Entertainment

The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade  

Jules Burke
6.7k votes 1.5k voters 2.5k views 105 items

List Rules Vote up the actors whose 2010s performances will be remembered forever.

Who were the best actors of the 2010s? This list will highlight 2010s actors, from Oscar regulars like Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale to new faces who took the last 10 years by storm, such as Timothée Chalamet. But are they the top 10 actors of 2010s?

As far as film goes, Mark Ruffalo, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Joaquin Phoenix were some of the best actors of the decade. But if you disagree, feel free to vote them down and/or vote up who you think were the greatest actors of the 2010s. Do you think the top 10 actors of the 2010s on this list are accurate? You can also add in your picks for the 2010s best actors. 

Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Denzel Washington were also arguably top actors of 2010s. The best male actors 2010s starred in award-winning dramas like 12 Years a Slave, and genre-defying hits like Get Out. Christoph Waltz and Steve Carrell are some famous actors of 2010s. But the jury is still out for who are the most famous actors of 2010s. 

Whether you’re a fan of Colin Firth, Matthew McConaughey or someone else entirely, don’t hesitate to make your voice heard regarding the best actors 2010s. Vote up who you believe deserves the title of best 2010s actor.

1
Tom Hanks is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2017: Ben Bradlee in The Post

2016: Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger in Sully

2015: James B. Donovan in Bridge of Spies

2013: Captain Richard Phillips in Captain Phillips
2
Christian Bale is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Dick Cheney in Vice (Nominated for Best Actor)

2015: Michael Burry in The Big Short (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2013: Irving Rosenfeld American Hustle (Nominated for Best Actor) 

2012: Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Rises

2010: Dicky Eklund The Fighter (WON Best Supporting Actor)
3
Viggo Mortensen is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Tony Lip in Green Book (Nominated for Best Actor)

2016: Ben Cash in Captain Fantastic (Nominated for Best Actor)

2014: Gunnar Dinesen in Jauja

2014: Chester MacFarland in The Two Faces of January

2011: Sigmund Freud in A Dangerous Method
4
Robert De Niro is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran in The Irishman 

2019: Murray Franklin in Joker

2016: Dick Kelly in Dirty Grandpa

2015: Ben Whittaker in The Intern 

2014: Pat Solitano, Sr. in Silver Linings Playbook (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor) 
5
Hugh Jackman is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Gary Hart in The Front Runner

2017: P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman 

2017: Logan/Wolverine in Logan 

2013: Keller Dover in Prisoners

2012: Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (Nominated for Best Actor)
6
Willem Dafoe is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse

2018: Nuidis Vulko in Aquaman 

2018: Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity's Gate (Nominated for Best Actor) 

2017: Bobby Hicks in The Florida Project (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor) 

2014: J.G. Jopling in The Grand Budapest Hotel
7
Woody Harrelson is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story

2017: Sheriff Bill Willoughby in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2016: Max Bruner in The Edge of Seventeen

2016-2013: Merritt McKinney in Now You See Me series

2015-2012: Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games series
8
Bradley Cooper is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019-2014: Rocket in Marvel Cinematic Universe

2018: Jackson Maine in A Star Is Born (Nominated for Best Actor)

2015: Chris Kyle in American Sniper (Nominated for Best Actor)

2014: Richie DiMaso in American Hustle (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2013: Patrick "Pat" Solitano, Jr. in Silver Linings Playbook (Nominated for Best Actor)
9
Ralph Fiennes is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Ben Emmerson in Official Secrets

2016: Laurence Laurentz in Hail, Caesar!

2015-2012: Gareth Mallory/M in James Bond series

2014: Monsieur Gustave H. in The Grand Budapest Hotel

2011-2010: Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
10
Benedict Cumberbatch is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019-2016: Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Cinematic Universe 

2017: Thomas Edison in The Current War

2015: William M. Bulger in Black Mass 

2014: Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (Nominated for Best Actor)

2013: Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate
11
Mark Ruffalo is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019-2012: Bruce Banner in Marvel Cinematic Universe

2015: Michael Rezendes in Spotlight (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor) 

2014: David Schultz in Foxcatcher (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor) 

2013: Dan Mulligan in Begin Again

2010: Paul Hatfield in The Kids Are All Right
12
Jake Gyllenhaal is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Quentin Beck in Spider-Man: Far From Home 

2018: Jerry Brinson in Wildlife

2017: Jeff Bauman in Stronger

2014: Louis "Lou" Bloom in Nightcrawler

2012: Brian Taylor in End of Watch
13
Jude Law is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel

2018: Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

2018: The Manager in Vox Lux

2017: Vortigern in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

2011: Dr. John Watson in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
14
Colin Firth is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Harry Bright in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

2017-2014: Harry Hart/Galahad in Kingsman series

2016: Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Baby

2011: Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

2010: King George VI The King's Speech (WON for Best Actor)
15
Daniel Day-Lewis is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Reynolds Woodcock in Phantom Thread (Nominated for Best Actor) 

2012: Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (WON for Best Actor) 
16
Javier Bardem is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2017: Him in Mother!

2017: Pablo Escobar in Loving Pablo 

2017: Armando Salazar in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

2012: Raoul Silva in Skyfall

2010: Uxbal in Biutiful (Nominated for Best Actor) 
17
Tommy Lee Jones is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: H. Clifford McBride in Ad Astra

2017: Leo in Just Getting Started

2017: Joe Galloway in Shock and Awe

2012: Thaddeus Stevens in Lincoln

2011: Colonel Chester Phillips in Captain America: The First Avenger
18
Sam Elliott is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Bobby in A Star Is Born (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2018: Calvin Barr in The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot

2017: Lee Hyaden in The Hero

2015: Bill in I'll See You in My Dreams

2015: Karl in Grandma
19
Matthew McConaughey is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Moondog in The Beach Bum

2014: Cooper in Interstellar

2013: Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club (WON for Best Actor)

2012: Mud in Mud

2011: Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer
20
Joaquin Phoenix is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019: Arthur Fleck in Joker

2017: Joe in You Were Never Really Here

2014: Larry "Doc" Sportello in Inherent Vice

2013: Theodore Twombly in Her 

2012: Freddie Quell in The Master (Nominated for Best Actor)
21
Max von Sydow is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018: Vladimir Petrenko in The Command

2015: Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

2014: Father Celeste van Exem in The Letters

2012: Marketing Guru in Branded

2011: The Renter in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)
22
Michael Shannon is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2017: Richard Strickland in The Shape of Water 

2016: Bobby Andes in Nocturnal Animals (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2016: Roy Tomlin in Midnight Special

2013: General Zod in Man of Steel

2011: Curtis in Take Shelter
23
Philip Seymour Hoffman is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2015-2013: Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games series

2014: Gunther Bachmann in A Most Wanted Man

2012: Lancaster Dodd in The Master (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

2011: Art Howe in Moneyball

2011: Paul Zara in The Ides of March
24
Johnny Depp is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2018-2016: Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts series

2017: Edward Ratchett in Murder on the Orient Express

2015: James 'Whitey' Bulger in Black Mass

2014: Wolf in Into the Woods

2010: Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland
25
Robert Downey Jr. is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Greatest Film Actors Of The Decade

2019-2010: Tony Stark in Marvel Cinematic Universe

2014: Hank Palmer in The Judge

2014: Marvin in Chef

2011: Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2010: Peter Highman in Due Date