Tom Hanks, the Hollywood icon who has graced our screens since the 1980s, has recently revealed his top four favorite movies of all time. With a long list of notable projects under his belt, including the likes of Big, The Money Pit, and the Toy Story franchise, as well as two Academy Awards for his roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, it's no surprise that his choices are highly anticipated. In a video shared by Letterboxd on Twitter, Tom Hanks spills the beans on his all-time favorite films during the red carpet event for Wes Anderson's Asteroid City.
How Tom Hanks' Career Reflects His Favorite Movies
Although he briefly hesitated, the actor eventually revealed his all-time favorite movie, which he watches a couple of times every year: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, a classic from 1968. He then went on to name his other three top picks after careful consideration: The Best Years of Our Lives, a 1946 film, A Hard Day's Night from 1964, and Midnight Cowboy, which was released in 1969.
Hanks' early favorite movies played a significant role in shaping his taste and influencing the choices he made throughout his career. Interestingly, many of his favorite films have parallels with his own roles, with the exception of Midnight Cowboy, a character study that contrasts with Hanks' typically heroic and family-oriented characters.
Hanks' portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis is arguably the role that most closely aligns with the sensibility of Midnight Cowboy's character. The musical biopic, set in the 1960s, also draws inspiration from A Hard Day's Night, which may have been a factor in Hanks' decision to join the cast. Meanwhile, Hanks' admiration for 2001: A Space Odyssey likely played a role in his involvement in Ron Howard's Apollo 13 in 1995.
However, it is The Best Years of Our Lives, a World War II-era film, that appears to have had the greatest influence on Hanks' career. He has starred in multiple movies set during this time period, including Saving Private Ryan and Greyhound, as well as producing the miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific. These consistent themes throughout his work demonstrate that Hanks' list of favorite films is more than just a passing interest, but a significant influence on his craft.
Source: Letterboxd/Twitter
