TAGGED AS: Drama , movies (Photo by Fox/ courtesy Everett Collection) The latest: Tom Hanks reprises his iconic voice role Woody in Toy Story 5 , which notched the biggest opening weekend of 2026 . After making a literal Splash for his leading movie-star debut, nice guy Tom Hanks would become the king of yuppie ’80s slapstick, starring in classics like Big and fan favorites such as Joe Versus the Volcano , The ‘Burbs , and The Money Pit . Tuned-in audiences up to that point knew him primarily from the two-season ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies , and just as Hanks’ obvious talent couldn’t be contained to television, it was likewise apparent he wouldn’t always be stuck doing “just” comedies. 1992’s A League of Their Own established Hanks as an ally for women and sports, and set up a grand slam in 1993. Sleepless in Seattle fashioned Hanks and Meg Ryan as a rom-com dream team, while Philadelphia represented his first foray into drama, leading straight into a Best Actor Oscar win. More importantly, it gave a harrowing, human face to the AIDS epidemic that American society at large had struggled – or refused – to fully comprehend at that point; during his Oscar acceptance speech, he referenced mentors and peers who were gay and who had influenced his life. The following year, Hanks picked up a consecutive Best Actor Oscar for boomer nostalgia blockbuster Forrest Gump , which would also take Best Picture. With his career in official sky’s-the-limit mode, Hanks went exactly there, blasting off into space for Apollo 13 in 1995. That same year, he voiced Woody in the groundbreaking Toy Story , a role he has returned to over the decades and into the present. Saving Private Ryan in 1998 marked the first time Hanks would work with Steven Spielberg, a fruitful creative partnership that has produced an abundance of critically acclaimed films, including Catch Me If You Can , Bridge of Spies , and The Post . Also, The Terminal . See how Hanks’ movies have ranked over the years below. Critics Consensus: The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages. Starring: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Joan Cusack , Kelsey Grammer Directed By: Ash Brannon , John Lasseter , Lee Unkrich , Sarah McArthur Critics Consensus: Entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story reinvigorated animation while heralding the arrival of Pixar as a family-friendly force to be reckoned with. Starring: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Don Rickles , Jim Varney Directed By: John Lasseter , Ed Catmull , Steve Jobs Critics Consensus: Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works. Starring: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Joan Cusack , Ned Beatty Directed By: Lee Unkrich , John Lasseter Critics Consensus: Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy. Starring: Tom Hanks , Elizabeth Perkins , Robert Loggia , John Heard Directed By: Penny Marshall Critics Consensus: Heartwarming, funny, and beautifully animated, Toy Story 4 manages the unlikely feat of extending — and perhaps concluding — a practically perfect animated saga. Starring: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Annie Potts , Tony Hale Directed By: Josh Cooley , Andrew Stanton , Lee Unkrich , Pete Docter Critics Consensus: With help from a strong performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life wunderkind con artist Frank Abagnale, Steven Spielberg crafts a film that’s stylish, breezily entertaining, and surprisingly sweet. Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio , Tom Hanks , Christopher Walken , Martin Sheen Directed By: Steven Spielberg , Barry Kemp , Laurie MacDonald , Michel Shane Critics Consensus: Much like the beloved TV personality that inspired it, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood offers a powerfully affecting message about acceptance and understanding. Starring: Tom Hanks , Matthew Rhys , Susan Kelechi Watson , Chris Cooper Directed By: Marielle Heller , Bergen Swanson , Noah Harpster , Micah Fitzerman-Blue Critics Consensus: Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg’s unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre. Starring: Tom Hanks , Edward Burns , Tom Sizemore , Jeremy Davies Directed By: Steven Spielberg Critics Consensus: Smart, powerfully acted, and incredibly intense, Captain Phillips offers filmgoers a Hollywood biopic done right — and offers Tom Hanks a showcase for yet another brilliant performance. Starring: Tom Hanks , Catherine Keener , Barkhad Abdi , Barkhad Abdirahman Directed By: Paul Greengrass , Gregory Goodman , Eli Bush , Kevin Spacey Critics Consensus: Proving that old toys can learn new tricks while reckoning with an era of endless screen time, Toy Story 5 largely sidesteps franchise fatigue by reaffirming that children everywhere still got a friend in these lovable characters. Starring: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Joan Cusack , Tony Hale Directed By: Andrew Stanton , Pete Docter , Jonas Rivera Critics Consensus: A light, sweet, and thoroughly entertaining debut for director Tom Hanks, That Thing You Do! makes up in charm what it lacks in complexity. Starring: Tom Everett Scott , Liv Tyler , Johnathon Schaech , Steve Zahn Directed By: Tom Hanks Critics Consensus: In recreating the troubled space mission, Apollo 13 pulls no punches: it’s a masterfully told drama from director Ron Howard, bolstered by an ensemble of solid performances. Starring: Tom Hanks , Bill Paxton , Kevin Bacon , Gary Sinise Directed By: Ron Howard , Todd Hallowell Critics Consensus: Bridge of Spies finds new life in Hollywood’s classic Cold War espionage thriller formula, thanks to reliably outstanding work from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Starring: Tom Hanks , Mark Rylance , Alan Alda , Amy Ryan Directed By: Steven Spielberg , Adam Somner , Daniel Lupi , Jeff Skoll Critics Consensus: The Post ‘s period setting belies its bitingly timely themes, brought compellingly to life by director Steven Spielberg and an outstanding ensemble cast. Starring: Meryl Streep , Tom Hanks , Bruce Greenwood , Matthew Rhys Directed By: Steven Spielberg , Tom Karnowski , Josh Singer , Adam Somner Critics Consensus: News of the World takes a slow but absorbing ride down a comfortingly familiar Western trail, guided by Tom Hanks in peak paternal mode. Starring: Tom Hanks , Helena Zengel , Mare Winningham , Michael Angelo Covino Directed By: Paul Greengrass , Steven Shareshian , Tore Schmidt Critics Consensus: Flawed but fascinating, Cast Away offers an intelligent script, some of Robert Zemeckis’ most mature directing, and a showcase performance from Tom Hanks. Starring: Tom Hanks , Helen Hunt , Nick Searcy , Lari White Directed By: Robert Zemeckis , Joan Bradshaw Critics Consensus: As comfortingly workmanlike as its protagonist, Sully makes solid use of typically superlative work from its star and director to deliver a quietly stirring tribute to an everyday hero. Starring: Tom Hanks , Aaron Eckhart , Valerie Mahaffey , Delphi Harrington Directed By: Clint Eastwood , Steven Mnuchin , Kipp Nelson , Bruce Berman Critics Consensus: Somber, stately, and beautifully mounted, Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition is a well-crafted mob movie that explores the ties between fathers and sons. Starring: Tom Hanks , Paul Newman , Jude Law , Jennifer Jason Leigh Directed By: Sam Mendes , Walter F. Parkes , Joan Bradshaw Critics Consensus: Charlie Wilson’s War manages to entertain and inform audiences, thanks to its witty script and talented cast of power players. Starring: Tom Hanks , Julia Roberts , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Amy Adams Directed By: Mike Nichols , Celia D. Costas , Jeff Skoll , Ryan Kavanaugh Critics Consensus: Sentimental and light, but still thoroughly charming, A League of Their Own is buoyed by solid performances from a wonderful cast. Starring: Tom Hanks , Geena Davis , Madonna , Lori Petty Directed By: Penny Marshall , Penny Marshall Critics Consensus: Philadelphia indulges in some unfortunate clichés in its quest to impart a meaningful message, but its stellar cast and sensitive direction are more than enough to compensate. Starring: Tom Hanks , Denzel Washington , Jason Robards , Antonio Banderas Directed By: Jonathan Demme , Ronald M. Bozman , Gary Goetzman , Kenneth Utt Critics Consensus: Aggressively likable and sentimental to a fault, Saving Mr. Banks pays tribute to the Disney legacy with excellent performances and sweet, high-spirited charm. Starring: Emma Thompson , Tom Hanks , Paul Giamatti , Jason Schwartzman Directed By: John Lee Hancock , Paul Trijbits , Andrew Mason , Christine Langan Critics Consensus: Greyhound ‘s characters aren’t as robust as its action sequences, but this fast-paced World War II thriller benefits from its efficiently economical approach. Starring: Tom Hanks , Stephen Graham , Elisabeth Shue , Rob Morgan Directed By: Aaron Schneider , Jason Cloth , David Coatsworth , Aaron L. Gilbert Critics Consensus: Though The Green Mile is long, critics say it’s an absorbing, emotionally powerful experience. Starring: Tom Hanks , David Morse , Michael Clarke Duncan , Bonnie Hunt Directed By: Frank Darabont Critics Consensus: The standard rock biopic formula gets all shook up in Elvis , with Baz Luhrmann’s dazzling energy and style perfectly complemented by Austin Butler’s outstanding lead performance. Starring: Austin Butler , Tom Hanks , Helen Thomson , Richard Roxburgh Directed By: Baz Luhrmann , Courtenay Valenti , Kevin McCormick Critics Consensus: A caper made with all the intricacy of a Rube Goldberg machine, The Phoenician Scheme doesn’t deviate from Wes Anderson’s increasingly ornate style but delivers the formula with mannered delicacy. Starring: Benicio del Toro , Mia Threapleton , Michael Cera , Riz Ahmed Directed By: Wes Anderson Critics Consensus: Asteroid City is unlikely to win Wes Anderson many new converts, but those who respond to his signature style will find this a return to immaculately arranged form. Starring: Jason Schwartzman , Scarlett Johansson , Tom Hanks , Jeffrey Wright Directed By: Wes Anderson Critics Consensus: Sleepless in Seattle is a cute classic with a very light touch and real chemistry between the two leads — even when spending an entire movie apart. Starring: Tom Hanks , Meg Ryan , Bill Pullman , Ross Malinger Directed By: Nora Ephron , Patrick Crowley , Lynda Obst Critics Consensus: Tom Hanks’ rigorously earnest performance keeps Forrest Gump sincere even when it gets glib with American history, making for a whimsical odyssey of debatable wisdom but undeniable heart.

Starring: Tom Hanks , Robin Wright , Gary Sinise , Mykelti Williamson Directed By: Robert Zemeckis Critics Consensus: Bold, funny, and overall entertaining, Freaky Tales is a vibrantly well-acted period piece that makes up in style what it lacks in narrative substance. Starring: Pedro Pascal , Ben Mendelsohn , Jay Ellis , Normani Directed By: Ryan Fleck , Anna Boden , Too $hort , Jillian Share Critics Consensus: Check all cynicism at the door and allow A Man Called Otto to tug at your heartstrings with its tried-and-true tune — it just might sing. Starring: Tom Hanks , Mack Bayda , Mariana Treviño , Rachel Keller Directed By: Marc Forster , Marc Forster , Renée Wolfe , Louise Rosner Critics Consensus: A Hologram for the King amiably ambles through a narrative desert, saved by an oasis of a performance from the ever-dependable Tom Hanks. Starring: Tom Hanks , Omar Elba , Sarita Choudhury , Sidse Babett Knudsen Directed By: Tom Tykwer , Steven Shareshian , Gastón Pavlovich , Claudia Bluemhuber Critics Consensus: By turns fluffy and biting, this show biz comedy is given girth by comic heavyweight John Malkovich and made all the more charming by Emily Blunt. Starring: John Malkovich , Colin Hanks , Emily Blunt , Steve Zahn Directed By: Sean McGinly , Steven Shareshian , Marvin V. Acuna Critics Consensus: Great chemistry between the leads made this a warm and charming delight. Starring: Tom Hanks , Meg Ryan , Parker Posey , Greg Kinnear Directed By: Nora Ephron , G. Mac Brown , Julie Durk , Delia Ephron Starring: Tom Hanks , John Candy , Rita Wilson , Tim Thomerson Directed By: Nicholas Meyer Critics Consensus: Its sprawling, ambitious blend of thought-provoking narrative and eye-catching visuals will prove too unwieldy for some, but the sheer size and scope of Cloud Atlas are all but impossible to ignore. Starring: Tom Hanks , Halle Berry , Jim Broadbent , Hugo Weaving Directed By: Lana Wachowski , Lilly Wachowski , Tom Tykwer , Philip Lee Critics Consensus: Joe Versus the Volcano erupts with plenty of screwball energy and thoughtful observations about living to the fullest, but its existential ambition may prove too goofy for some audiences. Starring: Tom Hanks , Meg Ryan , Lloyd Bridges , Robert Stack Directed By: John Patrick Shanley , Kathleen Kennedy , Frank Marshall , Steven Spielberg Critics Consensus: The Terminal transcends its flaws through the sheer virtue of its crowd-pleasing message and a typically solid star turn from Tom Hanks. Starring: Tom Hanks , Catherine Zeta-Jones , Stanley Tucci , Chi McBride Directed By: Steven Spielberg , Andrew Niccol , Patricia Whitcher , Jason Hoffs Starring: Tom Hanks , Jackie Gleason , Eva Marie Saint , Héctor Elizondo Directed By: Garry Marshall , Roger M. Rothstein Critics Consensus: The ‘Burbs has an engaging premise, likable cast, and Joe Dante at the helm — so the mixed-up genre exercise they produce can’t help but feel like a disappointment. Starring: Tom Hanks , Bruce Dern , Carrie Fisher , Rick Ducommun Directed By: Joe Dante Starring: Sally Field , Tom Hanks , John Goodman , Mark Rydell Directed By: David Seltzer Critics Consensus: Though the movie is visually stunning overall, the animation for the human characters isn’t lifelike enough, and the story is padded. Starring: Tom Hanks , Michael Jeter , Nona Gaye , Peter Scolari Directed By: Robert Zemeckis , Tom Hanks , Jack Rapke Critics Consensus: Hanks’ performance in the lead role is inspired, but this is a relatively minor offering from the Coen brothers. Starring: Tom Hanks , Irma P. Hall , Marlon Wayans , J.K. Simmons Directed By: Joel Coen Starring: Tom Hanks , Tawny Kitaen , Adrian Zmed , George Grizzard Directed By: Neal Israel , Sharad Patel , Joe Roth Starring: Tom Hanks , Shelley Long , Alexander Godunov , Maureen Stapleton Directed By: Richard Benjamin , Steven Spielberg Critics Consensus: Tom Hanks makes Turner and Hooch more entertaining than it might look on paper, but ultimately, this is still a deeply silly comedy about a cop and a canine. Starring: Tom Hanks , Mare Winningham , Craig T. Nelson , Reginald VelJohnson Directed By: Roger Spottiswoode , Daniel Petrie Jr. Critics Consensus: While it’s sporadically funny and certainly well-cast, Dragnet is too clumsy and inconsistent to honor its classic source material. Starring: Dan Aykroyd , Tom Hanks , Christopher Plummer , Harry Morgan Directed By: Tom Mankiewicz , Bernie Brillstein Starring: Tom Hanks , Dabney Coleman , Lori Singer , Charles Durning Directed By: Stan Dragoti Critics Consensus: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close has a story worth telling, but it deserves better than the treacly and pretentious treatment director Stephen Daldry gives it. Starring: Tom Hanks , Sandra Bullock , Thomas Horn , Zoe Caldwell Directed By: Stephen Daldry , Celia D. Costas , Mark Roybal , Nora Skinner Critics Consensus: Angels and Demons is a fast-paced thrill ride, and an improvement on the last Dan Brown adaptation, but the storyline too often wavers between implausible and ridiculous, and does not translate effectively to the big screen. Starring: Tom Hanks , Ewan McGregor , Ayelet Zurer , Armin Mueller-Stahl Directed By: Ron Howard , Todd Hallowell , Dan Brown Critics Consensus: Despite the relaxed, easy chemistry of stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, Larry Crowne is surprisingly bland and conventional. Starring: Tom Hanks , Julia Roberts , Bryan Cranston , Cedric the Entertainer Directed By: Tom Hanks , Steven Shareshian , Jeb Brody , Fabrice Gianfermi Critics Consensus: While it’s heartening to see director Robert Zemeckis return to humanistic storytelling, Here ‘s stagey conceit and overabundance of spectacle rob it of emotional resonance. Starring: Tom Hanks , Robin Wright , Paul Bettany , Kelly Reilly Directed By: Robert Zemeckis , Jeremy Johns , Andrew Golov , Thom Zadra Critics Consensus: Visually dazzling but soulless, the largely inert Pinocchio reaffirms that you should always let your conscience be your guide… away from unnecessary remakes. Starring: Tom Hanks , Benjamin Evan Ainsworth , Cynthia Erivo , Joseph Gordon-Levitt Directed By: Robert Zemeckis , Jacqueline Levine , Jack Rapke , Alexandra Derbyshire Critics Consensus: What makes Dan Brown’s novel a best seller is evidently not present in this dull and bloated movie adaptation of The Da Vinci Code . Starring: Tom Hanks , Audrey Tautou , Ian McKellen , Alfred Molina Directed By: Ron Howard , Dan Brown , Todd Hallowell Starring: Sam Shepard , Hamish Linklater , Alex Neustaedter , Jack Quaid Directed By: Meg Ryan , Jason Cloth , Aaron L. Gilbert , Gary Goetzman Critics Consensus: Senselessly frantic and altogether shallow, Inferno sends the Robert Langdon trilogy spiraling to a convoluted new low. Starring: Tom Hanks , Felicity Jones , Omar Sy , Irrfan Khan Directed By: Ron Howard , David B. Householter , Dan Brown , William M. Connor Critics Consensus: The Circle assembles an impressive cast, but this digitally driven thriller spins aimlessly in its half-hearted exploration of timely themes. Starring: Emma Watson , Tom Hanks , John Boyega , Karen Gillan Directed By: James Ponsoldt , Stefanie Azpiazu , Ron Schmidt , Sally Willcox Critics Consensus: The Bonfire of the Vanities is a vapid adaptation of a thoughtful book, fatally miscast and shorn of the source material’s crucial sense of irony. Add it to the pyre of Hollywood’s ambitious failures. 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