Nineteen years ago today, on July 6, 1994, one of the great American epics was released. "Forrest Gump" became a staple of movie culture, producing one of the most indelible title characters of all time. Tom Hanks went on to win his second consecutive Oscar for the performance, and "Gump" has seen been catalogued in Americana via countless television re-airings, a themed chain restaurant and a coveted spot in the United States National Film Registry.
Based on the 1986 novel by William Groom, "Gump" held the No. 1 spot at the box office for a whopping 10 consecutive weeks, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of all time after earning $677.4 million worldwide. It currently holds on to the No. 60 spot on the list.
The movie has since become a dividing point in American pop culture. Despite its historical stature, many critics and even some fans have lambasted the film's immense adoration. Some feel it's a saccharine melodrama that is far inferior to "Pulp Fiction," its chief competition for that year's Best Picture Oscar.
Still, at No. 71 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies countdown, the movie is an undeniable piece of pop culture history, even if not all audiences find it as sweet as a "box of chocolates." Join us in recalling the "Forrest Gump" premiere and the movie's many accolades in the slideshow below.
Loading Slideshow
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Director Robert Zemeckis (L) holds the Oscar he won as best director for the film "Forrest Gump" as he poses with Steven Spielberg, who presented the award to Zemeckis at the 67th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 27, 1995. "Forrest Gump" won six Oscars, including best picture, best actor and best director.
BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES: Academy Awards nominees for Best Actors John Travolta (L) for "Pulp Fiction" and Tom Hanks (R) for "Forrest Gump" stand with each others wives Rita Wilson (2nd L) and Kelley Preston (2nd R) gather at the Academy Awards luncheon on March 14 at the Beverly Hills Hilton. The 67th Academy Awards were held on March 27.
UNIVERSAL CITY, UNITED STATES: Cast members from the movie "Forrest Gump" pose with the award they won during the 21st Annual People's Choice Awards at Universal City Studios on March 5, 1995. From left are Mykelti Williamson, Gary Sinise and Tom Hanks. Hanks won as best actor in a drama, and the film itself won as best drama and best movie.
BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES: Academy Awards nominee for the best achievement in directing Robert Zemeckis (R) for "Forrest Gump" stands with his wife Maryellen in front of an Oscar statue during the Academy Awards luncheon on March 14, 1995, at the Beverly Hills Hilton.
UNIVERSAL CITY, UNITED STATES: Tom Hanks holds his award for outstanding performance, male actor in a leading role for his part in the movie "Forrest Gump" during the inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards on Feb. 25, 1995, in Los Angeles. Hanks, who is the favorite for best actor at the Academy Awards in March, also holds his first Screen Actors Guild card he got when on the television show "Bosom Buddies."
BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Arthur Hiller (L) and actress Angela Bassett announce Beverly Hills the nominations for Best Picture for the 67th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 14, 1995: 'Forrest Gump' (Paramount) 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (Gramercy Pictures) 'Pulp Fiction' (Miramax) 'Quiz Show' (Buena Vista) 'The Shawshank Redemption' (Columbia)
HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 23: Actress Robin Wright and actor Sean Penn attend the "Forrest Gump" Hollywood premiere on June 23, 1994, at the Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 23: Actor Tom Hanks, actress Sally Field and director Robert Zemeckis attend the "Forrest Gump" Hollywood premiere on June 23, 1994, at the Paramount Studios. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Sally Field arrives at the "Forrest Gump" Los Angeles premiere at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 23: Actor Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson attend the "Forrest Gump" Hollywood premiere on June 23, 1994, at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Eddie Van Halen during "Forrest Gump" Los Angeles Premiere at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Gary Sinese during the "Forrest Gump" Los Angeles premiere at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Sally Field and Tom Hanks during the "Forrest Gump" Los Angeles premiere at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Get Alerts