Forrest Gump (1994)
The world will never be the same once you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump.
A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 23 June 1994 |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Director | Robert Zemeckis |
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise |
| Runtime | 142 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.5/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 75% · Metacritic 82/100 · IMDb 8.8/10 · TMDB users 8.5/10 |
| Budget | $55 million |
| Box office | $678 million worldwide |
Where to watch Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is streaming on Paramount+ ($13.99 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Paramount+ is $13.99 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 30 September 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
Robert Zemeckis directs a 142-minute comedy-drama that treats history as a series of missed connections. Tom Hanks plays a man whose low IQ somehow lands him inside the most significant events of the era. He does not change these events; he just happens to be there when they happen. The film leans on the idea that simplicity is a superpower, even if the romance he pursues keeps slipping away. It is a long watch, but the pacing suggests you are just along for the ride, which is exactly the point.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes reports 75% positive reviews, while Metacritic scores it 82 out of 100. The consensus calls it a whimsical odyssey with undeniable heart, though the tone can tip into glibness. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called it "a magical movie," praising the screenplay's complexity. Not everyone bought the magic. Anthony Lane of The New Yorker found the film "warm, wise, and wearisome as hell.
How it did with audiences
Forrest Gump was produced on a budget of $55 million. It grossed $330 million in the United States and $678 million worldwide. That is a significant return, though Hollywood accounting has a way of making numbers look quieter than they are. On TMDB, users rate it 8.5 out of 10. Audiences, it seems, did the math before the studio did.
Awards
It swept the 67th Academy Awards, taking 6 of 13 total nominations for the year. Tom Hanks won Best Actor, Robert Zemeckis Best Director, and Eric Roth Best Adapted Screenplay. Wendy Finerman took Best Picture. Hanks had already won the previous year for Philadelphia. The Academy likes a streak.
What came next for the cast
Before 1994, Tom Hanks had Philadelphia and Big under his belt. Afterward came Saving Private Ryan and The Green Mile. The sequence suggests momentum, but credits do not prove causation. Robin Wright moved from The Princess Bride to Wonder Woman and Blade Runner 2049. Gary Sinise went from Of Mice and Men to Apollo 13. The film is a marker, not a motor.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Forrest Gump.
Sources
- Forrest Gump on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q134773 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Forrest Gump” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
Watch it without paying for the whole year
Binge Boss tracks the movie you are on and tells you which services you need this month, and which you can cancel.
Add Forrest Gump to your list