From Forrest to Woody: The 25 Best Films Of Tom Hanks’ Legendary Career

8. Big, “Josh Baskin” (1988)

Image Source: IMDb

This was the role and film that showed audiences Hanks could be a box-office star. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for his part in the Penny Marshall film as a boy who wished to be “big,” then had it come true. Hanks is funny, poignant and endearing as Josh Baskin. It opened the door for him to not only maintain his comedic chops, but mix it with the right amount of dramatic flair.