Overview
A heartwarming journey through life, love, and the power of friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- warm
- nostalgic
- comfort viewing
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an expertly crafted, emotionally powerful crowd-pleaser led by Tom Hanks’s sincere performance, though some find its sentimentality and historical simplification excessive.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Forrest is composited into encounters with presidents and other recognizable moments in American history.
Forrest’s life moves through Vietnam, Washington, popular culture, business, and presidential encounters.
Forrest’s good intentions and literal worldview contrast with the turmoil surrounding his family, friends, and country.
Forrest narrates his memories to successive people while waiting at a bus stop.
Films like Forrest Gump, and why
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Like Forrest Gump, it follows an ordinary protagonist whose life intersects with major historical events while balancing humor and emotional drama.
Big Fish
Shares a warm, retrospective life story structure, broad historical sweep, romance, and bittersweet emotional themes.
The Green Mile
Combines national history, personal memory, romance, and an earnest outsider protagonist across decades.
The Help
A crowd-pleasing American historical drama with comedy, romance, and an emotionally direct perspective on social change.
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Release Date
- 1994-06-23
- Runtime
- 142 min
- Rating
- 8.5 / 10 (30549)
Cast
- Tom Hanks
- Robin Wright
- Gary Sinise
- Sally Field
- Mykelti Williamson
- Michael Conner Humphreys
- Hanna Hall
- Haley Joel Osment
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan
- Rebecca Williams
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Forrest Gump about?
- An earnest Alabama everyman inadvertently becomes a witness to American history while remaining devoted to his troubled childhood sweetheart.
- What is Forrest Gump like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Forrest Gump as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Forrest Gump violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Forrest Gump as moderate.
- What did critics think of Forrest Gump?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an expertly crafted, emotionally powerful crowd-pleaser led by Tom Hanks’s sincere performance, though some find its sentimentality and historical simplification excessive.
- Which films are like Forrest Gump?
- Films with a similar feel include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Big Fish, The Green Mile, and The Help.
- How long is Forrest Gump?
- Forrest Gump runs 142 minutes.
- Where can I watch Forrest Gump?
- In United States, Forrest Gump streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV.
