Tom Hanks Thinks Four Of His Films Are “Pretty Good”, Can You Guess Which Ones They Are?
Tom Hanks is possibly one of the most beloved Hollywood actors – for good reason. He has been credited in over 90 films and television series, many of which have earned him major awards and nominations. With so many true classics in his filmography spanning across multiple decades, it feels nearly impossible to rank his work. Keep reading to delve into some of his most iconic performances.
Tom Hanks Thinks Four Of His Movies Were "Pretty Good"
In an interview with People magazine, Tom Hanks commented on his own filmography, saying, "No one knows how a movie is made — though everyone thinks they do. I've made a ton of movies (and four of them are pretty good, I think)."
He continued by adding that even after making so many movies, he's still amazed to see how a movie comes together from start to finish.
He Has Three Movies That Were His Favorite To Make
Hanks didn't clarify which of his four movies he thought were "pretty good," but he does have three that were his favorite to make, according to an interview for The Bill Simmons Podcast.
He noted that they aren't the post popular or successful films, but were the ones that he had the best experience making.
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
Sleepless in Seattle stars Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin, a recent widower whose young son calls into a radio talk show to find a wife for Sam.
This movie was the first in a long line of films that showcase Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's electric onscreen chemistry.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
This epic WWII film follows a group of American soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), as they embark on a mission to locate and bring back Private James Francis Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in action.
The movie is renowned for its gripping storytelling and realistic portrayal of combat.
The Toy Story Franchise (1995, 1999, 2010, 2019)
Disney's Toy Story movies revolve around a group of toys that come to life when humans aren't around.
Tom Hanks is the voice of the beloved protagonist Woody. He wins audiences' hearts with each new movie in the franchise.
Captain Phillips (2013)
The critically acclaimed Captain Phillips tells the true story of the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking.
In another intense but fantastic performance, Tom Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, whose ship was taken hostage by Somali pirates.
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Cloud Atlas is an epic science fiction film that spans five centuries. The main actors (Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Jim Broadbent) take on several different roles throughout the film, which explores how an individual's actions can impact others.
This is definitely a move you'll need to watch more than once just to take it all in.
Turner And Hooch (1989)
If you love Tom Hanks and you love dogs, then there's nothing better than Turner And Hooch. Hanks plays Scott Turner, a by-the-books detective whose sidekick is a junkyard dog.
The film is so beloved that it went on to be adapted into a TV series in 2021.
The Post (2017)
In The Post, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, is a semi-fictionalized telling of the events surrounding The Washington Post and the publication of the Pentagon Papers.
The movie showcases the stellar performances of Streep and Hanks, and garnered several Academy Awards nominations.
A League Of Their Own (1992)
With an all-star cast consisting of Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell, A League of Their Own tells the real-life story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
This hilarious and heartwarming film has become a cult classic and was even adapted into a TV series in 2022.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
This crime thriller is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., (played by Leonardo Dicaprio) who became the most successful bank robber in history before the age of 18.
Tom Hanks plays FBI agent Carl Hanratty, the man who is determined to bring Abagnale to justice. Dicaprio and Hanks' performances are part of what makes Catch Me If You Can such a memorable film.
Apollo 13 (1995)
Tom Hanks gives one of his most incredible and emotional performances as astronaut Jim Lovell in this telling of the real-life Apollo 13 lunar mission.
The film is loved by critics and fans alike for its accuracy and amazing acting performances.
Splash (1984)
Splash is a romance movie about a human and a mermaid who fall in love. The movie has a stacked cast, including Tom Hanks, Darryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy.
What more could you want from a classic 1980s flick?
You've Got Mail (1998)
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have notoriously great chemistry, and You've Got Mail is the perfect example.
This late 90s rom-com tells a love story that starts as an anonymous Internet romance between Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) and Joe Fox (Hanks).
The Green Mile (1999)
The Green Mile, Tom Hanks plays a death row correctional officer who crosses paths with convict John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), who appears to possess a supernatural gift.
The film was nominated for several Academy Awards and has become one of Hanks' most notable performances.
The Money Pit (1986)
If you love old-school Tom Hanks, this is the movie for you. Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play a young couple, Walter and Anna, who buy their dream country estate for a suspiciously low price and soon find out why it was so cheap.
The couple tries to fix up the house – and their relationship – while chaos ensues.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Despite receiving poor critical reviews, The Da Vinci Code is definitely a fan favorite. In fact, the film is still one of Hanks' top-grossing movies to date.
The movie revolves around a murder in the Louvre Museum, and the cryptic clues left in famous Da Vinci works that lead to the truth about a religious mystery and a secret society.
Big (1988)
In Big, a 12-year-old Joe Maskin (David Moscow) makes a wish and turns into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). Maskin navigates the reality of grown-up life while working for a toy company.
This classic Hanks movie is a great movie night pick that the whole family can enjoy!
Philadelphia (1993)
In Philadelphia, Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, an AIDS patient who sues his workplace for discrimination after he's fired for having the illness.
Denzel Washington plays Joe Miller, the only lawyer who is willing to help Beckett. The two actors give astounding performances, and Hanks even won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019)
Tom Hanks is known for his kind-hearted nature, which made him the perfect person to play Mr. Rogers in this biographical drama.
The movie is full of childhood nostalgia and fantastic performances. It even earned Hanks an Academy Award nomination for best actor.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump won over the hearts of audiences in 1994, and continues to be recognized as a true classic.
The film often lands a top spot in lists of the greatest movies of all time, and a large part of what makes it so iconic is Tom Hanks' heart-wrenching performance.
Cast Away (2000)
Cast Away tells the powerful story of Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks), who struggles to survive while stranded on a deserted island.
Tom Hanks' incredible performance is a large part of what makes this movie so excellent, especially considering he is the only on-screen character for so much of the movie.
Which Films Does Tom Hanks Think Are His Best?
According to his Bill Simmons interview, Tom Hanks has three movies that were his absolute favorite to make. The movies he chose are A League of Their Own, Cast Away, and Cloud Atlas.
Are you surprised by his choices?
Filming A League Of Their Own Made Him Feel Like A Kid Again
Hanks told Simmons that making A League of Their Own felt like being a kid again. During the production, he lived in a house in the middle of cornfields with his family, and he spent the whole summer playing baseball and eating great food.
Hanks says his family still remembers that time with great fondness.
The Making Of Cast Away Was Full Of Adventure
Hanks explained on the podcast that he loved filming Cast Away, which was another production where his whole family was able to accompany him. They even took two trips to Fiji.
Hanks remembers having bold adventures every day during the making of the movie.
Hanks Loved Working With The Ensemble Cast Of Cloud Atlas
During the podcast interview, Hanks' final choice for the film he loved making the most was Cloud Atlas. The film was shot in Germany, and Hanks noted that he enjoyed being surrounded by so much history.
Hanks explained that the ensemble cast of Cloud Atlas was full of fantastic, hard-working people who defined his experience.
