Forrest Gump was the surprise hit of the 1994 summer movie season. The film traces the life of a half-wit through the major historical events of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. It features Tom Hanks as the loveable Forrest Gump and Robin Wright (Claire Underwood in House Of Cards) as Forrest's insecure girlfriend Jenny.
Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. The film garnered for seven Golden Globe Award nominations, winning three of them, including Best Actor Motion Picture Drama, Best Director Motion Picture, and Best Motion Picture Drama. The film was also nominated for six Saturn Awards and won two for Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor (Film). The film also won the Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects award at the 1995 BAFTA Film Awards.
Forrest Gump received numerous other awards such as one win from the Screen Actors Guild Awards in its first year for Tom Hanks in a total of four nominations.
The film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in the United States National Film Registry in 2011, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The movie has made multiple American Film Institute lists including the quote "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." ranking 40th on 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. The film ranked 240 on Empire's list of the 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time. The chain of restaurants, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company opened based on the film, and has opened many locations since its founding.
The score was composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri and was nominated for Best Original Score in the 67th Academy Awards.