Best Tom Hanks Movies

By: Angie Marie

Break Studios Contributing Writer

With over 30 years in the movie business, it's difficult to narrow down the best Tom Hanks movies, however a select few stand out from the pack. The actor, producer and writer has won numerous awards along the way, for his dramatic roles, comedic genius and voice work. While this is by no means a complete list of the best Tom Hanks movies, these ten are extra special for a variety of reasons.

"Splash" After finding success on television, Hanks starred in the breakout romantic comedy "Splash" in 1984. The film marked the first film from Touchtone Pictures as well as Hanks' first of many films with director Ron Howard.
"Big" In the dramatic comedy directed by Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks portrayed a young boy in an adult's body. The 1989 film cleaned up at the box office and earned Hanks his first Golden Globe Award.
"A League of Their Own" Reuniting with director Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks shared the big screen with the likes of Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell in this classic favorite. The film, which follows an all-girl baseball team in the 1940s, is perhaps best known for Hanks' catch phrase, "there's no crying in baseball."
"Philadelphia" Continuing to dominate the 1990s, "Philadelphia" marked one of Tom Hanks' best dramatic roles in the controversial film about homosexuality, AIDS and discrimination. Hanks' stellar performance landed him his first Academy Award as well as another Golden Globe Award.
"Forrest Gump" Released just seven months after "Philadelphia," "Forrest Gump" followed Hanks in one of his most memorable roles as a simple man with an amazing life story. He repeated as Best Actor at the Oscars as well as took home a slew of other awards for the film.
"Apollo 13" In another collaboration with director Ron Howard, Tom Hanks portrayed astronaut Jim Lovell in "Apollo 13," which was based on the 1970 failed space mission of the same name. The film received nine Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture, winning two.
"Toy Story" Lending his pipes to this animated classic, Tom Hanks' best voice work is arguably in the "Toy Story" franchise, which began in 1995. The family favorite led to a multitude of spin-offs, including two additional films, the most recent in 2010.
"Saving Private Ryan" Starring alongside Matt Damon, Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore in this World War II epic "Saving Private Ryan," Hanks joined director and producer Steven Spielberg in this highly praised war film. The intense thriller was the highest-grossing film of 1998 and earned 11 Academy Award nominations.
"Cast Away" In perhaps one of his best movies, Tom Hanks role in "Cast Away" led to yet another Academy Award as Best Actor in 2000. Portraying a crash survivor stranded alone on a deserted island, the film is believed to have inspired the hit television show "Lost."
"Charlie Wilson's War" The 2007 drama film "Charlie Wilson's War" not only starred Tom Hanks as a U.S. Congressman but was produced by the Hollywood royalty as well. Featuring Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman, the movie easily comes in as one of the best Tom Hanks movies of all time.