Tom Hanks is the kind of actor who only comes along once in a lifetime. He has a certain charm that has made him beloved by audiences for decades. His performances span across all genres, and he seldom makes a bad movie. Hanks has worked with some of the greatest filmmakers of the past half century and is constantly delivering performances that are real, lovable, and authentic. At the same time, many people who have interacted with Hanks have said that he is a genuinely nice person with a good heart. Hanks has been nominated for six Academy Awards throughout his career and has taken home two Oscars, for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.

Hanks was born in Concord, California, and had a passion for acting from a very young age. He continued to study acting in college but ended up dropping out to pursue an acting career in New York City. Hanks made his film debut in a slasher film entitled He Knows You're Alone while working in theater. From there, Hanks made guest appearances on shows such as Happy Days and Growing Pains, and made his big break in the 1984 film Splash.

Since then, Hanks has become one of the most prestigious actors in Hollywood as well as a successful director and producer. Hanks has some exciting upcoming projects, including narrating the docuseries Americas and starring in Robert Zemeckis' Here, but before that, let's dive into his best movies of all time, ranked.

Updated May 22, 2023: If you love Tom Hanks, you'll be happy to know this article has been updated by Katie Downey with additional content and entries.

17 A Man Called Otto (2022)

A Man Called Otto
Sony Pictures Releasing

This is Hanks' latest installment in his seemingly never-ending acting career. A Man Called Otto is actually based on a 2012 Swedish book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. The American version dropped the Swedish name in exchange for a more American one. Hanks plays a down-and-out widower who hates everything since his wife passed away. Otto is in for a surprise in more ways than one when he meets his new pregnant neighbor. This is a fantastic book and movie about overcoming loss and leading your best life, plus there's a cat named Smeagol in the movie.

16 Finch (2021)

An image of Tom Hanks from the movie, Finch
Apple+

The movie Finch, starring Hanks, and his dog sidekick, Goodyear. This is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Hanks' character, Finch, is a survivor of a world with a quickly failing ozone layer. He is worried about who will look after his dog once he dies from the sun's radiation and decided to build a robot to care for Goodyear. The love Finch has for his dog, Goodyear, is seen in many post-apocalyptic movies and stands to represent what makes us the most "human," in times of crisis. It seems that dogs as best friends mean more to us than just companionship, they are what keeps us rooted in survival.

Related: Every Tom Hanks Movie of the 1990s, Ranked

15 Splash (1984)

An underwater kiss in Splash
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

As Hanks' debut movie with Darryl Hannah, Splash settled into the hearts of millions of people. With other roles given to the likes of John Candy, there's no question why this movie was such a huge success. When Hanks' character meets the beautiful mermaid, he falls in love. The government is out to get her and run tests, but she is too busy shopping and having a great time. Not only is this one of Hanks' best performances, but Darryl Hannah made an excellent mermaid.

14 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Tom Hanks' Neighborhood
Sony Pictures

This movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, was created with one of everyone's favorite children's programs in mind; Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers didn't have a perfect life and did not come from a perfect childhood, but he knew exactly how to get through to anyone, child or adult. Rogers always had great advice regarding difficult situations and above all, knew that children were meant to have fun playing and building their imaginations.

This is one of Hanks' best performances and is truly heartwarming. Sometimes as we age, we lose the child-like magic that was once our imagination and Hanks' does a brilliant job at reminding us of what is most important in this life.

13 Sully (2016)

Tom Hanks in Sully (2016)
Warner Bros. Pictures

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the "Miracle on the Hudson" when Captain Sully Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media, an investigation unfolded that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. Hanks shines in Sully under the skilled direction of the legendary Clint Eastwood. Even this late in his career, Hanks shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to awards-caliber performances.

12 Cloud Atlas (2012)

Tom Hanks in Cloud Atlas
Warner Bros. Pictures
X Verleih AG

While certainly polarizing, even audiences who hated the Wachowskis' Cloud Atlas have to admit that Hanks is incredible in it, playing a variety of characters throughout multiple time periods: Dr. Henry Goose, a hotel manager, Isaac Sachs, Dermot Hoggins, and Zachry are some of the roles Hanks dons in the film.

Cloud Atlas is an often bewildering but utterly beautiful and bonkers epic about the human condition, power, and the fluidity of the human experience. Existing simultaneously on critics' 'Best Of' and 'Worst Of' lists for the year, Cloud Atlas remains a puzzle box filled with impressive performances.

11 Apollo 13 (1995)

Tom Hanks as Commander Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 (1995)
Universal Pictures

Ron Howard's American space drama tells the riveting story of the Apollo 13 astronauts who successfully made it home after a near-death mission. Hanks portrays the ship's commander, Jim Lovell, who leads his team to safety after a series of disasters.

Related: The Best Outer Space Movies of The 2000s, Ranked

Apollo 13 was an intense experience, and the film keeps its characters at the core of the story to create a strong emotional connection with audiences. Apollo 13 is a tale of bravery and showcases the intelligence and determination of the NASA Space Program, and the film was nominated for nine Oscars.

10 Toy Story Series (1995 to 2019)

Tom Hanks as Woody in Toy Story (1995)
Walt Disney Pictures

In Pixar's Toy Story, Tom Hanks blessed us with the iconic voice of Woody, who has been delighting audiences to this day. Woody and his gang of toys overcome obstacles and villains throughout their many adventures. At the same time, Toy Story is about love, friendship, and self-acceptance. It is possibly one of the most beloved Pixar movies of all time, and it wouldn't be the same without the voice talents of Tom Hanks.

9 Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can (2002)
DreamWorks Pictures

Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can is a classic cat-and-mouse tale that tells the true story of con artist Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio). Hanks takes on the role of FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, who is on the pursuit of Abagnale throughout the film. The music, performances, and direction all hit the marks for a fantastic dramatic thriller. The chemistry between Hanks and DiCaprio is top-notch, and the film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

8 Captain Phillips (2013)

Tom Hanks in Captain Philliips (2013)
Columbia Pictures

Paul Greeengrass' riveting film Captain Phillips tells the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks), who becomes a hostage to Somali pirates after his ship is hijacked. Hanks gives a solid and emotional performance as Phillips, who struggles to come out of the situation alive and unharmed, and Barkhad Abdi is phenomenal in what was his film debut, earning Oscar nominations and awards as the leader of the pirates. Greengrass' direction once again delivers a gritty and realistic film depicting true events.

7 Big (1988)

Tom Hanks in Big (1988)
20th Century Fox

This 1988 comedy tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who magically turns into an adult overnight. The film is carried by Tom Hanks' performance. He completely embodies the mindset and physicality of a young boy, and his performance even earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Big is filled with heart, comedy, and one of Hanks' best performances to date.

6 The Green Mile (1999)

Hanks and  Duncan in The Green Mile
Castle Rock Entertainment

Frank Darabont's The Green Mile adapts the classic Stephen King novel and tells the story of a magically gifted prison inmate, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), who is wrongfully convicted of murder. Hanks takes the role of a prison guard named Paul Edgecomb who discovers the powers of Coffey and is put to the test of whether he should carry out his duties of execution. The film is a dramatic masterpiece that adapts King's writing with sheer perfection.

5 Road to Perdition (2002)

Tom Hanks in Road to Perdition
DreamWorks

Tom Hanks had been in a string of successful romantic comedies (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, That Thing You Do) and heroic characters, so when he took on the role of Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition, he shocked audiences with his coldness and violence. One of the few times the actor played a villain, though Sullivan is more complicated than the average bad guy, a devoted father who nonetheless leaves a trail of violence and death wherever he travels in this gritty Great Depression neo-noir.

4 Cast Away (2000)

Tom Hanks in Cast Away
20th Century Fox

Cast Away is basically a one-man show consisting of a FedEx executive (Tom Hanks) deserted on an island. It is not easy for an actor to carry a movie with hardly any dialogue or supporting cast, but through Hanks' emotion, physicality, and talent, the film is a survival story of epic proportions. The film is brilliantly directed by Robert Zemeckis and earned Tom Hanks an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

3 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Tom Sizemore and Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan (1998)
DreamWorks Pictures

Steven Spielberg's epic WWII drama tells the story of a group of soldiers on a quest to retrieve Private Ryan (Matt Damon) after his brothers were killed in battle. Saving Private Ryan is arguably the greatest WWII film of all time and delivers one of the most realistic depictions of battle in the first twenty minutes of the film, as the soldiers storm the beaches of Normandy. Hanks, along with his fellow cast members, delivers brutally honest portrayals of soldiers in the nightmares of war.

Related: Forrest Gump: Why Jenny is Unfairly Villainized

2 Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (1994)
The Tisch Company

Tom Hanks earned his second Academy Award in Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump. Hanks takes the titular role, a man with an extremely low IQ who takes the viewer on a journey through America over the course of several years. Using impressive special effects to insert Hanks into major moments throughout history, and featuring multiple iconic moments that are still quoted today, Forrest Gump is a gem that is still beloved by audiences to this day. It has heart, drama, romance, and one of the best Hollywood scripts of all time, and Hanks is absolutely perfect.

1 Philadelphia (1993)

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in Philadelphia
TriStar Pictures

Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia is a heartbreaking tale of an attorney dying from AIDS (Hanks) who sues his law firm for wrongful termination with the help of attorney Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). Philadelphia was a landmark film that brought AIDS to the attention of audiences (ten years after it first began) and non-judgmentally showcased the pain it brought to innocent people.

Hanks delivers a career-defining performance and earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor. Demme's direction is brilliant, with some of his most subtle but emotionally poignant compositions. While Hanks now believes it was inauthentic to play a gay character, Philadelphia remains an emotionally compelling film that fights for civil rights.