Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, tells the story of a simple man who witnesses and influences major historical events in 20th century America. Despite his low IQ, Forrest achieves extraordinary success through kindness, determination, and love. The film won six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Hanks. Its innovative visual effects seamlessly integrated Forrest into historical footage. Phrases like "Life is like a box of chocolates" became cultural touchstones. The film grossed over $678 million, becoming 1994's highest-grossing film.