Few actors have built as beloved a movie career as Tom Hanks. The two-time Oscar-winning actor continues to appear in exciting projects, such as Elvis but his filmography is filled with so many iconic roles that have helped to make him one of the biggest actors of all time.
Hanks is known for his ability to seamlessly transition from intense dramas to light-hearted comedies and his top-rated movies on Ranker showcase both aspects of his talents. Looking at these most popular movies among fans, it is a reminder that Tom Hanks is a movie star like no other.
Philadelphia (1993)
Hanks won his first Oscar for his powerful and moving performance in the courtroom drama Philadelphia. He plays a gay lawyer who sues his former law firm for wrongful termination when they fire him after discovering he has AIDS.
Hanks stars alongside Denzel Washington as his lawyer who is confronted with his own prejudices when taking on the case. It is an emotional and compelling story featuring confident and stunning direction from Jonathan Demme.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
One of the many great directors Hanks has worked with has been Steven Spielberg and Catch Me If You Can ranks as one of their best collaborations. Based on the wild true story, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a young con man who passed himself off as a doctor, lawyer, and airline pilot while forging fake cheques around the country.
DiCaprio is endlessly charming and riveting as the young criminal and Hanks is a fun supporting character as the FBI agent hunting him down. Spielberg turns this into a suave and energetic caper from beginning to end.
A League Of Their Own (1992)
Though Hanks has a reputation as one of the nicest celebrities in Hollywood, it can be a lot of fun to see him play gruffer characters such as in A League of Their Own. Loosely based on real events, the period sports comedy focuses on the wartime movement to replace the professional baseball player at war with female players.
The likes of Geena Davis, Lori Petty, and Madonna play the athletes while Hanks is a lot of fun as their washed-up coach who helps to turn them into a winning team.
Big (1988)
Hanks has several Oscar nominations to his name, but his first came from a very unexpected movie. In Big, a young boy makes a wish to be an adult, only to wake up as a grown man (played by Hanks). He then finds himself dealing with the world of adults, including a job and romance.
There are few actors who could so effectively portray the energy and excitement of a young boy as Hanks does in this movie. It is a wonderful comedic performance that really convinces audiences of the magic of the story. There are also so many fun sequences in the movie, including the famous floor piano scene.
Toy Story (1995)
Hanks has the distinction of not only starring in the very first Pixar movie but also bringing one of their most beloved characters to life. Toy Story imagines what children's toys do when they are left alone with Hanks voicing Woody the cowboy who finds himself replaced as the favorite toy by the astronaut action figure Buzz Lightyear.
Aside from the ground-breaking animation of the movie, Toy Story is a hilarious, entertaining, and touching family-friendly adventure that still holds up today. Hanks and Tim Allen help to create a wonderful movie friendship between Woody and Buzz.
Cast Away (2000)
It takes an actor of immense talent to be able to carry nearly an entire movie as the only performer on screen. Hanks was more than up to the task with the survival story of Cast Away. Hanks plays the only survivor of a plane crash who spends years stranded on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean.
Hanks is captivating in the lead role, showing the desperation, fear, and determination of this man who faces one deadly obstacle after another. The movie itself entertains and thrills audiences with its adventure story.
Apollo 13 (1995)
Hanks found himself isolated in another dangerous situation and in need of rescue, this time in the depths of space. Based on the actual events, Apollo 13 stars Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon as a trio of astronauts on a trip to the moon that goes awry, leading to a desperate attempt on their part and the NASA workers on the ground to bring them home safely.
Even though the climax is part of the historical record, director Ron Howard manages to craft a gripping thriller that is also a celebration of teamwork and intelligence in the face of mounting issues.
The Green Mile (1999)
Based on a Stephen King story, The Green Mile is set in the 1930s with Hanks playing the head guard of a death row prison facility. His life is changed by the arrival of a massive yet gentle inmate named John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) who possesses an unbelievable secret.
The movie is a strange yet stirring tale elevated by the performances, especially from Hanks and Duncan. It is heartbreaking and riveting with plenty of surprises.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Hanks won his second Oscar and created an iconic cinematic character as the title character in Forrest Gump. The movie follows the intellectually delayed yet kind-hearted Forrest throughout his life where he inadvertently plays a part in several events throughout American history.
Hanks gives a performance that helps to ground the character who could have come off as incredibly offensive in the wrong hands. He is funny, charming, and tragic as Forrest deals with love, loss, and experiencing the most out of life.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Hanks teamed with Spielberg for the first time to deliver one of the most visceral war movies ever made. Saving Private Ryan finds Hanks playing the commanding officer of a small company of men in World War II who go in search of a missing soldier who is being sent home.
Spielberg delivers some of his finest work as a director in this stunning movie, especially with the iconic opening beach assault. Hanks also helps bring a human aspect to the story with a more grounded war hero than audiences are used to seeing.