Top 10 Films – Tom Hanks
List compiled by Eddie on 18/04/2014
Tom Hanks, an actor that everyone who loves film would have some form of affiliation with is a fantastic actor that over a period of roughly 20 years was involved in some cinema’s finest and best loved pictures, a purple patch that many actors could only dream of!. During his time in the industry Hanks has won 2 Oscars for his marvellous performances in two widely different films in Forrest Gump and Philadelphia all the while being nominated for countless other performances and other film related acknowledgements. While Hank’s output has in the last 10 years slightly diminished Cloud Atlas and more specifically Captain Phillips have seen a Hanks-naissance that is showing us all again just how talented an actor he is.
Below is a list that represents the man’s films as a best of and is in no means meant to reflect solely his performance in that picture (hence on personal judgement no Philadelphia) but the movie as a whole. In a career that features a stunning variety of genres and downright classics it was no easy task but for better or worse here are the 10 films that stand out most to me personally.
Hanks played many roles in the Sci-Fi epic Cloud Atlas
10. Cloud Atlas (2012)
Hanks plays – various
The Wachowski Siblings (there no longer brothers people!) and Tom Tykwer’s U.S box office bomb and critically misunderstood movie is also one of the most unique and affecting Sci-Fi’s of the last decade. A film filled with perhaps to many ideas and strands it is still a film that harbors much beauty, many a fine performance and one of the best accompanying musical scores ever committed to screen. If you missed this one track is down now!
9. Apollo 13 (1995)
Hanks plays – Jim Lovell
Ron Howard’s dramatization of the real life Apollo 13 incident is a great example of workmanlike filmmaking that has a great script, memorable performances by its seasoned cast and enough heart to fill dozens of other films. In a film that could’ve had much grandstanding and manipulation Apollo 13 stayed rightfully grounded in reality.
8. Captain Phillips (2013)
Hanks plays – Captain Richard Phillips
Some may argue that the dust has not yet settled enough on this film to include it in this list but the facts are Greengrass’s tense and finely crafted thriller features a tour de force performance from Hanks and features some nail biting filmmaking that many would strive yet never achieve. The last ten minutes of this film must surely rank with some of the most powerful of recent cinema.
7. Road to Perdition (2002)
Hanks Plays – Michael Sullivan
In American Beauty director Sam Mendes follow up Hanks plays an against type role of mobster worker Michael Sullivan and what we get is one of the best gangster films made that acts also as a fine example of a father and son bond featuring great all round acting (including screen legend Paul Newman) and some stunning cinematography work from the late great Conrad L. Hall.
6. The Green Mile (1999)
Hanks plays – Paul Edgecomb
Frank Darabont knows a thing or two about Steven King and prison movies and his 3 hour epic The Green Mile is a touching and unique take on the two that offered up new comer Michael Clarke Duncan a chance to act beside the seasoned Hanks in what turned out to be one of the more memorable on screen duos of the 90’s.
Hanks in Sam Mendes’s at times beautiful gangster flick Road To Perdition
5. Big (1988)
Hanks plays – Josh
If you needed any proof of Hanks on screen charm carrying and making a movie more the sum of its parts then Big is the perfect option for you. An 80’s classic that has smarts and personality to spare Big is entertaining movie of the highest order that officially marked Hanks as one of the world’s biggest stars.
4. Toy Story (1995)
Hanks voices – Woody
Pixar’s announcement to the film world is a charming much loved animation classic that produced another 2 quality entries in the series. While Pixar’s then ground-breaking CGI was a major factor in its success Hanks great voice work as cowboy Woody can’t be denied also. One for the whole family!
3. Cast Away (2000)
Hanks plays – Chuck Noland
Re-teaming with his Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis Hanks’s virtually one man show Cast Away is a movie that makes you feel emotion for a volleyball and therefore is a movie with a rare power. Stories of survival and the will to live have barely been done better and Hank’s committed both emotionally and physically turn is a sight to behold.
2. Forrest Gump (1994)
Hanks plays – Forrest Gump
Truly nothing needs to be said about this 1990’s classic which has seeped into popular culture in more ways that could of ever been predicted, a fact highlighted by its current sitting at number 14 on the IMDB Top 250. A journey that every film lover deserves to see and whilst manipulative and arguable over-sentimental there is no denying the power of this particular tale of love, war and triumph over adversity.
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Hanks plays – Captain Miller
Steven Spielberg’s stunning war movie is a film that features a vast collection of solid performances and filmmaking quality’s and the film has the ability to make you laugh, cry and feel every bullet of the battle which is all backed up by a charismatic and underplayed performance by Hanks. A true classic and possibly the greatest war movie ever produced.
As Captain Miller Hanks displayed a wide range of acting traits in an overall stunning war film
For our other actor Top 10’s see below –
How does this list stack up to your favourite Tom Hanks films? How do you feel about Catch Me if You Can missing the cut? Let us know in the comments below!
I agree that all on the list are great movies. Almost too many from his career to choose from. My “one that didn’t make the list” (and one you did mention, though) is “Philadelphia.” Enjoyed reading your list!
Cheers for stopping by,Philedelphia is a powerful tale but as you said there is a raft to choose form.
Eddie
Great list! Of that group, I liked Saving Private Ryan best, and Road to Perdition was my favorite “idea” of a movie he was in, I thought it could have been a better movie, but great to see him, Jude and Newman at the top of their game. Well, it was a great movie, it pissed me off that he (spoiler alert!) got shot and died. Freaking great list!
Cheers China some great points raised by you also mate.
Eddie
I had the fortune to see Pvt Ryan with very few in the theater (I always plan these things). I walked out of the theatre stunned. Top echelon of war movies (Platoon my fave) and of all movies. Definitive D-Day? Me thinks so.
Castaway, Apollo 13, and Toy Story are all great. Good list, good work!
Cheers man, they are great flicks all in their own rights.
Eddie
What rank would you put The Da Vinci Code on this list if you had to expand it?
#22?
Oh it would be pretty low I must say, not as bad as Angels and Demons.
Eddie
I admire Tom Hanks’ work a lot.
I especially enjoyed Philadelphia and Forest Gump. Looking forward to see his work in Captain Phillips.
Great share!!
Cheers
Thanks for stopping by and your in for a treat when you see Phillips it is a real acting tour de force.
Eddie
Now, I can’t wait watch this!
Thanks,
Cheers!!
I would put both Splash and Charlie Wilson’s War on the list and I’m afraid I’d lose Forrest Gump.
Ha Splash man that is something of a classic not so sure about Charlie I found that one a little forgettable.
Eddie
I know it’s controversial but I find Tom Hanks really annoying. I don’t know why. I did love him in Philedelphia though.
Ah each to there own, I do know a few that don’t think much of the man I certainly think he has made some pretty weak films but also some real gems.
Eddie
I find Tom Hanks sort of Annoying. I like the quote Dead Ringers made about him – “Playing exactly the same role as he does in every film” or something.
I saw about 30 Minutes of Captain Phillips, all of Saving Private Ryan and almost saw Cloud Atlas. I do like him in Toy Story somewhat as he is more up-beat than he usually is.
Did you like Private Ryan mate? I think that is one film you’d have to admit is pretty ripper.
Eddie
I found it to be a bit dull up to the village battle. I did sort of like the appearance of Dylan Bruno briefly, and I liked that Sniper Guy as well as showing how horrible people can be when they want to execute that German bloke, but for most of it, it wasn’t really my cup of tea. I do sometimes watch it when it’s on TV though.
Fair enough man, can’t win over everyone. I really do think its one of Speilberg and Hanks best.
Eddie
dont understand that Dead Ringers quote. Hanks is one of the few top Hollywood actors who has a crazy range, just my opinion though 🙂
I did my own top 10 on Hanks not too long ago and think I had Philadelphia and Saving Mr. Banks (no love for Walt?) instead of Atlas and The Green Mile. I despise Cloud Atlas, but otherwise our lists were pretty simliar. Awesome job!
Oh man Cloud Atlas is one of those films, very ambitious I found it really intriguing.
Eddie
I agree with your top 6 but would probably swap out 7-10 with: The Burbs. Bachelor Party, The Money Pit, and Turner and Hooch. I like his early comedies and your list has too many serious flicks 🙂
Ha nothing wrong with a good comedy mate, something Hanks is pretty good at.
Eddie
Road to Perdition was ten times the film I was expecting it to be. Gritty and grim, but gorgeously shot, and not without its own dark humor. I would have to add ‘Joe vs the Volcano’ to my list. Kind of a guilty pleasure, but the whole thing is so quotable and fun. Solid list, though. And I agree with you on ‘Cloud Atlas’, muchly underappreciated. Also: ‘Dragnet’.
Talking about Road to Perdition makes me wanna grab a copy and watch it, such a unique type of film that one.
Eddie
Do so Eddie! Hanks really projected his “job” in that movie, the acting was top shelf. Daniel Craig before he became 007 (my personal all-time hero) Stanley Tucci, Newman. I wish they would have shown more hits before he turned “outlaw” outlaw.
I haven’t seen Cloud Atlas yet but am surprised by its inclusion. Thought maybe Philadelphia would be up there or Catch Me If You Can. Forrest Gump would be my number 1 though 🙂
Atlas is well worth having a go at mate, a very unique and in many ways brave film.
Eddie
Can’t go wrong with Tom Hanks. I’m glad to see Road to Perdition on there, seeing him play an Irish mobster is so different but he does it so well.
Spot on mate, he really has picked some pretty roles and movies.
Eddie
Great list! Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors and “Saving Private Ryan” and “Forrest Gump” are among my top five movies of all time!
Cheers!
Great to hear the Hanks love. Those films are just gems.
Eddie
Reblogged this on What Did Ewe Think? and commented:
Check out Jordan and Eddie’s list!
Really surprised Road to Perdition was on this list, because Hanks was the only reason the movie was bearable for me. I think Green Mile should have been the third personally, but at least you got Ryan and Forrest Gump in the one-two slots.
Nice to hear we were not to far off the Mark, sad to hear you don’t dig Perdition.
Eddie
I had a friend once say “Joseph Gordan-Levitt…Tom Hanks knows what you’re trying to do!”
Look out!
great blog! happy to follow!
Haha. Great comment actually, everyone loves them some JGL. Cheers for the kind words look forward to staying in touch.
Eddie
Oh man, I love Cloud Atlas.
It is a very grand and unique flick no doubt about it 🙂
Eddie
This is a good list. One that I would include is his 2004 “The Terminal,” also directed by Spielberg. It didn’t get the buzz it should have, but Hanks was great in it. For some reason it has always stuck with me.
Joan
Hi Joan for some reason I really disliked that one which is strange as I love Hanks and Spielberg normally.
Eddie
I love Tom Hanks & this is a perfect list. I’m so happy to find other people who appreciate how amazing “Road to Perdition” is! It’s one of my favourite films.
I fell in love with Stephen King’s “The Green Mile” so much that I haven’t watched the film in fear that it would be a disappointment – maybe I’ll give it a gander 🙂
Thanks so much Sara, I really do suggest a watch of the Green Mile it’s a very well acted and touching film.
Eddie
C
Sorry had a few glitches there! Great list although I would put Philidelphia in my top 3. I loved cloud atlas and saw it 3 times at the cinema. Tom hanks was part of my childhood with films like splash and turner hooch which I have a great soft spot for, but wouldn’t add them to the list. I can’t argue to much with yours!
Nice to hear mate, always tough picking lists with someone so popular but glad to know your on the same type of page and especially with your love for Cloud Atlas.
Eddie
No worries! I wrote my own blog on mr hanks!
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My #1 Tom Hanks Movie is by far “The ‘Burbs” (1989)
I LOVE him 🙂
Very left of field choice, I have not seen that one in a long long time.
E
I know. I don’t think many would agree with me, but it’s a childhood film and I’ll always have a special place for it on my all time favorite films list 🙂
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Nice list, but it’s missing “A League of Their Own”. 🙂
A very fun film that one!
E
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