10 Greatest Ever Tom Hanks Movie Performances

10. Multiple Memorable Characters - Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is a hidden gem in the filmography of Tom Hanks, often overlooked but a sprawling incredibly ambitious tale with a stellar cast. Hanks, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent all delight in playing six different characters dating back from the Pacific Island in 1846 to the post-apocalyptic Big Isle in 2321.

While it may not be one of the most acclaimed films of Hanks' career it does boast several great performances from the actor. It is not often we get to see the Hollywood nice guy play a character as despicable as Henry Goose, a Doctor who slowly poisons a shipmate over weeks at sea in an attempt to steal his gold.

Only Tom Hanks could bring such humanity and weight to Zachry a weary survivor who speaks a gibberish futuristic language with lines such as "Adam, my bro' by law, n' his son n' me be trekkin' back from Honokaa Market." The less said about Hanks' attempt at a Cockney accent as he plays gangster Dermot Hoggins, complete with a skinhead and sideburns, the better.

This movie shows that even in his 50s Hanks is still prepared to take chances and risk making a fool of himself with a huge swing and potential miss than play it safe with all his roles.