rating- 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-79%
- Smartprix Rating-7.6/10
- Runtime- 2 hours 5 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell & others
About the Movie- The story is based on P.L. Travers, a London author who is financially broke, and visits Los Angeles to meet Walt Disney, who is keen to adapt her Mary Poppins for the cinema. However, his methods do not meet her approval. You can watch it on JioHotstar.
Tom Hanks is the first actor to portray Walt Disney in a major live-action movie, and the actor has managed to capture Disney’s charm, vision, and persistence without sugarcoating his savvy business side. He brings a warm yet firm presence as both a dealmaker and a dreamer, delicately balancing empathy, persuasion, and patience.
5. Toy Story 2
- IMDb Rating-7.9/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-100%
- Smartprix Rating-8.2/10
- Runtime- 1 hour 32 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich & others
About the Movie- The story is based on Woody, who is kidnapped by a greedy toy collector and is nowhere to be found. His friends set out to rescue him; however, Woody gets tempted by the idea of becoming immortal in a museum. You can watch it on JioHotstar.
Tom Hanks has given his voice to Woody in this movie, and he brings warmth and emotional honesty to the character. He perfectly conveys Woody’s internal struggle, and moments like Woody’s confrontation with Jessie and his decision to go back to Andy are deeply moving.
6. Sleepless in Seattle
- IMDb Rating- 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-75%
- Smartprix Rating-7/10
- Runtime- 1 hour 45 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger & others
About the Movie- The rom-com revolves around Sam and his eight-year-old son Jonah. Realising that his father has not come to terms with his wife Maggie’s death, his son Jonah forces him to call a national radio talk show, with the hopes of finding him a companion. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video and Zee5.
Tom Hanks brings gentle warmth, vulnerability, and understanding humor to Sam. He portrays grief with sincerity but never lets it overshadow hope and tenderness. Chemistry with Med Ryan is crackling, and his famous monologue about his late wife is one of the highlights of the film.
7. Forrest Grump
- IMDb Rating- 8.8/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-75%
- Smartprix Rating-8.5/10
- Runtime- 2 hours 22 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Robin Wright, Gary Sinise & others
About the Movie- The story revolves around Forrest, a man with a low IQ, who recounts the early years of his life when he found himself in the middle of key historical events. All he wants now is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Jenny. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video and JioHotstar.
Forrest Grump is one of his most iconic roles in his entire career. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and he disappears into the role with genuine sincerity, innocence, and emotional depth. His southern accent, iconic delivery, and unique body language have become memorable to date. In India. Aamir Khan adapted this story into Laal Singh Chaddha, which didn’t work at the box office but was critically acclaimed.
8. You’ve Got Mail
- IMDb Rating- 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-70%
- Smartprix Rating-7/10
- Runtime- 1 hour 59 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, Parker Posey & others
About the Movie- The story is based on the owner of a bookstore chain who meets the owner of a quaint little bookshop online, and they fall in love with each other. However, they are unaware that they are business rivals. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
Tom Hanks brings charm and intelligence to his role, which could have easily been unlikeable. He effortlessly balances sarcasm with sincerity, giving Joe emotional depth as he slowly falls for Kathleen. His chemistry with Meg Ryan is pure magic, and their offscreen bond shows onscreen.
9. The Green Mile
- IMDb Rating- 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-79%
- Smartprix Rating-7.8/10
- Runtime- 3 hours 8 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Michael Clarke, David Morse & others
About the Movie- The plot is based on Paul Edgecomb, the head guard of a prison, who meets an inmate, John Coffey, a black man accused of murdering two girls. His life changes drastically when he discovers that John has a special gift. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
Tom Hanks gives one of his most powerful and emotionally resonant performances in this movie. He brings quiet strength, moral gravity, and deep compassion to Paul, and his character is the emotional center of the film. Hanks conveys anguish, awe, and empathy with subtlety and also reflects on the price of holding knowledge and memory.
10. Saving Private Ryan
- IMDb Rating- 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-94%
- Smartprix Rating-8.8/10
- Runtime- 2 hours 49 minutes
- Starring-Tom Hanks with Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore & others
About the Movie- The story is set during the Normandy invasion of World War II, Captain John Miller, who is assigned the task of searching for Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have already been killed in the war. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
Tom Hanks has portrayed Miller with stoic realism and emotional restraint. His subtle vulnerability when his hands tremble or when he reveals his civilian identity is deeply moving. The performance is raw, grounded, and powerfully human, elevating the film from a war movie to a moral and emotional journey.
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