A Tom Hanks classic has found a new home on Peacock from July 1 as Forrest Gump comes to the streaming platform. As the film that earned Hanks his second Oscar for Best Actor following Philadelphia the year before, this 1994 hit also took home other major Academy Awards like Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Coming from Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis, Forrest Gump represented the first of several collaborations with Hanks that include later favorites like Cast Away, The Polar Express, and, most recently, Here. As a film that traversed much of the history of 20th-century America through the life of one man, Forrest Gump struck a chord with viewers at the time.
With Hanks as Forrest, a kind-hearted man who more than makes up for his intellectual struggles through earnest sincerity, this performance stands as one of the most iconic in his career. As one of the defining films of the 1990s, Forrest Gump’s move to Peacock will allow those unfamiliar with this sleeper hit to catch up on a true classic.
What This Means For Forrest Gump
New Viewers Can Discover Forrest Gump
As a film that pre-dates the streaming era, Forrest Gump has appeared on different platforms over the years and will be available to Peacock subscribers from this July. Although Forrest Gump was expected to do well, nobody could have predicted its box office takings of $678 million against its $55 million budget, making it the highest-grossing film of 1994.
|
Forrest Gump Oscar Wins |
Recipient |
|---|---|
|
Best Picture |
Wendy Finerman, Steve Starkey, and Steve Tisch |
|
Best Director |
Robert Zemeckis |
|
Best Actor |
Tom Hanks |
|
Best Adapted Screenplay |
Eric Roth |
|
Best Film Editing |
Arthur Schmidt |
|
Best Visual Effects |
Ken Ralston, George Murphy, Allen Hall and Stephen Rosenbaum |
The outstanding acclaim that Forrest Gump received means most older viewers will be more than familiar with the film, although its arrival on Peacock will allow younger viewers to experience it for the first time. There’s a heartfelt charm to Forrest’s story that could strike a chord with a new generation of viewers.
Why You Should Watch Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump Is A True 1990s Classic
Forrest Gump was an excellent adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel, and Hanks’ performance helped elevate the character into a true cinematic icon. With iconic quotes such as “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” and seeing Forrest interact with historical figures like JFK or John Lennon, Forrest Gump is a must-watch movie.
Those who take the time to check out Forrest Gump on Peacock this July will not only be educating themselves in an era-defining movie but also treating themselves to a genuinely entertaining film-watching experience. Forrest Gump will make you laugh, cry, and rethink the way you perceive others, and more than 30 years later still holds up incredibly well.
Forrest Gump
7/10
- Release Date
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July 6, 1994
- Runtime
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142 minutes
- Director
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Robert Zemeckis
- Writers
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Winston Groom, Eric Roth
