Tom Hanks has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment through his exceptional talent and contributions to film and television. From award-winning movies such as Forrest Gump which was nothing short of a stellar performance to classics like The Terminal.
Luckily, all these movies are available to stream on Netflix. Below, we’ve compiled the best Tom Hanks movies on Netflix. Let’s dive in!
1. Forrest Gump
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 1994 |
| Genre | Comedy drama |
| Director | Robert Zemeckis |
| Accolades | Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards for Best Picture. Also bagged Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. |
One of the best Tom Hanks movies on Netflix is his portrayal of the life story of Forrest Gump, who faces various challenges throughout his life but remains optimistic and pursues his dreams. Despite having braces on his legs, a below-average IQ, and experiencing adversity, Gump turns setbacks into opportunities. His ability to run fast leads to accomplishments like getting a football scholarship, saving soldiers in war, and gaining fame. However, winning the heart of his lifelong friend Jenny Curran proves to be a more challenging endeavor.
2. The Terminal
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Genre | Comedy drama |
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
The Terminal follows the story of Viktor Navorski, an Eastern European man who is stuck in New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport terminal when he is denied entry to the United States and at the same time is unable to return to his native country because of a military coup.
3. Angels & Demons
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 |
| Genre | Action mystery thriller |
| Director | Ron Howard |
In the 2009 movie Angels & Demons, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Professor Robert Langdon is summoned to the Vatican to help solve a mystery involving the Illuminati, an ancient secret society that has resurfaced to seek revenge against the Catholic Church. This best Tom Hanks movie on Netflix revolves around the theft of a vial of antimatter from CERN, the kidnapping of four cardinals, and the threat of an explosion that could destroy the Vatican. Langdon and Dr. Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, race against time to decipher clues and locate the missing antimatter before it’s too late.
4. Captain Phillips
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2013 |
| Genre | American biographical action-thriller |
| Director | Paul Greengrass |
The movie is based on the 2009 hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. The plot revolves around the eponymous Captain Richard Phillips, an American merchant mariner, who is taken hostage by the pirates. The movie depicts the dangerous voyage of the MV Maersk Alabama across the seas surrounding the Horn of Africa and the dangers that the ship and crew face while under attack and captivity by the pirates, making it one of the best Tom Hanks movies on Netflix.
5. A Man called Otto
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| Director | Marc Foster |
It is a remake of the 2015 Swedish film “A Man Called Ove,” based on the 2012 novel by Fredrik Backman. The story revolves around Otto Anderson, a 63-year-old widower in suburban Pittsburgh, who, following his wife’s death, becomes a cynical recluse planning to end his life. However, his suicide plans are disrupted when new neighbors, including a pregnant woman and her family, attempt to befriend him.
6. The Money Pit
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 1986 |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Director | Richard Benjamin |
| Cast | Tom Hanks as Walter Fielding, Shelley Long as Anna Crowley, Alexander Godunov as Max Beissart, Maureen Stapleton as Estelle, Joe Mantegna as Art Shirk, Philip Bosco as Curly, Josh Mostel as Jack Schnittman, Yakov Smirnoff as Shatov, and many more. |
The Money Pit – a top Tom Hanks movie on Netflix – is a remake of the 1948 Cary Grant comedy film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. The plot revolves around Walter Fielding and his girlfriend Anna Crowley, who purchase a million-dollar mansion for $200,000. The couple soon discovers that the house is in a state of disrepair and requires extensive renovation. As they begin to fix the house, they encounter a series of problems, including collapsing staircases, electrical fires, and a raccoon living in the dumbwaiter. The repair work continues for a grueling four months, and Walter and Anna realize they need more money to complete the renovations.
7. Dragnet
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
| Genre | Buddy cop comedy |
| Director | Tom Mankiewicz |
The movie pays homage to the classic crime drama “Dragnet,” written by Dan Aykroyd, Tom Mankiewicz, and Alan Zweibel, with a score by Ira Newborn. It follows Sergeant Joe Friday’s nephew, a policeman whose old-fashioned views clash with those of his new, more casual partner, Pep Streebek. Together, they investigate a string of odd thefts, including a pornographic magazine’s entire print run, leading them to Reverend Jonathan Whirley and a cult named P.A.G.A.N. (People Against Goodness and Normalcy).
The investigation uncovers a plot involving stolen chemicals for toxic gas production, masquerading under a milk factory, leading to a climactic raid. The duo’s initial contrasts give way to a budding partnership as they navigate through bizarre rituals, virgin sacrifices, and a moral crusade against the adult entertainment industry, all while dealing with internal police politics.
8. The Post
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
| Genre | Semi-fiction historical political thriller |
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
9. Saving Private Ryan
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 1998 |
| Genre | Epic war |
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
The movie is set in 1944 in France during World War II and follows a group of soldiers as they navigate through the war-torn country to complete their mission. The film is known for its graphic portrayal of combat and is considered one of the greatest films ever made, thus making it one of the best Tom Hanks movies on Netflix.
10. Cast Away
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2000 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Director | Robert Zemeckis |
Chuck is the only survivor of the plane crash and is stranded on the island with no means of communication or rescue. He must learn to survive on the island with limited resources and no human contact. Chuck’s only companion on the island is a volleyball named Wilson, which he befriends and talks to as if it were a person.
After four years on the island, Chuck is finally rescued and returns home to find that his life has changed dramatically. He struggles to adjust to life back in civilization and is haunted by his experiences on the island. The film ends with Chuck delivering a package to its intended recipient, a woman named Bettina Peterson, who lives on a remote ranch in Texas. Chuck is shown standing at the crossroads of her driveway, unsure of which direction to take.
11. Sully
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
| Genre | Biographical drama |
| Director | Clint Eastwood |
The movie stars Tom Hanks as Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, a pilot who becomes a national hero after successfully landing a damaged plane on the Hudson River in New York City, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew on board. The film is based on the autobiography “Highest Duty” by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.
The movie begins with Sully and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles boarding US Airways Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the plane strikes a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. With no other options, Sully decides to land the plane on the Hudson River. The landing is successful, and all passengers and crew are rescued.
Conclusion: Watch The Best Tom Hanks Movies on Netflix
In conclusion, Tom Hanks’ remarkable range as an actor is well-represented in the diverse selection of his movies available on Netflix. From heartwarming dramas to gripping thrillers, his performances never fail to captivate and resonate with audiences. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, each film showcases the versatility and depth of one of Hollywood’s most enduring talents.
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