For someone with the movie credits of Tom Hanks, a favorite film is like a favorite meal for a five-star chef. Hanks’ taste in movies is as eclectic as his own previous roles. The cinema he watches and enjoys sheds light, in many ways, on the direction of his personal career. Without some of these titles, the parts he played himself could have been altered.

From comical romps in movies like Bachelor Party to respected works like the generational Philadelphia, Hanks has carved out a place as one of Tinsel Town’s elite. Taking a glimpse into his digital library is a true peek behind the curtain of Hollywood. While Hanks’s choices for movies he loves to watch as viewers can help many understand his motivations, his favorite films on his own personal resume do the same. It shows what gives this great actor inspiration and what makes a film project so memorable. These are the favorite movies of Tom Hanks.

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7 Elephant

     HBO Films

Gritty and authentic, the HBO Film from Gus Van Sant, Elephant, was a winner at Cannes. It’s also a winner in the Hanks household. It was one of the five Hanks named in a 2021 interview with German Magazine Bild (via Far Out Magazine) as one of his favorites.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

A psychological drama that presents an uneasy feeling from the start, Elephant was called “chilling” by Roger Ebert. Depicting the horrors of a school shooting in ways that affect the viewer viscerally, Elephant is a true piece of art.

6 Fargo

     Gramercy Pictures

A crowd favorite, Fargo is a comfort film for so many. Knowing that Hanks enjoys it too means that maybe you can convince him to come over and watch it. Maybe? Hanks explained his reason for choosing the Coen Brothers’ film as one of his favorites. According to the Oscar-winner, he enjoys movies that allow viewers to assess their own reactions to the situations. In his own words, “The period, the topic or the genre don’t matter to me. The only thing that matters for me is: boy, what would you do if that were you?”

5 The Godfather

     Paramount Pictures

One of the true masterpieces of film, The Godfather series is not only beloved for its well-written and wonderfully acted presentation, but it is also a film that redefined gangster movies. The artistic expression mixed with the ruthless crime world makes it an unforgettable film. Hanks famously worked The Godfather into a scene with Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail. The two exchange messages when he brings it up. To this, Ryan asks, “What is it with men and The Godfather?”

4 2001: A Space Odyssey

     Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Out of the movies that he wasn’t in, Hanks’ top film choice, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is a pure classic. Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 presentation was so well received that it led to speculation that the technology in the film was the same used to “fake” the moon landings. Whatever side of the conspiracy coin you fall on, you have to admit that 2001: A Space Odyssey looks amazing.

In a 2008 interview with EW, Hanks spoke openly about his love of the film. Said the actor, “You can look at it over and over and ponder its meaning…And it’s a singular meaning for each person. Thank God Kubrick never laid it all out for us.”

3 Cloud Atlas

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Huh? Really? Yes. Hanks holds Cloud Atlas as a great piece of his movie history, but also one that remains close to his heart. This 2012 sci-fi mystery was his first time shooting extensively in Germany. He was proud of the product, but overwhelmed by the history around him.

As Hanks explained to NBC News, “The work itself, we were part of this big, massive ensemble of fantastic people who were just trying to do the hardest, best work on a deep throw.” With an extensive film catalog like Hanks boasts, perks like this truly make filmmaking memorable.

2 A League of Their Own

     Columbia Pictures

Decades ahead of its time, the women-led baseball origin story of A League of Their Own is inspiring and historic. Featuring Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and other top names from the 1990s, this is one movie that has stood the test of time.

The reason why Hanks names this film among his favorite? Simple. He was paid to play baseball for an entire summer. Again, it’s one of the perks of making movies. For Hanks, it made all the difference in the world and earned it a place in his top films.

1 Cast Away

     20th Century Fox

Beloved for his comedy, but revered for his drama, Hanks has shown he can adapt to any role. On the heels of dramatic portrayals like Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, his role in Cast Away maintained the momentum he had been gaining.

Today, Hanks considers Cast Away a “bold adventure”. “We were out in the middle of the ocean trying to grab shots. We were out in Fiji and my whole family was with me,” he said to NBC. “Nothing but adventures every single day.”