Tom Hanks’s 10 Best Movies, According To Metacritic

Tom Hanks is one of the most beloved actors of all time. His personality is kindly infectious and his films tend to be both critical and financial successes. However, as far as Metacritic is concerned, some rise far above others.

From his multiple movies with director Steven Spielberg to his adventures as Woody in the Toy Story franchise, Hanks has left an indelible mark on the film industry, and viewers’ hearts. Even still, not every movie that fans would expect made the cut for Metacritic’s top 10, and some omissions are shocking when compared to the works that replaced them.

10 A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019) – 80

Hanks is a go-to actor for biopics, and there’s no performer better suited for a Mr. Rogers movie than the Big actor. He pulled off the role, too, bringing his warmth and considerable talent to an accurate rendition of the children’s entertainer.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood gave the world one of the kindest Tom Hanks characters in Fred Rogers. Furthermore, its Metascore of 80 indicates generally favorable reviews. However, its 7.2 user score is a little lower, even if it still signifies an overall positive user response.

9 Bridge Of Spies (2015) – 81

Directed by Steven Spielberg, co-written by the Coen brothers, and featuring a terrific cast including Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, and Hanks, Bridge of Spies tells the story of a prisoner swap that could have gone much worse.

Spielberg’s fourth collaboration with Hanks was another winner on Metacritic. With a Metascore of 81, the movie holds a Metacritic Must-See badge, signifying universal acclaim. However, its user score was lower at 7.6, which indicates a “generally” favorable viewer response.

8 Captain Phillips (2013) – 82

Paul Greengrass’s Captain Phillips is the true story of a merchant mariner whose vessel, and crew, are taken captive by Somali pirates. However, the best performance of the film belongs to Barkhad Abdi, whose work makes his character both empathetic and contemptible.

Captain Phillips is one of Hanks’ better biopics, with a level of intensity that can verge on unbearable. It also holds some excellent reviews on Metacritic. With a Metascore of 82 and a user score of 8.1, Captain Phillips holds a Metacritic Must-See badge.

7 Forrest Gump (1994) – 82

One of Tom Hanks’ most likable characters, Forrest Gump, became a pop culture figurehead throughout the ’90s, and his dialogue within his eponymous film is just as quotable decades later as it was in 1994.

Zemeckis’s film received critical acclaim on Metacritic, with a score of 82 and a Metacritic Must-See badge. However, while Forrest Gump is a beloved film, its user score is lower at 7.8, or a numerical representation of generally favorable reviews.

6 The Post (2017) – 83

The Post is a historical political thriller that sheds light on The Washington Post and their publication of the Pentagon Papers: classified documents that detail the United States government’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Spielberg’s most recent team-up with Hanks resulted in 2017’s newspaper drama The Post. Co-starring Meryl Streep, the film received critical acclaim and holds a Metascore of 83, which nets it a Metacritic Must-See badge. However, its user score was quite a bit lower at 7.0, which indicates favorable, but not stellar, reviews.

5 Toy Story 4 (2019) – 84

With returning characters from the first three installments, as well as some excellent new additions, Toy Story 4 is a lovely and nostalgic time at the movies. It doesn’t hold quite the same impact as the third film, but the fourth still has its moments of tear-jerking poignancy.

The fourth, and Hanks’ final, Toy Story movie was the weakest of the bunch. However, it still holds universal acclaim and a Metacritic Must-See badge with a score of 84. With that being said, its user score was fairly lower at 7.9, which is a score used to indicate generally favorable reviews.

4 Toy Story 2 (1999) – 88

While Toy Story 2 is typically seen as below the first and third installments, it still did extremely well with critics and audiences. This is especially true considering, at one point, Toy Story 2 was meant to go straight to DVD. In the end, it went to theaters and expanded the toy closet by a few members, some of whom have stuck around for the long run.

The first Toy Story sequel holds a Metacritic Must-See badge with a Metascore of 88. Its user score of 8.7 is nearly identical, and both indicate universal acclaim.

3 Saving Private Ryan (1998) – 91

Stephen Spielberg is one of the best directors Hanks has collaborated with, and they’ve done so several times to consistent effect. The first time he directed the Toy Story actor was in Saving Private Ryan, and it stands as their best to date.

With a Metascore of 91, Saving Private Ryan holds universal acclaim from critics and a Metacritic Must-See badge. Its user score is comparable but slightly lower at 8.9, which is still a stand-in for universal acclaim.

2 Toy Story 3 (2010) – 92

Before Toy Story 4 came along, Toy Story 3 served as a perfectly poignant and dramatic conclusion. Featuring some scenes that would make an adult cry, it’s a deceptively relevant narrative that tickles the heartstrings just as much as the funnybone.

One of Tom Hanks’ saddest movies is also an installment in the Toy Story franchise. Released in the Summer of 2010, Toy Story 3 holds a Metacritic Must-See badge with a score of 92. This and the movie’s user score of 8.9 both represent universal acclaim.

1 Toy Story (1995) – 95

As the film that defined Pixar and altered the animation world forever, Toy Story has some near-impossible shoes to be filled. With a gorgeous CGI animation style and note-perfect vocal performances from the cast, including Hanks as Woody, the first Pixar film is still one of their best.

At 8.8, Toy Story‘s user score doesn’t quite match the heights reached by the third installment. However, that and its Metascore of 95 still earned it a Metacritic Must-See badge, and it is Hanks’ highest-rated film on the site.

About The Author

Ben Hathaway
(298 Articles Published)

Ben Hathaway is a Senior Writer (Lists) for Screen Rant. A former Therapeutic Day Treatment counselor, Ben is now a career writer. When not working, he is writing and self-publishing (on Amazon) novels under the name Scott Gray. In his spare time, he’s reading on the porch or watching every film under the sun. Ben can be contacted at [email protected].

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