15 Young Actors Who Could be the Next Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks built a career on range, reliability, and warmth across comedy, drama, romance, and family hits. He carried box office juggernauts, anchored intimate character studies, and became a trusted face for audiences of all ages while collecting major awards along the way. His filmography runs from early comedies like ‘Splash’ and ‘Big’ to emotional landmarks like ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘Forrest Gump’ to prestige epics such as ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and to family favorites like ‘Toy Story’.
The actors below already show those building blocks in their own careers. They lead franchises and originals, jump between genres, take on biographical roles, work in television as well as film, and pick projects that connect with broad audiences. Each profile highlights the concrete steps they have taken that echo the balance of versatility, likability, and staying power that has defined Tom Hanks.
Timothée Chalamet
Chalamet earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Call Me by Your Name’ and followed it with key roles in ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Little Women’. He has led large scale tentpoles with ‘Dune’ and returned in ‘Dune: Part Two’, then shifted to musical fantasy as the title character in ‘Wonka’.
His filmography mixes literary adaptations, auteur driven dramas, and family friendly hits. He also takes on offbeat work like ‘Bones and All’, which shows comfort with risk while maintaining broad appeal through big studio releases.
Tom Holland
Holland headlined the Spider Man trilogy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and appeared in crossover event films that set major box office marks. Outside superheroes, he drew notice in disaster drama ‘The Impossible’, voiced a lead in Pixar’s ‘Onward’, and took challenging material in ‘Cherry’.
He moves between action, animation, and grounded character work and has carried a global franchise while continuing to explore smaller scale projects. His stage background and physical skills support both comedy and emotion in varied roles on film and television such as ‘The Crowded Room’.
Paul Mescal
Mescal broke out on television with ‘Normal People’ and received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Aftersun’. He has balanced intimate indies like ‘Carmen’ and ‘Foe’ with prominent turns in acclaimed dramas such as ‘All of Us Strangers’.
He also brings stage credentials through a prize winning run in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. His choices point to sustained collaboration with top directors and to leading roles that foreground empathy and interior life.
Austin Butler
Butler earned an Academy Award nomination for portraying Elvis Presley in ‘Elvis’ and won major awards for that performance. He moved into large scale science fiction with a central role in ‘Dune: Part Two’ and took on World War II action in ‘Masters of the Air’.
His path includes early television work and supporting roles in films like ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ that built toward marquee status. He has shown commitment to physical and vocal transformation while maintaining a presence in projects that reach wide audiences.
Glen Powell
Powell played a standout supporting role in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and then led a surprise hit romcom with ‘Anyone But You’. He co wrote and starred in ‘Hit Man’, teaming with Richard Linklater for a blend of humor and character driven crime caper, and he fronted aviation drama ‘Devotion’.
His slate bridges crowd pleasing entertainment and creative authorship. He has experience in television with ‘Scream Queens’ and in streaming features, and he has emerged as a dependable lead who handles action, romance, and witty dialogue.
Dev Patel
Patel launched to global attention with ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and later earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Lion’. He has headlined distinctive features like ‘The Green Knight’ and delivered newsroom drama on television with ‘The Newsroom’.
He expanded his skill set further by writing, directing, and starring in ‘Monkey Man’. His career shows fluency in adventure, drama, and romance along with a behind the camera perspective that supports thoughtful project choices.
Taron Egerton
Egerton introduced himself as a big screen lead with the ‘Kingsman’ films and then portrayed Elton John in ‘Rocketman’, performing the songs himself and earning major awards recognition. He has continued to work across mediums by leading the crime series ‘Black Bird’.
He alternates between high energy action, musical biography, and lighthearted sports fare like ‘Eddie the Eagle’. Voice work in the ‘Sing’ films adds family appeal to a résumé that already includes both comedic and dramatic leading roles.
Nicholas Hoult
Hoult moved from child stardom in ‘About a Boy’ to ensemble blockbusters through ‘X Men’ entries and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. He played key roles in prestige films such as ‘The Favourite’ and delivered a sharp turn in dark comedy thriller ‘The Menu’.
On television he headlined ‘The Great’ and earned major award nominations. His credits show staying power across decades and comfort with satire, romance, and adventure, which positions him well for long term leading man work.
John Boyega
Boyega led with heart and humor in ‘Attack the Block’ and became a global star as Finn in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. He won a Golden Globe for his role in ‘Small Axe’ and anchored socially charged dramas including ‘Detroit’ and ‘Breaking’.
He has worked in sci fi, historical drama, and character driven thrillers while collaborating with top filmmakers. His track record shows audience connection in blockbusters and critical recognition on television and in independent film.
Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
Harrison delivered breakout performances in ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’ and contributed to ensemble dramas like ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’. He stepped into biographical territory with the title role in ‘Chevalier’ and appeared in musical period pieces including ‘Cyrano’ and ‘Elvis’.
His choices highlight range across contemporary issues, period storytelling, and music centered narratives. He has steadily built a portfolio of leading and pivotal supporting roles that emphasize precision and poise.
Jeremy Allen White
White earned top television honors for ‘The Bear’ and previously spent years refining grounded comedy and drama on ‘Shameless’. He transitioned to a major film lead with ‘The Iron Claw’, adding sports biopic intensity to his body of work.
His career demonstrates commitment to character detail on the small screen and the ability to carry emotionally demanding features. That combination of familiarity and depth aligns with audience friendly stories that still deliver weight.
Will Poulter
Poulter has touched comedy with ‘We’re the Millers’, dystopian adventure in ‘The Maze Runner’, and frontier survival in ‘The Revenant’. He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ and explored interactive storytelling in ‘Black Mirror’ entry ‘Bandersnatch’.
He has also taken on limited series work with ‘Dopesick’, which showcased pharmaceutical crisis drama. The variety across blockbuster franchises, prestige films, and ambitious television formats underlines steady and adaptable growth.
George MacKay
MacKay led the war epic ‘1917’ with an immersive one mission performance. He has balanced that with ensemble drama in ‘Captain Fantastic’ and historical crime in ‘True History of the Kelly Gang’.
He continues to work in grounded political and period stories such as ‘Munich The Edge of War’ while remaining active in independent cinema. His résumé mixes physically demanding roles with quiet character pieces, a blend that supports long horizon leading roles.
Jack Quaid
Quaid anchors the television hit ‘The Boys’ while also voicing animated favorites with ‘Star Trek Lower Decks’ and ‘My Adventures with Superman’. On the big screen he appeared in horror revival ‘Scream’ and portrayed Richard Feynman in ‘Oppenheimer’.
He crosses between satire, superhero action, animation, and prestige cinema and maintains a likeable screen presence across formats. His background combines franchise visibility with voice work that reaches younger audiences.
Jacob Elordi
Elordi gained a teen audience with ‘The Kissing Booth’ films and shifted to gritty ensemble drama on television with ‘Euphoria’. He played Elvis Presley in ‘Priscilla’ and starred in ‘Saltburn’, which added psychological drama to his credits.
He has moved from youth oriented romance to auteur driven features and biographical roles, building a portfolio that spans tone and scale. This mix of mainstream appeal and ambitious choices sets a foundation for durable leading roles.
Share the names you would add to this list in the comments and tell us who you think best captures that Tom Hanks mix of range and reliability.