Since the days of classic monster movies and science fiction tales, Hollywood has shown its strength in the make-up department many times over. Make-up, prosthetics, and practical effects have all been key to allowing actors to undergo a physical transformation into a character. While films like Maestro and The Lord of the Rings have good uses of minimalist, subtle make-up that leaves actors recognizable, others leave little to no trace of the person behind the character.

Great make-up can often be the most impressive part of a film, and some masters of the craft help actors become new people for their roles. For audiences, learning that one of their favorite actors was hidden in plain sight can make a film all the more intriguing. Ranging from well-written biopics to terrifying horror movies, these films can bring out the best in the talent of transforming actors.

10 Tom Cruise Embraced The Parody Of Les Grossman

Tropic Thunder follows a group of Hollywood actors in the jungles of Vietnam as they set out in the hopes of making the most realistic war movie ever. However, when they enter the "Golden Triangle," a focal point of the drug trade, the leading star gets kidnapped, prompting a rescue mission from his co-stars. As this happens, the film's profane, threatening producer, Les Grossman, gets involved, though he's of little help. Played by Tom Cruise, Grossman was an amalgamation of real Hollywood executives and is one of the film's best characters.

Cruise was famously very enthusiastic about playing the role, with his only requests being that his character have "fat hands" and that he dance. With his heavy-set build, glasses, and balding head, it's actually hard to see Tom Cruise behind the character, and were it not for his voice, would be easy to miss entirely.

9 Gary Oldman Became The Mutilated Mason Verger

After the popularity of The Silence of the Lambs, Anthony Hopkins reprised his role as Hannibal Lecter in 2001's Hannibal. The film follows Clarice Starlin's hunt for the cannibal, who has assumed a new identity in Rome. However, the villain is also pursued by Mason Verger, a wealthy man who had been manipulated by Lecter earlier in life, leading to him mutilating himself.

Played by Gary Oldman, Mason Verger is one of the most terrifying parts of Hannibal, as well as a great example of the power of good make-up effects. Verger brings a malevolence to the story that rivals Hannibal himself, as he plans on feeding his old friend to carnivorous pigs. Of all of Gary Oldman's roles, Verger leaves no trace of the actor.

8 Edward Norton Wasn't Credited For His Role As King Baldwin IV

Kingdom of Heaven tells the story of a blacksmith, Balian, who claims his absent father's title as Knight of Ibelin on a quest to Israel. There, he meets the respected Leper King, Baldwin IV. Hoping to unite Christians and Muslims in his rule over Jerusalem, the king seeks the aid of Balian to bring peace to the land as a virtuous knight and defender of the city.

King Baldwin IV spends almost the entire film either masked or veiled, with only a short glimpse of his face following his death. The character's actor isn't actually credited in the film, but he was portrayed by Edward Norton. Neither his face nor voice are recognizable during the film, and it would be easy to watch it and never know Norton was involved.

7 Christian Bale Morphed Into Dick Cheney

Vice is a comedic and dramatized biopic of former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney. In the film, he is portrayed by Christian Bale, who fully adopts the persona of the nation's most divisive VP. Beginning with his struggles with alcohol before entering the world of politics, Cheney gets his life in order and finds work as a White House intern. From there, he begins his climb to Chief of Staff, work with Haliburton, and, later, Vice Presidency and oversight of the war in Iraq.

Christian Bale's ability to take on roles through sometimes shocking body transformations is well-known, and his role as Dick Cheney is no different. Foregoing simple prosthetics, Bale gained weight for the role, trimmed his hair, and became the Vice President. The role remains one of the most impressive impersonations of a public figure on film.

6 Colin Farrell Disappeared Into Penguin

2022's The Batman follows Bruce Wayne in the early days of his career as The Dark Knight when he investigates a slew of murders tied to the Riddler. Along the way, he confronts Penguin, an enforcer for Carmine Falcone, who has a hand in the corruption of Gotham's elite politicians and attorneys, as well as cops. The villain is played by Colin Farrell, who is beyond recognition thanks to make-up and prosthetics.

Colin Farrell's role as Penguin stands out as one of the best parts of The Batman, so popular it actually earned the character a spin-off TV series. Farrell's portrayal is among the best interpretations of the crime lord, something that perfectly channels the character while also bringing something original. Some people who watched the film didn't realize it was Farrell until the credits rolled.

5 Ron Pearlman Is The Definitive Hellboy

Following the character's meteoric success in the '90s comic book industry, Hellboy made his on-screen debut in Guillermo Del Toro's 2004 movie of the same name. The film follows the demonic occult detective as he takes on Rasputin and a sadistic Nazi, to prevent them from summoning an other-dimensional monster. The hero himself is played by Ron Pearlman, in what has become the definitive Hellboy.

Ron Pearlman was a perfect match for Hellboy, both in stature and his delivery of the hero's sarcastic, tough-guy dialogue. The film stands as one of the best examples of make-up being applied to truly match the spirit and design of the original comic, and Pearlman earned respect from comics fans for taking on the role. However, under the layer of red make-up, yellow eyes, and devil horns, the actor disappeared into the superhero.

4 Gary Oldman Was A Brilliant Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill has been the subject of many films, but Darkest Hour is widely considered the definitive take on Britain's treasured wartime leader. With Gary Oldman in the role, the film follows the Prime Minister during the early days of the Second World War, as he takes control of the government and begins to fight Hitler. The film culminates in the leader's rallying cry to Parliament and the nation in his "We shall never surrender!" speech.

Gary Oldman's performance as Winston Churchill was his own, with the actor borrowing from but not directly imitating the wartime leader. With great use of make-up effects, Oldman is completely unrecognizable in the role, something later repeated in his performance as Harry Truman in Oppenheimer.

3 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Was A Terrifying Cobra Commander

Based on the iconic Hasbro toy line, G.I. Joe tells the story of Duke and Ripcord joining the Joes, following an ambush at the hands of the Baroness. From there, they take on the arms manufacturer McCullen and his henchmen. The film also introduces 'the Doctor,' later revealed to be Rex Lewis, who was believed dead earlier in the film. When he reveals that he orchestrated the events, he claims his mantle as Cobra Commander.

The Doctor / Rex Lewis is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Although the actor is recognizable in the role of Rex, the design of his transformation into the Doctor is so good that it's a genuine plot twist when his real persona is revealed. The character channeled the design of a classic, comic book evil scientist.

2 Bill Skarsgard Was A Terrifying Pennywise

Stephen King's It tells the story of a group of friends in the town of Derry, Maine, dubbed "The Losers Club." When local children go missing, the friends come together to investigate, leading to the discovery of the murderous Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Played by Bill Skarsgard, the killer lurks beneath the streets of Derry, where he lures children to eat them.

Bill Skarsgard's portrayal of Pennywise remains the most terrifying adaptation of a Stephen King character, even surpassing Tim Curry's own version. The use of clown make-up plays on a classic fear, and Skarsgard leans into the other-worldly nature of the villain.

1 Heath Ledger Perfected The Role Of Joker

Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy follows Bruce Wayne's life, from a young orphan boy to his journey to becoming Batman. Following his fight with Ra's al Ghul and Scarecrow to protect Gotham, the Caped Crusader fights the Joker in the second film, The Dark Knight. There, the Clown Prince of Crime makes his entrance to Gotham, where he wages war on the city's spirit and takes over the criminal underworld.

Heath Ledger's portrayal as Joker remains the single most iconic part of Nolan's trilogy, even surpassing Batman himself. The actor disappeared into the role so effectively that Michael Caine recalled being terrified when he first saw him in full make-up during the penthouse party scene.