A Tom Hanks classic is coming to Netflix.
Now 70 years old, Hanks remains active as an actor, recently reprising his voice role as Woody for Toy Story 5 (2026). In recent years, he’s also appeared in films like The Phoenician Scheme (2025), Here (2024), and Freaky Tales (2024), but many of his most iconic movies are from decades past. 1984’s Splash marked Hanks’ big break, and the rest of the decade saw Hanks appearing in films like The Money Pit (1986), Big (1988), and The ‘Burbs (1989), but it was the ’90s that can be considered a true golden era for the actor.
After becoming one of Hanks’ most iconic ’90s films, Sleepless In Seattle is now about to become much easier to watch, with the romantic comedy set to arrive on Netflix in the U.S. on September 1, per What’s on Netflix. The film is currently streaming on MGM+ and the Roku Channel, but Netflix should put the title in front of a much larger audience.
Sleepless In Seattle Was Just The Beginning For 90s Tom Hanks
Directed by Nora Ephron and released in 1993, Sleepless in Seattle marks one of the most beloved Hanks movies of the 1990s. The film arrived one year after A League of Their Own (1992), another Hanks classic, and these two films marked the start of a truly powerful decade for the legendary actor.
In the years that followed, Hanks would star in Philadelphia (1993), Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Toy Story (1995), Saving Private Ryan (1998), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), and The Green Mile (1999). Many of these films could also be considered iconic, with Toy Story remaining one of the most beloved children’s movies ever made, and Saving Private Ryan widely considered in the upper echelon of war cinema.
Though Hanks’ big break occurred in the ’80s, it’s arguably the above collection of ’90s movies that cemented him as one of the most beloved and important movie stars in Hollywood. Sleepless in Seattle played a crucial role in this upward trajectory.
In addition to remaining an important film for Hanks, Sleepless in Seattle is also a seminal entry in the romantic comedy genre. Also starring Meg Ryan, Sleepless in Seattle features Hanks as Sam, a grieving widower whose son calls a national radio show to help his father find love again.
The movie may have a somewhat lukewarm 75% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, but it was a major box office hit. Produced on a budget of $21 million, Sleepless in Seattle grossed an impressive $227.9 million worldwide at the box office, suggesting it connected with audiences in a major way.
Sleepless in Seattle was praised for the strong chemistry between Hanks and Ryan, as well as for its charming tone. These elements have helped to make the movie an enduring comfort watch, increasing its reach beyond just the ’90s. Though opinions will differ regarding Hanks’ most iconic ’90s role, Sleepless in Seattle is evidently a major contender.
- Release Date
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June 24, 1993
- Runtime
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105 minutes
- Director
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Nora Ephron
- Writers
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David S. Ward, Nora Ephron, Jeff Arch
- Producers
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Gary Foster