Tom Hanks is on everyone’s favorite actor list.
And we all love “Forrest Gump”, Saving Private Ryan”, “Toy Story” and “Big”.
And there are many, many more movies that are well-loved by people all over the
world But I decided to create a list of five of his movies that hardly anybody
ever talks about. Here are five underrated Tom Hanks movies.
That Thing You Do (1996)
Hanks has a role in it, but this is also his directorial debut. It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Ondeders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film.
The ‘Burbs (1989)
Ray Peterson is in need of rest and spends his vacation in his boring, decent suburban home. But then the Klopek family moves into a house nearby. The Klopeks are a bit strange and at night there are strange noises coming from their house. Along with his neighbors Mark and Art, Ray sets out to investigate. It’s such a funny, absurd dark comedy, which isn’t only underrated, but also very overlooked. I hardly know anyone who has seen it. My brother and I can actually quote from it, that’s how much we love it (and how many times we’ve watched it).
Road to Perdition (2002)
Tom Hanks plays gangster Michael Sullivan, handyman to mob boss John Rooney and father of two sons. One of Sullivan’s sons witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take the road, and his father down the path of redemption and revenge. The violence remains mostly off screen, but the film shows the effect of violence on people. I think this is Hanks’ most underrated film ever.
Bachelor Party (1984)
Rick announces that he is marrying girlfriend Debbie. Debbie’s father thinks that Rick is just a loser and tries to sabotage the wedding. Rick’s friends organize a wild bachelor party for him, with lots of booze and strippers. This movie was made way before Tom Hanks became a serious actor and superstar. He played a lot of these comedic roles. It might be a bit dated, but it is your typical 1980s comedy, that still is pretty funny.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
In the US, Fred Rogers is an institution, because of his TV-show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, in which he spent more than thirty years talking to children about social issues, in an extremely calm and kind manner. Fred Rogers is one of television’s most kind-natured people. So who else, than America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks to portray him. This is not your standard biopic. The film is based on an article in Esquire. A journalist who is initially skeptical of Rogers’ impeccable image but becomes increasingly impressed with him. Hanks is perfectly cast. The film is sentimental, but nuanced. It will have a bigger impact if you also grew up with Rogers’ TV show, but still a movie that I could recommend.
Hanks has a role in it, but this is also his directorial debut. It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Ondeders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film.
Ray Peterson is in need of rest and spends his vacation in his boring, decent suburban home. But then the Klopek family moves into a house nearby. The Klopeks are a bit strange and at night there are strange noises coming from their house. Along with his neighbors Mark and Art, Ray sets out to investigate. It’s such a funny, absurd dark comedy, which isn’t only underrated, but also very overlooked. I hardly know anyone who has seen it. My brother and I can actually quote from it, that’s how much we love it (and how many times we’ve watched it).
Tom Hanks plays gangster Michael Sullivan, handyman to mob boss John Rooney and father of two sons. One of Sullivan’s sons witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take the road, and his father down the path of redemption and revenge. The violence remains mostly off screen, but the film shows the effect of violence on people. I think this is Hanks’ most underrated film ever.
Rick announces that he is marrying girlfriend Debbie. Debbie’s father thinks that Rick is just a loser and tries to sabotage the wedding. Rick’s friends organize a wild bachelor party for him, with lots of booze and strippers. This movie was made way before Tom Hanks became a serious actor and superstar. He played a lot of these comedic roles. It might be a bit dated, but it is your typical 1980s comedy, that still is pretty funny.
In the US, Fred Rogers is an institution, because of his TV-show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, in which he spent more than thirty years talking to children about social issues, in an extremely calm and kind manner. Fred Rogers is one of television’s most kind-natured people. So who else, than America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks to portray him. This is not your standard biopic. The film is based on an article in Esquire. A journalist who is initially skeptical of Rogers’ impeccable image but becomes increasingly impressed with him. Hanks is perfectly cast. The film is sentimental, but nuanced. It will have a bigger impact if you also grew up with Rogers’ TV show, but still a movie that I could recommend.
