10 Most Underrated Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked

10. News of the World (2020)

Hanks gives a quiet and dignified performance as a news reader after the Civil War who escorts a young orphan girl back home. The pandemic timing meant a lot of people did not see this Western, but it has beautiful cinematography and heartfelt themes about connection. His performance is subtle and moving, and it makes the film an underrated character study.

9. Greyhound (2020)

Hanks wrote and starred as a naval commander in a tense World War Two convoy battle. It came out during the pandemic, so a lot of people missed it. But this tight sound driven thriller has gripping action and a mature sense of weight. It is one of the strongest late career performances he has given, and it really shows what leadership looks like under pressure.

8. Cloud Atlas (2012)

Hanks takes on multiple roles across different time periods in this ambitious and sprawling epic about souls that are connected to each other. It is a divisive and complex movie, but the bold scope and the way he transforms into each character, including some villainous turns, make it visually stunning and thought provoking. It is the kind of sci fi that rewards you if you are patient with it.

7. Road to Perdition (2002)

Hanks plays against type as a 1930s hitman looking for revenge in this stylish gangster drama. It got overshadowed by flashier mob movies, but the emotional father son story, the beautiful visuals, and the quiet intensity show a side of his dramatic range that people do not always see. It is a moody and underrated thriller.

6. The Terminal (2004)

Spielberg and Hanks made a whimsical but moving story about an immigrant who gets stuck in an airport. Some people say it is too sentimental, but Hanks' performance is full of empathy and the movie deals with timely ideas about bureaucracy and belonging. It shows off his physical comedy and his warmth, and it is a charming and underrated film.

5. A League of Their Own (1992)

Hanks steals every scene he is in as the gruff, alcoholic coach of a women's baseball team during World War Two, and he delivers the famous line about no crying in baseball. People usually focus on the whole cast, but his performance is a real highlight because it is so against type and his character grows over the course of the movie. It adds a lot of depth to this funny and inspiring sports classic.

4. That Thing You Do! (1996)

Hanks' first movie as a director is a charming look at a one hit wonder band in the 1960s. It often gets overlooked because of his bigger dramatic roles, but it is full of catchy music, great period detail, and a lot of warmth. He does double duty as actor and director, and it shows a side of his talent that people do not always talk about. This sunny nostalgia piece is a delightful hidden gem.

3. The Money Pit (1986)

This chaotic home renovation nightmare turns into slapstick gold as Hanks plays a frantic everyman trying to deal with one disaster after another. People often write it off as just another 80s comedy, but the physical humor and the relatable frustration show how versatile Hanks was even early on. It is a fun and underrated gem for anyone who enjoys big laughs.

2. Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Tom Hanks' first movie with Meg Ryan is a whimsical story about a sick man who goes on a life affirming adventure. It does not get the credit it deserves for its quirky tone and deeper ideas about life. Hanks is charming in this offbeat romantic comedy, and it rewards rewatching with a heartfelt message about making the most of your time.

1. The 'Burbs (1989)

Joe Dante's suburban satire gives Tom Hanks a great role as a nosy everyman whose paranoia gets more and more funny as he deals with odd neighbors and mysterious newcomers. A lot of people dismiss it as just a light comedy, but it actually makes fun of conformity and small town suspicion in a sharp way. Hanks' comic timing is spot on, and that is what makes this cult favorite better than people give it credit for.