Tom Hanks's reaction to Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais's opening monologue is perhaps the most succinct way to summarise the response to the comedian's jokes, which left even Brad Pitt looking a little uneasy.

Gervais — who has since said the reaction to this opening foray was the "best ever" — has a track record for making controversial jokes, particularly at the expense celebrities, so the mood was somewhat tense as he stepped up to the microphone.

Pitt appeared to be bracing for a blow when the camera cut to him as the comedian commented on how "dolled up" everyone looked.

But he escaped unscathed.

The punchline came shortly after when Gervais took a stab at Felicity Huffman, who spent time in prison this year for her role in the college admissions scandal.

"I came here in a limo tonight and the licence plate was made by Felicity Huffman," he said.

It left Tom Hanks speechless — a reaction that has been immortalised in GIF-form, which will no doubt be utilised for many memes to come.

Next on Gervais' hit list was disgraced former high-flyer and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Riffing off Gervais' own Netflix show After Life, about a man who wants to kill himself, he said: "Spoiler alert, Season 2 is on the way, so in the end he obviously doesn't kill himself … just like Jeffrey Epstein."

A few boos didn't put him off: "Shut up. I know he's your friend, but I don't care," Gervais quipped.

But the risque joke that almost brought him undone he saved right until the end of his monologue, when he took a swing at the film Cats.

"I can't do this next joke," he laughed.

He joked that Dame Judi Dench defended the film, adding: "Because she loves nothing better than plonking herself down on the carpet, lifting her leg, and licking her own [crotch]."

(We're too shy, but if you want to fill in the blank that left Gwyneth in stitches, watch the video at the top of this story.)

Gervais laughed it off saying: "It's the last time, who cares."

The well-dressed celebrities weren't the only ones in the firing line.

Mega corporations weren't safe either, as Gervais unleashed on Apple, Amazon and Disney's forays into the streaming game.

"If ISIS started a streaming service, you'd call your agent," he said.

"If you do win an award tonight, don't use it as a platform to make a political speech ... you know nothing about the real world.

"Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.

"If you win … thank your agent, thank your God and f*** off."

Epic movies that stretched for hours, like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, also took a hit.

"Leonardo DiCaprio attended the premiere and by the end his date was too old for him," he said.

"Even Prince Andrew's like: 'Come on Leo mate, you're nearly 50 son.'"

He also took a swipe at legendary director Martin Scorsese, over controversial comments he made earlier this year saying Marvel films weren't "cinema" and were "closer to theme parks than movies".

Gervais said he agreed, adding: "Although I don't know what he's doing hanging around theme parks, he's not big enough to go on the rides."