Tom Hanks doesn't really do "quiet" years anymore. If you've been wondering what is the new Tom Hanks movie, the answer isn't just one title—it's a whole wave of projects that feel like a "greatest hits" tour mixed with some wild new experiments.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
Right now, in early 2026, the big talk is about the Greyhound sequel, which is finally moving into production. But we also just came off the back of Here, that trippy, de-aged Robert Zemeckis film that had everyone arguing on Twitter. Then there's the looming shadow of Toy Story 5.
Basically, if you like the guy who played Forrest Gump, your 2026 calendar is looking pretty full.
The Big One: Greyhound 2 and the Return of Captain Krause
If you haven't seen the first Greyhound on Apple TV+, you're missing out on Hanks in his "dad of the navy" element. It was a massive hit for Apple during the pandemic, and they aren't letting that momentum die.
Production for the sequel—officially being called Greyhound 2 for now—is slated to kick off in January 2026. This isn't just a "paycheck" movie for him; Hanks actually wrote the screenplay himself. He's obsessed with WWII history. Like, "owns a thousand vintage typewriters and probably knows the bolt size of a 1943 destroyer" obsessed.
This time around, the story moves away from the freezing North Atlantic. We're heading to the Pacific Theater. It picks up after the Normandy invasion, following Captain Ernest Krause as he navigates the brutal waters of the Pacific. Expect a lot of sonar pings and Hanks looking intensely at maps.
Aaron Schneider is back to direct, and Stephen Graham is reportedly returning too. It feels like Apple is trying to build a "Hanks WWII Cinematic Universe" between this and the Masters of the Air series they did together.
Wes Anderson and the "Phoenician" Connection
Now, if you want something a bit weirder than a war movie, keep an eye out for The Phoenician Scheme.
Technically, it hit some screens in late 2025, but it's still the "new" thing people are catching up on in 2026. It’s a Wes Anderson joint. If you saw Asteroid City, you know Hanks fits into that quirky, symmetrical world surprisingly well.
In this one, he’s part of a massive ensemble cast that includes Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson. It’s an espionage black comedy about a billionaire and his daughter (who happens to be a nun). Hanks plays a character that’s a bit more "character actor" than "leading man," which is a refreshing pivot for him.
What Is the New Tom Hanks Movie Everyone's Nervous About?
That would be Toy Story 5.
Disney and Pixar officially put this on the calendar for June 19, 2026. Look, I know what you’re thinking. Toy Story 4 felt like the end. Toy Story 3 definitely felt like the end. Yet, here we are.
Tom Hanks is officially back as the voice of Woody, alongside Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear. Andrew Stanton, the guy who gave us Finding Nemo and WALL-E, is directing and writing this one.
There’s a lot of skepticism. Can they really find a new story worth telling? Or is this just a way to sell more plastic cowboys? Either way, it’s going to be the biggest movie of the summer. It’s Tom Hanks. It’s Pixar. It’s basically a license to print money.
The Elephant in the Room: The Reception of "Here"
We can't talk about the "new" Hanks era without mentioning Here. It was the big 2024/2025 release that reunited the Forrest Gump team—Hanks, Robin Wright, and Robert Zemeckis.
It was... divisive.
They used this "Metaphysic Live" AI tech to de-age Hanks and Wright in real-time. The whole movie takes place from a single, fixed camera angle in one room over hundreds of years. Some critics called it a "disingenuous disaster," while others thought it was a poetic masterpiece.
If you missed it in theaters (and most people did, since it kind of flopped), it’s been killing it on Netflix lately. It’s worth a watch just to see 20-year-old Tom Hanks again, even if the "uncanny valley" effect makes your brain itch a little.
The History Buff Strikes Again
Hanks isn't just staying in front of the camera. In January 2026, a massive 20-part documentary series called World War II with Tom Hanks started rolling out on Sky HISTORY and The HISTORY Channel.
🔗 Read more: Why Black Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fans Are Changing the Franchise
He’s hosting and narrating. It uses a ton of never-before-seen archival footage. You can tell this is his passion project. He once said that every adult in his life growing up just referred to "The War," and he’s spent his career trying to document what that meant.
Why the "New" Tom Hanks Is Different
He’s 69 now. He’s reached that "Elder Statesman" of Hollywood phase where he only does exactly what he wants.
- The Writing Phase: He's writing more (like Greyhound 2).
- The Tech Phase: He's experimenting with AI and de-aging (like Here).
- The Legacy Phase: He's returning to Woody for a fifth time.
It’s an odd mix of playing it safe and taking huge swings. Most actors his age are either retired or doing straight-to-DVD action movies. Hanks is out here trying to reinvent how movies are filmed while also voicing a toy he first played thirty years ago.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve, here is how to navigate the upcoming Hanks slate:
- Watch Greyhound on Apple TV+ now. If you haven't seen the first one, the sequel won't make much sense emotionally. It’s a tight, 90-minute thriller.
- Give "Here" a chance on streaming. Don't pay theater prices for it, but if you have Netflix, it’s a fascinating experiment in digital acting.
- Mark June 2026 for Toy Story 5. If you have kids (or just nostalgia), this is the one that will dominate the conversation.
- Check out "The Phoenician Scheme" for a vibe shift. It’s the least "Tom Hanks-y" movie he’s done in years, and that’s a good thing.
The man isn't slowing down. Whether he's a CGI cowboy, a de-aged 1960s teen, or a grizzled Navy captain, Tom Hanks is still the closest thing we have to a "Dad of the Movies."
Next Step: You should check out the latest production stills from the Greyhound 2 set in Sydney—they recently leaked a first look at the new Pacific-bound USS Keeling.