The Most Popular Tom Hanks Movie, Ranked

Choose the movie you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:52
Choosing a favorite Tom Hanks movie can be as challenging as picking the best dessert at a bakery. Each film offers a unique flavor of storytelling and unforgettable performances, all contributed by an actor beloved for his range and relatability. A ranked list helps to see which movies have touched the hearts of most audiences, providing insights into trends and generational preferences. By participating in voting, users contribute to a collective assessment that highlights which of these films resonate more profoundly with viewers. Whether you enjoy heartfelt dramas or exhilarating adventures, seeing how your personal favorites stack up against the crowd offers a fun and engaging way to connect with a larger community of cinema enthusiasts.

What Is the Most Popular Tom Hanks Movie?

  1. 1
    22
    votes
    Forrest Gump (1994)
    Rameshng · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This iconic film won six Oscars, including Best Picture, and features Hanks in a memorable performance as the titular character.
    Forrest Gump (1994) is a heartwarming American film that tells the life story of Forrest Gump, a kind-hearted and intellectually challenged man. The movie follows Forrest's journey through various historical events, showcasing his extraordinary experiences and his encounters with famous personalities. Through humor, drama, and poignant moments, the film explores themes of love, friendship, perseverance, and the unpredictability of life.
    • Release Date: July 6, 1994
    • Runtime: 142 minutes
    • Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
    • Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
    • Academy Awards: Won 6 Oscars
    Forrest Gump (1994) in other rankings
  2. 2
    34
    votes
    Saving Private Ryan (1998)
    Cygomezm · Public domain

    Saving Private Ryan (1998)

    Steven Spielberg
    This World War II epic directed by Steven Spielberg received critical acclaim and showcased Hanks' dramatic acting skills.
    Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie follows a group of U.S. soldiers during World War II as they embark on a dangerous mission to retrieve a paratrooper, Private James Francis Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in action. It is a poignant exploration of the cost of war and the value of human life.
    • Release Date: July 24, 1998
    • Genre: War, Drama
    • Runtime: 169 minutes
    • Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel
    • Cinematography: Janusz KamiƄski
    Saving Private Ryan (1998) in other rankings
  3. 3
    27
    votes

    Cast Away (2000)

    Robert Zemeckis
    Hanks' portrayal of a FedEx employee stranded on a deserted island earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
    Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis. It stars Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive who becomes stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash and must find a way to survive and eventually escape back to civilization.
    • Release Date: December 22, 2000
    • Genre: Drama, Adventure
    • Runtime: 143 minutes
    • Box Office: $429.6 million
    • Production Company: Playtone, ImageMovers, DreamWorks Pictures
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    Hanks voiced the beloved character of Woody in this Pixar animated classic, which spawned multiple sequels and merchandise.
    Toy Story (1995) is a beloved animated film that follows the story of a group of toys who come to life when humans are not around. The film showcases the adventures of Woody, a loyal cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a fancy space ranger action figure. Together, they navigate the challenges of friendship, envy, and loyalty in the context of their owner Andy's coming of age.
    • Release Date: November 22, 1995
    • Running Time: 81 minutes
    • Genre: Animated, Adventure, Comedy
    • Rating: G
    • Box Office: $373.6 million
    Toy Story (1995) in other rankings
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    The Green Mile (1999)
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

    The Green Mile (1999)

    Directed by Frank Darabont
    Based on a Stephen King novel, this emotional drama features Hanks as a prison guard who forms a bond with a death row inmate.
    The Green Mile (1999) is a dramatic movie based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The story is set in 1935 and revolves around Paul Edgecomb, a prison officer working in the Cold Mountain Penitentiary's death row. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets John Coffey, a gentle giant with supernatural healing powers who is on death row for the murder of two young girls. As Paul gets to know John and witnesses his miraculous abilities, he questions his own beliefs and the nature of justice.
    • Release Year: 1999
    • Duration: 189 minutes
    • Genre: Drama, Crime, Fantasy
    • Based On: Novel by Stephen King
    • Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse
    The Green Mile (1999) in other rankings
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    This groundbreaking film about a lawyer with AIDS earned Hanks his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
    Philadelphia is a drama film released in 1993. The story revolves around Andrew Beckett, a successful lawyer who is terminated from his job after his employer discovers he is suffering from AIDS. Andrew decides to sue his former law firm for wrongful dismissal, and partners with Joe Miller, a homophobic lawyer who initially hesitates to take his case. As Andrew's health deteriorates, Joe begins to see the injustice in the discrimination faced by his client. The film explores themes of prejudice, discrimination, and the fight for justice and equality.
    • Release Year: 1993
    • Genre: Drama
    • Runtime: 125 minutes
    • Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas
    • Director: Jonathan Demme
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Hanks' star-making turn as a boy who magically becomes an adult overnight is a classic family comedy.
    Big (1988) is a fantasy comedy film directed by Penny Marshall. The story revolves around a young boy named Josh, who magically transforms into a fully grown adult overnight. Josh, played by Tom Hanks, embarks on a hilarious journey as he navigates the adult world while trying to find a way to reverse the transformation and return to his normal life.
    • Release Date: June 3, 1988
    • Running Time: 104 minutes
    • Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
    • Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia
    • Production Company: Gracie Films
  8. 8
    5
    votes

    A League of Their Own (1992)

    Directed by Penny Marshall
    Hanks played a washed-up baseball coach in this female-led sports comedy, which also starred Geena Davis and Madonna.
    A League of Their Own is a 1992 American sports comedy-drama film that tells the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The film follows the Rockford Peaches, a women's baseball team, as they navigate through the challenges of playing professional baseball during World War II.
    • Release Date: July 1, 1992
    • Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sports
    • Running Time: 128 minutes
    • Box Office: $132.4 million
    • Cast: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, Megan Cavanagh, Tracy Reiner, Bitty Schram, Ann Cusack
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Hanks and Meg Ryan star in this romantic comedy, which has become a beloved classic of the genre.
    Sleepless in Seattle is a romantic comedy film released in 1993. It follows the story of Sam Baldwin, a widower from Seattle, and Annie Reed, a journalist from Baltimore. Sam's son calls into a radio talk show to find a new partner for his father, and Annie becomes intrigued by Sam's story. As fate would have it, they connect and develop a long-distance romance filled with anticipation and obstacles.
    • Release year: 1993
    • Genre: Romantic comedy
    • Director: Nora Ephron
    • Screenplay: Nora Ephron and David S. Ward
    • Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger
    Sleepless in Seattle (1993) in other rankings
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    Captain Phillips (2013)

    Paul Greengrass
    Hanks received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a cargo ship captain who is taken hostage by Somali pirates in this tense thriller.
    Captain Phillips (2013) is a biographical drama film based on the true story of Richard Phillips, the captain of the MV Maersk Alabama, who was taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009. The film follows the intense and suspenseful events that transpire as Phillips and his crew attempt to outwit the pirates and survive the harrowing ordeal.
    • Release Date: October 11, 2013
    • Duration: 134 minutes
    • Genre: Biography, Drama, Thriller
    • Director: Paul Greengrass
    • Writer: Billy Ray

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Ranking factors for popular movie

  1. Box office performance
    This refers to how well the movie performed at the box office, its overall revenue, and its success in different regions and markets.
  2. Critical acclaim
    This involves looking at how the movie was received by professional critics, industry experts and respected media publications. This includes awards and nominations the movie received, as well as its overall reception in the industry.
  3. Audience appeal
    This means looking at how popular the movie was among movie-goers and audiences, its overall appeal and level of cultural impact.
  4. Tom Hanks' performance
    This refers to how well Tom Hanks performed in the lead role, and how his overall performance contributed to the movie's success.
  5. Legacy
    This involves considering the movie's long-term impact on cinema and popular culture, its ability to stand the test of time, and its continued relevance and influence.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Tom Hanks movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 920 views
  • 144 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular tom hanks movie

Tom Hanks is undoubtedly one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood. His impressive career spans over four decades and has earned him countless accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor. With so many iconic roles under his belt, it can be difficult to determine which Tom Hanks movie reigns supreme. From heartwarming classics like "Forrest Gump" and "Sleepless in Seattle" to critically acclaimed dramas like "Philadelphia" and "Saving Private Ryan," the competition is fierce. At StrawPoll, we've gathered data from thousands of movie lovers to determine the most popular Tom Hanks movie of all time. So sit back, grab some popcorn, and let's dive into the world of Tom Hanks films.

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