Forrest Gump celebrates 30 years + this Hollywood starlet has a special connection to the film

The iconic blockbuster film, Forrest Gump has been dazzling movie fans with the tall tale of one Alabamian whose “life is like a box of chocolates” for a whopping 30 years now.

The flick celebrated its pearl anniversary over the weekend, just in time for one Hollywood starlet to share her story about the film.

Read on for the story of Anya Taylor-Joy’s accidental proposal on the iconic bench.

An accidental proposal on the bench

Anya Taylor-Joy is starring in Mad Max: Furiosa and as part of a press tour, she and Chris Hemsworth sat down with “Letterboxd”—a movie rating site—to discuss their favorite movies.

Anya’s final pick was the favorite of many Alabamians, too: Forrest Gump.

I love that movie. I miss movies like that. Just huge, epic sagas where you feel every emotion under the sun and there’s just like this beautiful poetry underneath it. I love it.

Anya Taylor-Joy

The press tour was in May, but “Letterboxd” reposted it for the anniversary.

But it’s not just the nostalgia of the movie she loved. Co-star Chris Hemsworth asks if “something special” happened on the Forrest Gump bench.

My husband accidentally proposed to me on the Forrest Gump bench in Savannah [Georgia]. Complete accident. He’s a boy from Alabama and I’m blonde. So just happened. I hear that music and I cry like a baby.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya is married to Malcolm McRae, a 30-year-old musician and Birmingham native. The two were secretly married in New Orleans in 2022.

Forrest Gump celebrates 30 years

Released on July 6, 1994, Forrest Gump tells the story of a simple man from the fictional town of Greenbow, Alabama as he lucks his way into playing pivotal roles in major historical events of the 20th century.

Its combination of a killer soundtrack, star-studded casting and incredible themes continue to strike a chord with Americans today.

The film is based on a 1986 novel by Winston Groom.

If this has you needing a rewatch, it’s currently streaming on Pluto TV, Paramount+ and Amazon Prime.

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