Tom Hanks essentials: The 10 movies you need to see before you die

Tom Hanks is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood currently. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, Tom Hanks has proved that he is one of the most versatile actors in the film industry, and his filmography includes everything from rom-coms and animated movies to survival dramas and mystery thrillers. The actor has won many accolades and has received the Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes. Hanks has also been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is famously known for his movies like Big, Forrest Gump, The Terminal, Saving Private Ryan, and many more. It is difficult to name just 10 movies of the veteran actor, but here are some of the must-watch movies of Tom Hanks.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

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The Green Mile, A Man called Otto, and other must-watch movies of Tom Hanks

1. Forrest Gump

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, this comedy drama features Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, and others. The movie focuses on the titular character, played by Hanks, who is from Alabama and has special needs. Circumstances happen around him, and he finds himself at the center of some of the leading events in 20th-century United States. The movie was a critical and commercial hit and won the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor awards for Hanks. The movie is set between the 1950s to 1980s as Gump pursues the love of his life, while being surrounded by important events. The movie was a milestone for Tom Hanks and is one of his most memorable roles. The actor was known for comedic roles, and this movie transitioned him into more dramatic and leading roles. Hanks modulated his physical and vocal mannerisms for the character of Gump and delivered the character with a certain charm, naivety, and innocence.

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2. The Terminal

Starring Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and others, this comedy-drama movie is directed by Steven Spielberg, and Hanks gives yet another iconic performance as Viktor Navorski in the movie. The movie is partially inspired by a true story and follows Viktor from Krakozhia, who learns while arriving at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, that a coup has taken place in his country and that the US no longer recognizes that country. As Viktor’s passport becomes invalid, he is forced to stay stuck at the airport as he cannot enter the country, nor can he go back to his own country. The movie is heartfelt, poignant, and Tom Hanks makes sure the viewers see his incredible range as an actor. Hanks emotes beautifully the pain of Viktor, and the actor underscores how he can only use his face to bring a character alive. It is one of the must-watch Tom Hanks movies.

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3. Sleepless in Seattle

Directed by Nora Ephron and starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and others, this romantic comedy movie is one of the most popular movies from the 1990s. The movie kick-started the frequent collaboration between Hanks and Ryan. The film is about a journalist, Annie (Ryan), who listens to a recently widowed architect, Sam (Hanks), on the radio, talk about his dearly he misses his wife. Even though Annie has a fiancé, she feels connected to Sam and his son. The two begin to meet each other and slowly realize that they are falling in love. The movie is cozy, whimsical, and is everything that a Nora Ephron movie is known for. The movie has some iconic scenes that are inspired by An Affair to Remember and is one of the must-watch movies of Tom Hanks, as the actor proves that he can take on romantic roles as well as any other character.

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4. The Green Mile

Apart from romantic roles, however, the actor is also known for playing emotional and dramatic roles. Directed by Frank Darabont and based on the 1996 novel by Stephen King, this epic fantasy and drama movie is set during the Great Depression and details how a corrections officer, Paul Edgecomb, used to oversee the death row section of a Penitentiary and was witness to a magical event. When a mysterious and enigmatic convict, John, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, arrives at the prison, he causes supernatural occurrences that Paul has never seen before. The movie is extremely tear-jerking and emotional, and has themes of racism, violence against women, and the prison system. The movie is thrilling and tense, and Tom Hanks gives a masterful performance as the head guard Paul, who becomes more vulnerable in the presence of John, and begins to doubt his conviction. With stellar performances by others as well and beautiful cinematography, the movie is a must-watch.

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5. Cast Away

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, this survival drama movie is one of the best movies by Tom Hanks, as the actor truly pushes his limits and showcases what an actor can truly do when they are dedicated to their character. The movie is harrowing yet heartfelt, as it focuses on Chuck (Hanks), who is a FedEx systems analyst and who gets stranded on a deserted island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. The movie details how Chuck tries ingenious methods to survive and return home. The movie has minimal dialogue as it focuses more on Hanks’ character’s struggles to get out and the visuals of the island. Hanks truly proves that he is a veteran Hollywood actor and can manage any role that is given to him. Even though the role is mentally and physically taxing, the actor gives it his all and truly embodies the struggle of Chuck.

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6. Toy Story

Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and others, this animated adventure comedy movie is directed by John Lasseter and is one of the most iconic animated movies of the 1990s because it was the first entirely computer-animated movie and was the first movie by Pixar. The movie takes place in a world where toys comes alive when humans are not present and focuses on the relationship between an old-fashioned pull string cowboy doll called Woody (Hanks) and a modern space cadet figure Buzz Lightyear (Allen), as Woody feels jealous of Lightyear, who becomes their owner Andy’s, new favorite toy. The movie revolutionized the animation industry and was a massive commercial and critical hit. Hanks and Allen share great chemistry throughout the movie as they engage in witty banter. The family-friendly movie is wholesome and magical, and Tom Hanks once again proves that he can take on both live-action as well as voice acting roles.

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7. Saving Private Ryan

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and others, this epic war movie is set in 1944 during World War II. The movie takes place in Normandy, France, where a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Hanks), are on a mission to find Private James Francis Ryan (Damon), who needs to go home as all three brothers have died in the war. Once again, the collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks led to movie magic as the film became a commercial and critical hit. The film was noted for its intensely realistic combat scenes, which were done with a lot of research and intricate work. The movie details the horrors of war, and Tom Hanks gives a nuanced and complex portrayal as the leader of his soldiers, who is torn between duty and morality. The actor gives an emotionally powerful performance, and it is one of the best Tom Hanks movies.

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8. Sully: Miracle on the Hudson

Based on the 2009 autobiography by Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow, this biographical drama movie is directed by Clint Eastwood and features Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, and others. The movie details the real-life incident of US Airways Flight 1549, which made an emergency landing on the Hudson River and was able to save all 155 passengers and crew. The movie also looks at how and why Captain Sully (Hanks) made the decision to land in water, and the investigation and publicity that changed his life afterwards. The movie was a critical and commercial success and is nerve-wracking and thrilling. Tom Hanks gives a mature and nuanced performance as Sully, who is a duty-bound captain who wants to save people’s lives. The actor embodies the nerve and grit of the character during the scene where the plane is about to crash land on the Hudson and proves why he is one of the foremost actors in Hollywood.

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9. Apollo 13

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and others, this docudrama movie dramatizes the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission and is based on the 1994 book by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. The movie tells the story of astronauts Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, who participate in the Apollo 13 mission but suffer serious problems as an onboard explosion deprives the spacecraft of its oxygen and electric power and forces NASA to abandon the Moon landing and bring the three astronauts safely. The movie was a critical and commercial success and has many famous scenes and dialogues that are now a part of pop culture. Tom Hanks gives a stellar performance as astronaut Lovell, who has a dream of landing on the moon, but must also sacrifice that to keep his crew safe and land them on Earth. A must-watch movie.

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10. A Man called Otto

Starring Tom Hanks, this comedy drama movie is directed by Marc Forster and is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Fredrik Backman, and is also a remake of the 2015 Swedish movie. The movie features a 60-something widower, Otto Anderson (Hanks), who lives in Pittsburgh and has become a cynical and fastidious person after losing his wife. The movie is one of the most recent projects by Tom Hanks, and the actor proves that even at his mature age, he can play any kind of role that is thrown at him. The movie is sweet and heartfelt and is an easygoing and breezy watch for fans of the actor. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and Hanks delivers a certain charm and brilliance to his character of Otto. A must-watch movie.