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"Stupid is as stupid does," says Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks in an Oscar-winning performance) as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite ... read more read more...his sub-normal IQ, Gump leads a truly charmed life, with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying, Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance, becomes a football star, meets John F. Kennedy, serves with honor in Vietnam, meets Lyndon Johnson, speaks at an anti-war rally at the Washington Monument, hangs out with the Yippies, defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis, meets Richard Nixon, discovers the break-in at the Watergate, opens a profitable shrimping business, becomes an original investor in Apple Computers, and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile, as the remarkable parade of his life goes by, Forrest never forgets Jenny (Robin Wright Penn), the girl he loved as a boy, who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon. Featured alongside Tom Hanks are Sally Field as Forrest's mother; Gary Sinise as his commanding officer in Vietnam; Mykelti Williamson as his ill-fated Army buddy who is familiar with every recipe that involves shrimp; and the special effects artists whose digital magic place Forrest amidst a remarkable array of historical events and people. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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93% liked it

1,119,247 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

56 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 22 min.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Release Date: July 6, 1994

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 90,162 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (90,162)


  • April 27, 2012
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    It's almost overwhelming but isn't, and flawed in some places. Forrest Gump is typically formulaic in terms of Oscar's bait and unbearably long but it's the fine direction and performances that keep the ... read morefilm from becoming boring. The titiluar character played by Hanks is constantly and consitently interesting and although it's patriotism and lack of plot is ofputting it's still a heartwarming story with on occasions a little bit of edginess.
  • fb1664868775
    March 1, 2012
    fb1664868775
    Zemeckis is channeling Frank Capra's ghost on this one. Regardless who you are , this film will surely emit some kind of emotion from you.
  • January 7, 2012
    Possibly the most overrated movie of all times. No big deal. Hanks does what he does best. But I've seen him do much better things than this. It's a good movie and a good story and so on...but just very overrated. I liked though how they edited him into old video clips...that was... read more fun...
  • October 28, 2011
    So many different places are discovered through Forrest's eyes and has earned the respect of everyone who haas layed eyes on this wonderfully peaceful and simplistic being, it's concept is simple, but it's detail is deep.
  • October 23, 2011
    Big Fish does it better.
  • October 1, 2011
    Tom Hanks gives a brilliant performance as the title character in Robert Zemeckis's Academy Award-winning comedy/drama FORREST GUMP, but I continue to hold my ground that Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler could have easily done better.

    This film is the tale of a man, suffering from ... read moremental retardation since the beginning of his childhood, who is sitting on a bench, apparently waiting for his bus, when he decides to tell his life story to anyone who sits down next to him. Routinely, he introduces himself to each new person (some seeming interested, others seeming to care less), and continuing his story from where he had left off with the previous person. Forrest Gump's story tells about Bubba, a man who he met in war and immediately befriended; his "mama", who he references many times throughout the film, especially in the famous quote, "Mama always told me, 'Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get"; and Jenny, the love of his life who he is intending to visit.

    Many say this really should not have won the Academy Award for Best Picture. I don't think I have seen any of the other 1994 nominees, but for now, I beg to differ. Though imperfect in its own ways, this film is a gem, and rarely do I say that. It's one to be watched over and over.
  • September 16, 2011
    Forrest Gump is a masterpiece! Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) has lived his life being completely oblivious to the amazing and historical things that happen to him. He has met Elvis, met the president, become a pro football star, gone to the Vietnam war, and much more, but all his li... read morefe all he could think about was the love of his life Jenny (Robin Wright Penn). Jenny is sweet girl but has lived her life trying to cover it up with sex and drugs, but never the less has always been best friends with Forrest and never stopped believing his a wonderful man. Forrest Gump may not be a smart man, but you don't have to be smart to be a great man Hanks is perfect and deserved the Oscar. The story is so sweet and god its hard not to love this movie. The ending is so nice and passionate that i love it. One of the greatest movies ever.
  • August 17, 2011
    A fantastic, emotional and truly exhilarating film which grabs you from the moment it begins and ends with you refusing to let go. Forrest is the perfect character and Hanks really does him justice. Brilliant performances from all and is able to remain upbeat and heart warming ev... read moreen through the tough times Gump faces. Despite Jenny being a horrible character and a horrible friend to Gump, we end up loving her as much as Forrest did since he's the narrator. Perfect scripting. I also love how Forrest's life is interwoven with real events with really good effects. But is Forrest really the daddy?
  • July 4, 2011
    An example of a very good film that I highly respect, appreciate, and enjoy, but also one that I do not like that much as most. It's worthy of a high rating, but that's it for me. It's an example of story-telling at it's finest, and Tom Hanks is fantastic, but all the while I rem... read moreain indifferent. I personally don't see why so many love it as much as they do. Good film, but only good. I still recommend it to everyone. It's one of those films that everyone should see at one point or another.
  • June 25, 2011
    Excellent acting, excellent story, excellent use of emotion... oh, wait, how about cutting edge technology (Even for 2011), a heart breaking ending, and a brilliant use of dialogue. Forrest Gump, while having a low intelligence, understands stuff in a great manner in which none o... read moref the rest of us can... and the irony of the name is that, although the character is dumb (in a good way), the movie is genius (in a great way). Watch this movie, I don't care if you have a deal that is 200$ for this movie, buy it. You'll want to watch it over and over again, it's that good. I liked it, and millions of others did to. You will like it, even if you say it's garbage... deep down, this movie makes you smile.

Critic Reviews


David Ansen
May 12, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

For all its ambition, the movie ends up using great historical events in the service of a dubious sentimentality. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
January 28, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A picaresque story of a simpleton's charmed odyssey through 30 years of tumultuous American history, Forrest Gump is whimsy with a strong cultural spine. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 5, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Judging by the the movie's enduring popularity, the message that stupidity is redemption is clearly what a lot of Americans want to hear. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 28, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Forrest Gump has the elements of an emotionally gripping story. Yet it feels less like a romance than like a coffee-table book celebrating the magic of special effects. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 16, 2002
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Skillfully adapted by screenwriter Eric Roth, the story belongs in the company of such sweet classics as Rain Man and Harvey. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A movie heart-breaker of oddball wit and startling grace.

Richard Corliss
January 1, 2000
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Like the best movie actors, Hanks is a superb reactor.

John Hartl
January 1, 2000
John Hartl, Film.com

This is one summer movie that doesn't evaporate the minute you leave the theater.

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Hanks is so charming as Gump, so heroic in his guilelessness and belief in simple virtues, that you want to excuse the film's excesses and overlook Zemeckis' weakness for easy, maudlin sentiment. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Passionate and magical, Forrest Gump is a tonic for the weary of spirit. Full Review

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Facts


    • Himself: That's about all I got to say bout that.
    • Drill Sergeant: Gump! What's your sole purpose in this army?
    • Forrest Gump: To do whatever you tell me, Drill Sergeant.
    • Drill Sergeant: Goddammit Gump, you're a Goddamn genius. That's the most outstanding answer I've ever heard. You must have a goddamn I.Q. of a hundred and sixty. You are goddamn gifted, Private Gump.
    • Forrest Gump: I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.
    • Forrest Gump: Mama always said 'Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.'
    • Jenny Curran: [Forrest is pushing her toward the car in the rain] Forrest. Forrest. Forrest, stop it, stop it.
    • Forrest Gump: Hello! I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump!
    • Army Recruiter: Nobody gives a hunky shit who you are, puss ball. You're not even a low life-scum-sucking, maggot, get your ass on the bus, you're in the army now!

Forrest Gump : Watch Free on TV


Forrest Gump Trivia


  • what came up on the board when forrest gump was playing football?  Answer »
  • Note the Quote: "I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is"  Answer »
  • "Run, Forrest, run!!!" Is a repeated quote in which award winning movie?  Answer »
  • Name the movie this memorable quote is from: "Life's a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get."   Answer »

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