Tom Hanks is one of the most beloved actors of all time, with a career spanning decades and filled with unforgettable roles. From heartfelt dramas to goofy comedies — and even a slasher movie early on — Hanks has done it all. He made his breakthrough with Big, earning his first Oscar nomination, and soon became the king of ‘90s rom-coms thanks to his perfect on-screen chemistry with Meg Ryan in films like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
Of course, the Academy has taken notice. Hanks has received six Oscar nominations so far (and let’s be honest, he deserved a seventh for Captain Phillips). He remains one of only two actors in history to win back-to-back Oscars for Best Actor — first for Philadelphia and then for Forrest Gump. With his mix of sincerity, charm, and depth, Hanks continues to prove why he’s a Hollywood legend. Here are all of his Oscar-nominated performances, ranked based on Hanks’ work, the movie’s quality, and the performance’s overall legacy.
6
Fred Rogers in ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ (2019)
Best Supporting Actor at the 92nd Academy Awards
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood tells the story of a troubled journalist (played by Matthew Rhys) assigned to profile TV icon Fred Rogers. While the movie has its heart in the right place, it plays things a bit too safe. It didn’t leave a huge impact and only landed a single Oscar nomination for Hanks’ work as Fred Rogers. In a year full of big wins like Parasite and Joker, this film faded into the background.
Still, Hanks gives a warm and heartfelt performance that makes the movie worth watching. Playing a beloved figure like Mister Rogers is no easy task, but Hanks captures his kindness, patience, and gentle spirit perfectly. His calm presence adds depth to a film that could have been much more moving. While not one of Hanks’ most powerful films, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a gentle reminder of how kindness can change lives.
5
Josh Baskin in ‘Big’ (1988)
Best Actor at the 61st Academy Awards
Big is a fantasy-comedy about Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who wishes to be “big” at a carnival machine and wakes up the next morning as a grown man. What follows is a fun, heartfelt coming-of-age story about growing up too fast. Directed by Penny Marshall, the movie became an ‘80s classic, mixing humor, fantasy, and sweet life lessons. The giant piano scene remains one of the most iconic moments in film history.
Hanks gives a pitch-perfect performance, capturing the curiosity, clumsiness, and wide-eyed wonder of a child trapped in an adult’s body. His role in Big marked his first-ever Oscar nomination and proved his ability to carry both comedic and emotional weight. Although he didn’t win — losing to Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man — this role helped launch Hanks into Hollywood stardom. It’s a must-watch, not just for nostalgia but to witness the early spark of one of cinema’s greatest actors.
4
Chuck Noland in ‘Cast Away’ (2000)
Best Actor at the 73rd Academy Awards
Cast Away tells the story of Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive whose plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean, leaving him stranded on a deserted island. With no one else around, Chuck must learn to survive, both physically and emotionally. The movie explores isolation, resilience, and the power of hope, shown best through Chuck’s unexpected bond with a volleyball named Wilson. It’s a quiet, powerful story of survival, heartbreak, and starting over that still holds up today.
Hanks gave everything to this role, losing 55 pounds, pausing production for months, and even suffering a serious injury on set. His performance as Chuck is one of the best in his career, showing both emotional depth and physical transformation. He ultimately lost the Oscar to Russell Crowe in Gladiator, which was a big surprise. Indeed, the race felt divided, as Crowe only won one precursor award that season, the Critics Choice Award, and Hanks went home with the Golden Globe. Cast Away also marked Hanks’ debut as a film producer and remains one of his most iconic roles, proving how far he’ll go to bring a story to life.
3
Captain John Miller in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Best Actor at the 71st Academy Awards
Saving Private Ryan is a powerful World War II drama about a group of soldiers sent on a mission to rescue Private James Ryan, the last surviving brother in a family devastated by war. The film shows the horrors of battle with unforgettable realism, especially during its opening scene. Steven Spielberg’s direction and Hanks’ performance are at their best here, blending action and emotion to create a heartbreaking, thoughtful film about sacrifice, duty, and what it means to be a hero.
Hanks leads the story as Captain John Miller, showing quiet strength and deep emotion. His performance reminds us that soldiers are regular people facing impossible choices. Hanks plays Miller as a brave leader who is also scared, tired, and human. It’s one of his most powerful roles, balancing courage with vulnerability. Though he lost the Oscar to Roberto Benigni for Life Is Beautiful, Hanks’ work in this film remains a career highlight and a truly iconic performance. Sadly, Saving Private Ryan lost Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love, a win clouded by Harvey Weinstein’s aggressive campaigning. Many agree that Spielberg’s film was the true Best Picture of that year, and Hanks helped make it unforgettable.
2
Forrest Gump in ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)
Best Actor at the 67th Academy Awards
Forrest Gump follows the life of a kind-hearted man with a low IQ who somehow finds himself at the center of some of the biggest moments in American history. From playing college football to fighting in Vietnam, starting a shrimp business, and inspiring a running craze, Forrest lives an extraordinary life while staying true to himself. With unforgettable quotes and iconic moments, the film became a cultural phenomenon — though many still believe The Shawshank Redemption deserved the Best Picture Oscar instead. Forrest Gump earned 13 Oscar nominations — the most since 1966’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — and took home six, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Writing.
Hanks gives a deeply lovable performance as Forrest, earning him a second consecutive Oscar, which was predictable since he won the majority of the precursor awards. His portrayal captures Forrest’s innocence, charm, and quiet strength, making him one of the most beloved characters in movie history. Hanks brings warmth and honesty to every scene, turning what could have been a caricature into a fully human character. His performance continues to inspire fans decades later, proving why Hanks is one of Hollywood’s most talented stars.
1
Andrew Beckett in ‘Philadelphia’ (1993)
Best Actor at the 66th Academy Awards
Philadelphia tells the story of Andrew Beckett, a successful lawyer who is fired after his firm discovers he has AIDS. With the help of a reluctant attorney, played by Denzel Washington, Beckett sues for wrongful dismissal and fights back against discrimination. Directed by the late great Jonathan Demme, the film was one of the first mainstream Hollywood movies to address HIV/AIDS and homophobia. It sparked important conversations, resonated with audiences, and became a powerful document of its time. It also earned five Oscar nominations and won two in the same year that Schindler’s List dominated the ceremony.
This role earned Hanks his first Academy Award win and his second nomination. Hanks’ sensitive and deeply moving portrayal of Beckett showed both strength and vulnerability, helping break down stigma through cinema. Hanks lost weight and fully committed to the emotional depth of the role, delivering a performance that helped people see the human side of AIDS. He also won the Golden Globe that year, so his win at the Oscars was kind of anticipated. Although Liam Neeson was a strong contender for Schindler’s List, Hanks’ heartfelt performance made history — and is his best Oscar win so far.
Philadelphia
- Release Date
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January 14, 1994
- Runtime
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125 Minutes
