diff --git a/doc/builtins.rst b/doc/builtins.rst
index 4ac0e0fd..f2161ca2 100644
--- a/doc/builtins.rst
+++ b/doc/builtins.rst
@@ -491,10 +491,17 @@ attribute to some new image name::
 
 Actors have all the same attributes and methods as :ref:`Rect <rect>`,
 including methods like `.colliderect()`__ which can be used to test whether
-two actors have collided.
+two actors have collided. This is quick but imperfect collision detection.
 
 .. __: https://www.pygame.org/docs/ref/rect.html#pygame.Rect.colliderect
 
+Additionally, collisions between actors can be checked more precisely by
+calling ``actor1.collidemask(actor2)``. This checks collision down to the
+pixel level, meaning that if the rects of two actors overlap but their
+images don't actually intersect, a collision won't be reported. This is
+a lot more precise but also more work to check for. If coarse detection
+is fine, always use ``.colliderect()``. If you need high precision, use
+``.collidemask()`` only where it is necessary.
 
 Positioning Actors
 ''''''''''''''''''
diff --git a/src/pgzero/actor.py b/src/pgzero/actor.py
index e8697e9f..863df7bc 100644
--- a/src/pgzero/actor.py
+++ b/src/pgzero/actor.py
@@ -111,14 +111,20 @@ class Actor:
 
     def _build_transformed_surf(self):
         cache_len = len(self._surface_cache)
+        # Note if the surface to be displayed has changed.
+        surf_changed = False
         if cache_len == 0:
             last = self._orig_surf
         else:
             last = self._surface_cache[-1]
         for f in self.function_order[cache_len:]:
+            surf_changed = True  # We note that we have to change the mask.
             new_surf = f(self, last)
             self._surface_cache.append(new_surf)
             last = new_surf
+        # If the actor has a mask, it is updated.
+        if self._mask and surf_changed:
+            self._mask = pygame.mask.from_surface(self._surface_cache[-1])
         return self._surface_cache[-1]
 
     def __init__(self, image, pos=POS_TOPLEFT, anchor=ANCHOR_CENTER, **kwargs):
@@ -327,6 +333,7 @@ def image(self, image):
         self._image_name = image
         self._orig_surf = loaders.images.load(image)
         self._surface_cache.clear()  # Clear out old image's cache.
+        self._mask = None
         self._update_pos()
 
     def _update_pos(self):
@@ -361,5 +368,38 @@ def distance_to(self, target):
         dy = ty - myy
         return sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy)
 
+    def _create_mask(self):
+        """Gives the actor a mask from the surface that is displayed."""
+        if not self._surface_cache:
+            self._mask = pygame.mask.from_surface(self._orig_surf)
+        else:
+            self._mask = pygame.mask.from_surface(self._surface_cache[-1])
+
+    def collidemask(self, target):
+        """Returns True if the actor's mask is colliding with the targets'.
+        Masks are only created and checked when necessary."""
+        # Check if the target is an actor and thus suitable.
+        if not isinstance(target, Actor):
+            raise TypeError("collidemask() can only be used with other actors,"
+                            "not with a value of type '{}'."
+                            .format(type(target)))
+
+        # If the rects don't collide, exit early.
+        if not self.colliderect(target):
+            return False
+
+        # Create masks that are not yet present.
+        if not self._mask:
+            self._create_mask()
+        if not target._mask:
+            target._create_mask()
+
+        # Calculate the positional offsets of both actors.
+        x_offset = int(target.left - self.left)
+        y_offset = int(target.top - self.top)
+
+        # Check for pixel perfect collision
+        return self._mask.overlap(target._mask, (x_offset, y_offset))
+
     def unload_image(self):
         loaders.images.unload(self._image_name)
diff --git a/test/test_actor.py b/test/test_actor.py
index b74410c4..7adc687a 100644
--- a/test/test_actor.py
+++ b/test/test_actor.py
@@ -146,3 +146,29 @@ def test_dir_correct(self):
         a = Actor("alien")
         for attribute in dir(a):
             a.__getattr__(attribute)
+
+    def test_mask_collision(self):
+        """Collisions are detected with masks in use."""
+        a1 = Actor("alien")
+        # For some reason, this is necessary if actors are not drawn but
+        # collisions should be checked.
+        a1.pos = (0, 0)
+        a2 = Actor("alien")
+        a2.angle = 180
+        # Since nothing is drawn, the surface has to be updated manually to
+        # reflect rotation.
+        a2._build_transformed_surf()
+        # Collision is detected.
+        self.assertIsNotNone(a1.collidemask(a2))
+
+    def test_mask_no_collision(self):
+        """Even if rects overlap, masks correctly report no collision if no
+        pixels overlap."""
+        a1 = Actor("alien")
+        a1.pos = (0, 0)
+        a2 = Actor("alien")
+        a2.angle = 180
+        a2._build_transformed_surf()
+        a2.pos = (10, 87)
+        # No collision is detected.
+        self.assertIsNone(a1.collidemask(a2))