Many would attest that Tom Hanks is one of the greatest actors in American history. He’s starred in Hollywood blockbusters like Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, Pixar’s Toy Story franchise, and many more. With decades of experience in front of cameras, Hanks is often one of the harshest critics of his work. While Hanks enjoys the thrill of working alongside the best filmmakers and actors in the business, not every project ranks among his favorites.
Speaking with People, Hanks says four of the 80 films he’s contributed to are “pretty good.” Only four? Tom, surely you jest! Can you explain this bizarre stance? “No one knows how a movie is made — though everyone thinks they do,” Hanks remarked. “I’ve made a ton of movies (and four of them are pretty good, I think) and I’m still amazed at how films come together.”
“From a flicker of an idea to the flickering image onscreen, the whole process is a miracle,” Hanks added. He also confessed that the act of filmmaking is “very hard work over a very long period of time that consists of so many moments of joy slapped up against an equal number of feelings of self-loathing.” However, Hanks also thinks he’s blessed to have become such a monumental figure in the grand scheme of Hollywood entertainment. “It is the greatest job in the world and the most confounding of labors that I know of.”
Of course, this begs the question: Which movies does Hanks think are his best? The answers might surprise you unless you remember Hanks’ interview with Bill Simmons on The Bill Simmons Podcast last year. When asked to rank his favorite films, Forrest Gump being ineligible, Hanks listed Cast Away, A League of Their Own, and 2012’s Cloud Atlas. Hanks says his rankings are based on personal experience and the unforgettable lessons he learned while filming the movies mentioned above. I think Cloud Atlas might be the only film directed by the Wachowskis that I haven’t seen. I need to get on that.
What are your Top 5 favorite movies starring Tom Hanks? If I had to list mine in order, from bottom to top, my list would include Forrest Gump, Toy Story 3, ‘The Burbs, and A League of Their Own. Feel free to list your favorites in the comments. Remember, there are no wrong answers. Have fun with it.