The Best Tom Hanks Movies

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Ten years ago, I sent a Tweet. (Yes, a Tweet. This was 10 years ago – X didn’t exist.)

It wasn’t called “Let’s Rank Things,” but that’s what we were doing. The topic: Tom Hanks movies. The result: A few angry replies, but mostly people just naming incredible movies that didn’t have room in the Top 5.

Tom Hanks is “America’s Dad” at this point in his career. He’s loved by nearly everyone, but his content of late has geared more toward 30-or-40-something men. But hey, I’m a 30-or-40-something man, so I’m sticking to my rankings.

I’ll give you a teaser here – my rankings haven’t changed in the 10 years since. I’ve watched every Tom Hanks movie. All 54 of them. Many of them for the first time since that original ranking. Do I have a note on my phone with all 54 ranked? Obviously.

Maybe that’ll be for paid subscribers one day.

But today, you get the Top 5.

Sleepless in Seattle is the culmination of an entire decade of being the lovable/goofball/nice guy in the ‘80s. It was an amazing feather in the cap of his career of really good rom-coms.

It can’t be higher on this list simply because I believe Nora Ephron can get greatness out of anyone.

This film kicked off one of the greatest run of leading actor roles in the history of cinema. And a few of those films we’re going to hit on next.

Think about this. In June, you’re sitting in the theater, tears leaking while watching Hanks in a Seattle love story. Six months later, you’re sitting there with tears as Hanks portrays an attorney diagnosed with AIDS – at a time when this was a highly controversial topic.

This is Hanks’ most heartfelt performance. Denzel Washington is amazing — and Hanks goes toe-to-toe with him. And remember: at the time, Hanks was considered a comedy actor.

This film changed everything. And he won an Oscar because of it.

There are a lot of memorable scenes in this movie. Moments with high drama and high stakes. But if I was ranking the scenes based on Hanks’ acting alone, none would beat the way Hanks reacts when he tells the wrong Private James F. Ryan that his brothers are dead and follows it with complete irritation and a “yeah, I’m sure they’re fine.”

The only reason I held this movie out of the Top 2 is Hanks didn’t have to carry it single-handedly. It was a great cast and excellent cinematography that, dare I say, overshadows some of Hanks’ brilliance.

Hanks’ second Academy Award for Best Actor in a row is my favorite of the two performances. Not because it’s the better film over Philadelphia, per se, but because Hanks carries this movie on his back.

It hasn’t aged great, but this is still my go-to at the end of a long week when all I want to do is order a pizza and shut down for a couple hours.

“Lieutenant Dan, Ice Cream” is likely the movie quote I recite the most.

Take my favorite actor, put him on a deserted island with a volleyball and toothache, and expect me not to rank it No. 1? I think not.

Hanks puts this film on his back, drops it onto a makeshift raft, and floats it across the finish line.

He doesn’t need some extensive monologue or a co-star to banter with. Just physical acting and changing his physique to drive it home. Loved every second of this performance.

‘80s Hanks is a lovable goofball — and there's nothing wrong with that. But his acting chops really rose in the '90s. Big hasn't ever sat quite right, and it's aged worse than most. Turner & Hooch exists, though, so there’s that.

Again, no decade of Hanks is a bad decade. BUT… this is what I call “Hanks-in-a-position-of-power-solving-a-crisis mode.”

Captain Phillips, Sully, The Post, Saving Mr. Banks… Dad fodder. Great dad fodder. I’m a dad and eat this up. Just not the same level of risk he was taking in the '90s.

If you want to see all 54 movies ranked, check out Esquire’s rankings. They are very wrong, but at least they have them all listed, I guess.

What’s your favorite Hanks movie? Or better yet, the worst? Hit reply. Make your case. Best "Why I'm Right" email gets featured right here next week.