Tom Hanks' 7 Most Iconic Roles That Define His Career

Tom Hanks is a legend. He’s made a name for himself throughout his many roles. And of course, some roles are more memorable than others. So which are considered the best Tom Hanks movies that feature these amazing characters? We’ve found seven of Hanks’ most memorable roles, from Forrest Gump to Woody.

7. You’ve Got Mail, Hulu (1998)

You've Got Mail Warner Bro — Credit: Warner Bro

Starring Meg Ryan alongside Tom Hanks, You’ve Got Mail is one of the best Tom Hanks movies out there. The 1998 romantic comedy tells the story of two people in an online romance who are unaware they are also business rivals. Tom Hanks plays Joe Fox, a book superstore magnate, and is one of his most memorable roles.

6. Cast Away, Hulu (2000)

Cast Away 20th Century Fox — Credit: 20th Century Fox

Next on the list of best Tom Hanks movies is Cast Away, a 2000 survival drama film starring Hanks, Helen Hunt, and Nick Searcy. Hank plays as a FedEx troubleshooter stranded on a desert island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. The story focuses on his desperate attempts to survive and return home, giving viewers an intense emotional journey.

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5. Apollo 13, Netflix (1995)

Apollo 13 Universal Pictures — Credit: Universal Pictures

Tom Hanks has an amazing acting range, and it shows with Apollo 13, the 1995 docudrama film starring Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan. The story dramatizes the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission and the strategy it took to bring the spacecraft safely back home.

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4. Saving Private Ryan, Paramount (1998)

Saving Private Ryan Dreamworks Pictures — Credit: Dreamworks Pictures

One of the best Tom Hanks movies by far is Saving Private Ryan. His role as Captain Miller is still beloved and talked about today. The epic war film starring him and Matt Damon is set in 1944 Normandy during World War II. The movie follows Captain Miller and his mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan and bring him home safely after his three brothers are killed in action.

3. Forrest Gump, Paramount (1994)

Forrest Gump Paramount Pictures — Credit: Paramount Pictures

The next few entries are iconic Tom Hanks roles that everyone has heard of. When thinking about Hanks’ amazing legacy in film, these characters are always brought up. Forrest Gump is easily one of the best Tom Hanks movies and one of his most recognizable roles. The 1994 comedy-drama film stars Hanks as the titular character, an Alabama man with an IQ of 75 and his experiences in the 20th-century United States.

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2. A League of Their Own, Prime Video (1992)

A League of Their Own Columbia Pictures — Credit: Columbia Pictures

From war dramas to sports comedy dramas, Tom Hanks has played several roles. One of the best Tom Hanks movies is A League of Their Own, a 1992 movie that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Hanks plays Jimmy Dugan, a former player who turns into their team manager and is also a drunk.

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1. Toy Story, Disney Plus (1995)

Toy Story Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios — Credit: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios

Toy Story is one of the biggest animated franchises. The adventure comedy is set in a world where toys come to life once humans are not present, and have so many iconic characters. Woody is one of them, who is played by Hanks.

Woody is an old-fashioned pull-string cowboy doll who has a great relationship with his owner Andy. But when a certain space cadet action figure starts to get prioritized, Woody starts to feel jealous. Toy Story is not only one of the greatest Pixar movies but is one of the best Tom Hanks movies as well.