The Four Films Tom Hanks Calls His Absolute Favorites

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Tom Hanks first became popular in the early 1980s, quickly becoming a familiar face in movies thanks to his natural charm. He truly broke through with the 1988 film Big, which earned him his first Oscar nomination.

Just a few years later, he cemented his place in film history by winning consecutive Oscars for his roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, establishing himself as one of the most admired actors of all time. Throughout his career, Hanks has worked with many top directors, including Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis.

He’s known for his ability to fully embody diverse characters, gaining fans across generations. Recently, he shared his picks for the four greatest movies of all time with the Letterboxd community, giving insight into the films that have influenced him.

Tom Hanks says his all-time favorite movie is Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. He watches it several times a year and knows it so well he could provide commentary throughout the entire film without pausing. He believes it’s a landmark achievement in visual storytelling and explores deep philosophical ideas.

His second pick is a different kind of film: the 1946 historical drama The Best Years of Our Lives. The movie tells the story of veterans returning home after World War II. Hanks, known for his role in Saving Private Ryan, considers it the most powerful film about WWII from the perspective of those who lived through it, highlighting its emotional impact and realistic depiction of the time.

For his third selection, Tom Hanks chose the Beatles’ 1964 film, A Hard Day’s Night. He remembers seeing it as a child at age eight and being immediately struck by the band’s lively energy and funny personalities. He explained that watching them be so new and hilarious while playing some of the best music ever made made the film a lasting favorite. Completing his list is the 1969 drama Midnight Cowboy, starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. Hanks described the movie as deeply rooted in its time, but dealing with timeless themes of ambition and the power of unexpected friendships. He feels the film features two outstanding performances that continue to influence aspiring dramatic actors.

Tom Hanks continues to be incredibly busy, with several exciting projects released and planned. This year, he starred in the visually impressive drama Here, directed by Robert Zemeckis, which used special effects to show a single room’s history over millennia. He also appeared in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, a popular streaming film with a star-studded cast including Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch. And fans won’t have to wait long for his return as Woody in Toy Story 5, slated for release later this year.

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2026-02-23 20:44