One of Hollywood’s most universally beloved and respected faces, Tom Hanks has carved out a niche for himself as a cinematic cultural icon. A prolific performer who can play dramatic roles as well as he does comedy, Hanks’ best movies number among the most acclaimed and influential films ever made. The actor is particularly known for his performances in some of the greatest war movies of all time, turning in memorable bows in the likes of Saving Private Ryan, Greyhound, and Bridge of Spies.
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However, while Hanks’ work in the war genre accounts for many of his most lauded roles, the multiple-time Academy Award winner has appeared in a number of top-tier movies that do not involve war-related aspects in any shape or form. Indeed, since debuting all the way back in 1980 with the psychological horror slasher He Knows You’re Alone, many of the actor’s most famous performances have taken place in films that have absolutely nothing to do with war, highlighting his remarkable range and versatility in sharp relief.
You are watching: 10 Best Tom Hanks Movies That Aren’t About War
10
Sully (2016)
Directed By Clint Eastwood
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Sully
PG-13
Biography
Drama
Release Date
September 9, 2016
Runtime
96 Minutes
Director
Clint Eastwood
Writers
Todd Komarnicki, Chesley Sullenberger, Jeffrey Zaslow
Cast
See All
-
Tom Hanks
-
Aaron Eckhart
-
Laura Linney
-
Valerie Mahaffey
Sully is a 2016 biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. The movie is based on the true story of the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549, in which Sullenberger successfully landed the plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers and crew members on board.
Main Genre
Biography
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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Casting the actor in the eponymous role of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, Clint Eastwood’s Sully serves as one of Hanks’ most underappreciated movies. The film centers around the emergency landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a flock of birds damaged the aircraft’s engines. This real-life event would later become known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” after all 155 crew and passengers remarkably survived their brush with death.
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Taking a deep dive into the publicity and litigation minefields that followed the crash, Sully received glowing reviews from critics, who lauded Hanks’ assured screen presence in the leading role and Eastwood’s polished style of direction. Earning an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Sully remains a first-rate exhibition of the everyman dramatic style that has helped turn Hanks into a film icon.
9
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Directed By Steven Spielberg
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Catch Me If You Can
PG-13
Crime
Drama
Biography
19
7.8/10
Release Date
December 25, 2002
Runtime
141 Minutes
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writers
Frank Abagnale Jr., Stan Redding, Jeff Nathanson
Cast
-
Leonardo DiCaprio
-
Tom Hanks
Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 biographical crime film directed by Steven Spielberg. It’s based on the true story of real-life con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., who successfully impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the lead role and Tom Hanks co-stars as FBI Agent Carl Hanratty.
Main Genre
Crime
Studio(s)
DreamWorks Distribution
Distributor(s)
DreamWorks Distribution
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An adaptation of prolific con man Frank Abagnale Junior’s semi-autobiographical book of the same name, 2002’s Catch Me If You Can features Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio at the top of their respective games. Hanks produces a top-tier bow in the role of Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent tasked with catching DiCaprio’s Abagnale after his outrageous schemes build in scope and complexity to such an extent that they draw the attention of the authorities.
…this slick crime-comedy drama is a timeless classic that holds up to this day.
An endlessly watchable showcase of Steven Spielberg’s inimitable style of direction, Catch Me If You Can is contentiously one of the most criminally underrated movies of the 2000s. Arguably the finest movie collaboration between Spielberg and Hanks outside of Saving Private Ryan, this slick crime-comedy drama is an ageless classic that holds up to this day.
8
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Directed By Nora Ephron
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You’ve Got Mail
PG
Romance
Comedy
Drama
8.5/10
Release Date
December 18, 1998
Runtime
119 minutes
Director
Nora Ephron
Writers
Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron
Cast
-
Dave Chappelle
-
Tom Hanks
Directed by Nora Ephron, You’ve Got Mail follows Joe and Kathleen, two strangers who meet in an AOL chatroom and begin a relationship over email, unaware that they are actually a lot more connected to one another than they think. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as Joe and Kathleen, with a further cast that includes Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, and Greg Kinnear.
Studio(s)
Lauren Shuler Donner Productions
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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One of the most universally beloved romantic comedies ever made, You’ve Got Mail is an indispensable entry in Tom Hanks’ filmography. Nora Ephron’s 1998 offering saw the actor step into the shoes of Joe Fox, a bookstore owner who becomes entangled in an online relationship with Meg Ryan’s Kathleen Kelly, blissfully unaware that his new beau is actually one of his business rivals.
|
Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan Film Collaborations |
|---|
|
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) |
|
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) |
|
You’ve Got Mail (1998) |
|
Ithaca (2015) |
A timeless and warm-hearted cinematic experience that lands with audiences from every walk of life, You’ve Got Mail is still widely regarded as one of the best romantic comedies of all time, nearly thirty years after the movie originally debuted. The first-rate chemistry between frequent collaborators Hanks and Ryan is the bedrock upon which the movie’s success is built, with the two performers breathing life into an iconic onscreen romance that has stood the test of time.
7
Big (1988)
Directed By Penny Marshall
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Big
PG
Comedy
Drama
Fantasy
Release Date
June 3, 1988
Runtime
104 Minutes
Cast
See All
-
Tom Hanks
-
Elizabeth Perkins
-
Robert Loggia
-
John Heard
The 1980s classic Big follows the story of Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy whose wish to grow up is granted after being turned away from a carnival ride for his short height. The movie is directed by Penny Marshall, with Tom Hanks in the lead role.
Director
Penny Marshall
Writers
Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg
Main Genre
Comedy
Studio(s)
20th Century
Distributor(s)
20th Century
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Earning Tom Hanks his first Academy Award for Best Actor nomination, Penny Marshall’s Big is one of the actor’s most unashamedly feel-good films. The fantasy comedy drama cast the American as Josh Baskin, a twelve-year-old boy who is mysteriously transformed into a fully grown man overnight. The inexplicable change comes about after Baskin wishes that he was “big” following his rejection from a fairground ride on the basis of his height.
Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, and Matthew Modine are just some of the big-name stars alleged to have turned down the role of Baskin.
Renowned for its iconic Walking Piano scenes, Big’s status as one of Hanks’ most beloved and well received bodies of work is underlined by a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 98%. Critics were effusive in their praise for the actor’s infectiously wide-eyed performance, labeling Hanks as the linchpin of an endlessly charming and upbeat movie that still manages to invoke instances of poignant introspection despite its lighthearted premise.
6
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019)
Directed By Marielle Heller
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A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
PG
Biography
Documentary
5/10
Release Date
November 22, 2019
Runtime
107 Minutes
Cast
See All
-
Tom Hanks
-
Tammy Blanchard
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, originally titled You Are My Friend, is a biopic on Fred Rogers, the iconic host of the beloved TV series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The movie focuses specifically on Mr. Rogers and Lloyd Vogel. Tom Hanks stars as Fred Rogers alongside Matthew Rhys as Lloyd Vogel.
Director
Marielle Heller
Writers
Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Tom Junod
Studio(s)
TriStar Pictures
Distributor(s)
Sony
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One of the actor’s more modern pieces of acclaimed work, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is rarely brought up when it comes to discussing Tom Hanks’ greatest movies. It’s a crying shame, given that the 2019 biographical drama focusing on the true story of legendary television presenter Fred Rogers is one of the actor’s most heartwarming and cheering films in a long and storied career.
Carried by a powerhouse performance from Hanks that earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood received widespread critical acclaim, garnering a sterling Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 95%. An uplifting tale of acceptance, empathy, and inherent good, Marielle Heller’s polished direction complements Hanks’ show-stealing bow to produce one of the most underappreciated biographical entries in recent memory.
5
Philadelphia (1993)
Directed By Jonathan Demme
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Philadelphia
PG-13
Drama
Release Date
January 14, 1994
Runtime
125 Minutes
Cast
See All
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Tom Hanks
-
Denzel Washington
-
Roberta Maxwell
-
Buzz Kilman
Philadelphia (1994) is a legal drama directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a lawyer who is fired due to his HIV-positive status, while Denzel Washington portrays Joe Miller, a personal injury attorney who takes on Beckett’s wrongful dismissal case. The film addresses themes of discrimination, prejudice, and social justice in the context of the early AIDS epidemic.
Director
Jonathan Demme
Writers
Ron Nyswaner
Main Genre
Drama
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Marking a shift towards more dramatic roles, 1993’s Philadelphia is unquestionably one of the foremost entries when it comes to discussing the movies that have defined Tom Hanks’ career. The Captain Phillips star plays Andrew Beckett, an attorney who seeks to sue his former employer after being dismissed due to his homosexuality and an AIDS diagnosis.
|
Tom Hanks’ Academy Award Nominations And Wins |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Big (1988) |
Best Actor |
Nominated |
|
Philadelphia (1993) |
Best Actor |
Won |
|
Forrest Gump (1994) |
Best Actor |
Won |
|
Saving Private Ryan (1998) |
Best Actor |
Nominated |
|
Cast Away (2000) |
Best Actor |
Nominated |
|
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) |
Best Supporting Actor |
Nominated |
A heartbreaking examination of weighty themes that is just as relevant today as it was back in 1993, Philadelphia was one of the first movies to explicitly address its controversial subject matter on the silver screen. Jonathan Demme’s legal drama was highly praised, with Hanks taking home his first Academy Award for Best Actor. Denzel Washington also produces an exemplary performance as personal injury lawyer, Joe Miller, with the two Hollywood titans playing off each other in expert fashion to produce one of the 1990s’ most seminal cinematic offerings.
4
Toy Story (1995)
Directed By John Lasseter
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Toy Story
G
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
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Family
Fantasy
9.4/10
Release Date
November 22, 1995
Runtime
81 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Tom Hanks
-
Don Rickles
Pixar’s first feature film release sees Woody (Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll, confronted by the nightmare of being replaced as his owner Andy’s favorite toy jeopardized when his parents buy him a Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) action figure. Stricken by anxiety, Woody hatches a plan to remain the favorite, kicking off a race against time for the toys to be reunited with their owner before his house move makes them permanently Lost Toys.
Director
John Lasseter
Writers
Joss Whedon, Alec Sokolow, Joel Cohen, Andrew Stanton
Main Genre
Animation
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While the argument is there to be made that every single entry in the beloved Toy Story movie franchise constitutes an incredible Tom Hanks film that doesn’t involve war, 1995’s original installment, Toy Story, remains the golden standard for the long-running animated series. Depicting a world where toys come to life, John Lasseter’s uplifting picture features Hanks in one of his most celebrated roles, providing the voice for the pull-string cowboy, Woody.
A groundbreaking triumph for Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures carried by a glorious score from Randy Newman, Toy Story is universally regarded as a timeless classic and one of the greatest animated films in the history of cinema. A purported kids’ movie that is capable of reducing grown adults to tears, Toy Story bears the lofty distinction of owning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underlining its status as one of Hanks’ finest films.
3
Cast Away (2000)
Directed By Robert Zemeckis
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Cast Away
PG-13
Adventure
Documentary
Drama
9/10
Release Date
December 22, 2000
Runtime
143 minutes
Cast
-
Paul Sanchez
-
Lari White
Directed by Robert Zemeckis in his second collaboration with Tom Hanks, Cast Away tells the story of FedEx executive Chuck Noland, who strives to survive in a deserted island after a plane crash. The film, which mostly takes place in the uninhabited island, earned Hanks a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Writers
William Broyles Jr.
Studio(s)
20th Century
Distributor(s)
20th Century, DreamWorks Distribution
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Depicting a FedEx employee’s desperate fight for survival and rescue after he is stranded on a desert island following a plane crash, Cast Away garnered Hanks his most recent Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The second collaboration between Hanks and Robert Zemeckis in a long and fruitful creative partnership, Cast Away retains status as one of cinema’s greatest movies about loneliness more than two decades after it was originally released.
An authentic “Wilson the Volleyball” prop was allegedly auctioned in 2024 for the eye-watering price of $162,500.
Cast Away is contentiously Hanks’ most impressive body of dramatic work, in the sense that his visceral bow carries the movie solo for around two-thirds of its runtime, unless one happens to count Wilson the Volleyball. Boasting an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Cast Away lands with just as much emotional heft in 2025 as it did when it debuted all the way back in 2000, a state of affairs due in no small part to Hanks’ stirring lead performance.
2
Apollo 13 (1995)
Directed By Ron Howard
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Apollo 13
PG
History
Adventure
Drama
9/10
Release Date
June 30, 1995
Runtime
140 Minutes
Cast
See All
-
Tom Hanks
-
Bill Paxton
Ron Howard directed this iconic Science Fiction film released in 1995. Starring a powerhouse cast of Tom Hanks, Ed Harris, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, and Bill Paxton, the story sees a band of Astronauts attempting to make it back home from a Moon-bound mission when their equipment fails.
Director
Ron Howard
Writers
Jim Lovell, Jeffrey Kluger, William Broyles Jr.
Main Genre
History
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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A white-knuckle ride through outer space based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 stars Hanks as the real-life mission commander, Jim Lovell. Chronicling the remarkable improvisations made to get the crew home after various vital systems suffer critical failure en route to the moon, Howard’s picture is widely regarded as one of cinema’s finest movies based on a true story.
Notable praise was directed towards the movie’s technical effects and Howard’s efforts to cultivate outer-space authenticity, as well as the gripping performances of the cast.
Winning two out of the nine Academy Awards that it received nominations for, Apollo 13 was showered with positive reviews by critics. Notable praise was directed towards the movie’s technical effects and Howard’s efforts to cultivate outer-space authenticity, as well as the gripping performances of the cast. In particular, Hanks’ gripping turn as Lovell was lauded as the highlight of an array of excellent work from a star-studded ensemble cast.
1
Forrest Gump (1994)
Directed By Robert Zemeckis
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Forrest Gump
PG-13
Romance
Drama
34
8.6/10
Release Date
July 6, 1994
Runtime
142 minutes
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Writers
Winston Groom, Eric Roth
Cast
See All
-
Mykelti Williamson
-
Gary Sinise
In this iconic piece of American film history, the presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the events of the Vietnam war, Watergate, and other history unfold through the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75.
Main Genre
Drama
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Based on Winston Groom’s novel of the same name, Forrest Gump is a front-runner for the finest movie collaboration between Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis. The 1994 comedy-drama is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential movies ever made, chronicling the unlikely adventures of Hanks’ titular character against the backdrop of various social flashpoints in 20th century U.S. history.
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Flaws and all, the movie unfolds like a book of short stories and that choice ushered in a confidence the script is able to pull off.
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Earning the actor his second successive Best Actor statuette in addition to five other Oscar wins at the 67th Academy Awards, Forrest Gump arguably remains the role that Hanks will forever find his name linked to. Producing an inimitably earnest and warm-hearted take on his charge, the actor’s bow as Gump constitutes one of the most iconic performances in movie history. Deftly walking the line between laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreaking from start to finish, Zemeckis’ 1994 crowd-pleasing entry is hard to deny when it comes to picking the best Tom Hanks movie that isn’t about war.
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Category: Entertainment