The 56 Best Oscars Red Carpet Dresses We'll Never Forget
From Audrey Hepburn to Amy Adams, these looks are unforgettable.
Before the Academy Awards are handed out, before the acceptance speeches and before moments are made into viral memes, we get to see Hollywood's A-list stars walk the Oscars red carpet! Some celebrities spend months searching for the perfect Oscars dresses. They might even have their dress custom-made by one of the world's top high fashion designers, like Amy Adams did for the 2013 Oscars. Others, like Jennifer Lawrence that same year, wait until the morning of the big event to decide what to wear.
Related: The Most Iconic Red Dresses in Film & TV
Red carpet trends come and go, but some looks are unforgettable. From the very first movie stars to today's most fashionable A-listers, launch the gallery for a look at celebrities in the best red carpet dresses and Oscar fashions of all time.
Cate Blanchett opted not to re-wear a gown for the 2023 Oscars. Instead she chose this luxurious Louis Vuitton gown that features a flowing vintage top and sustainable silk skirt. The shimmery gown was definitely a highlight of the red, err champagne, carpet.
History-making actress Michelle Yeoh was an angelic vision in a Dior Couture gown of flowing white at the 2023 Oscars where she collected the Best Actress award.
The Crazy Rich Asian star’s custom Atelier Versace gown had a sweetheart neckline with a crystal trim and romantic pleats in a gorgeous canary yellow. It’s one of those dresses made for twirling that every girl dreams of.
Before Gaga and her A Star is Born co-star Bradley Cooper gave a much-talked-about performance of “Shallow,” which won the award for Best Original Song that night, she stunned on the red carpet in a black Alexander McQueen gown, matching gloves and a Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace you could see from space. The singer looked every bit the movie star in the Breakfast at Tiffany’s-inspired look.
The country music singer traded big hair for a big dress to present at the 2019 Oscars. Her bubblegum pink Giambattista Valli Couture gown had tiers of layered tulle, dramatic sleeves and a crystal bow brooch at the waist.
The Black Panther star looked poised and powerful in a backless Gabriela Hearst gown in a pretty blush shade with an elegant train. Perhaps even more eye-catching was the work by Gurira's hairstylist Vernon Scott, inspired by ancestral tribal African design.
Bullock was appropriately statuesque in a shimmering Louis Vuitton gown for the 2018 Oscars. She presented the award for Cinematography to Roger A. Deakins for his work on Blade Runner 2049.
At the 90th Oscars, Jennifer Garner showed off her toned arms in a royal blue Atelier Versace gown with an asymmetrical neckline that flowed into a sweeping train.
All eyes were on the Hidden Figures and Moonlight actress in a fairy tale-inspired Elie Saab Haute Couture gown. Her stylist Maeve Reilly told Voguethat it was, “go big or go home” for the singer’s first Oscars appearance.
Moana actress Auli'i Cravalho shined in a white Rubin Singer gown at the 89th Oscars. The gown moved beautifully with a unique fan pattern with gold stitching. The 16-year-old changed into a simple red gown later to perform "How Far I'll Go" from the Disney animated film (which was nominated for Best Animated Feature) with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Hidden Figures star Taraji P. Henson channeled old-school glamour in this curve-hugging custom gown in a deep blue velvet by Alberta Ferreti. Hidden Figures was nominated for Best Picture that night, and Henson's co-star Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.
Larson took home the award for Best Actress for Room at the 2016 Oscars. She looked modern and sophisticated in a bright blue ruffled Gucci gown with a bejeweled belt.
Cate Blanchett was spring incarnate at the 88th Annual Academy Awards in this dreamy Armani gown covered with floral embellishments. The actress was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Carol.
Robbie gave off glam retro vibes in a black Saint Laurent gown with sheer sleeves and a plunging neckline, accented by an antique statement necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels which she told Ryan Seacrest, “is worth more than my life.” The Australian actress presented the award for Technical Achievement and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award.
Johansson sported an edgy buzzed haircut with an equally daring look to the 2015 Oscars where she was a presenter. She paired her emerald Versace halter gown with a matching statement necklace, ear cuff and earrings of different lengths.
Osbourne rocked a black vintage-style Rita Vinieris gown and her signature lilac hair on the red 2015 Oscars red carpet. TheFashion Police host left the show just days after cohost Giuliana Rancic’s controversial comments about Zendaya’s hairstyle at the awards show.
Ferrera looked like she was floating on air in an elegant ombré chiffon Jenny Packham dress with a silver belt twisted straps that gave it a Grecian touch. She lent her voice to How to Train Your Dragon 2, nominated for Best Animated Feature Film (the award went to Big Hero 6).
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Birdman at the 2015 Oscars, Stone rocked an Elie Saab gown in an unconventional chartreause color that was a perfect complement to her red hair.
Nyong'o was a modern-day Cinderella in a stunning light blue Prada gown, sparkly earrings and headband. It was surely a fairytale night, as she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.
The year Frozen won Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song ("Let It Go") at the Oscars, Kate Hudson resembled a glam ice queen in a low-cut Atelier Versace gown with a dramatic cape.
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Master, Amy Adams elicited many "oohs" and "aahs" in this gray-blue Oscar de la Renta gown with a full tulle train, which she helped design.
Though she stumbled while trying to get on stage to accept her award for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook, people mostly remember how amazing Jennifer Lawrence looked in this strapless Dior gown.
Streep won the gold statue for Best Actress for The Iron Lady at the 2012 Academy Awards. Perhaps she willed it to happen in this incredible gold Lanvin gown.
This Zuhair Murad creation with a plunging neckline hugged every curve of superstar Jennifer Lopez's enviable figure at the 84th Annual Academy Awards.
Who could forget Angelina Jolie's black Versace gown with a thigh-high slit from the 2012 Oscars? Countless memes were created after she bared her right leg that night while supporting then-husband Brad Pitt for his nomination for Best Actor for Moneyball.
Spencer’s hand-beaded Tadashi Shoji gown took 1,000 hours of work by 10 people. She got to show it off a second time when she walked onstage to accept her award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Help.
The Black Swan star glowed in a deep purple, off-the-shoulder Rodarte gown that flowed over her baby bump. Portman won Best Actress in a Leading Role that year for her portrayal of the prima ballerina in the psychological thriller.
Portman’s Black Swan co-star was also on the best dressed list that night, in a romantic, lacy, lavender Elie Saab gown.
Avatar star Zoe Saldana took a risk that paid off at the 2010 Oscars. Her bold Givenchy Haute Couture gown had a sparkly top with a voluminous purple ombre train. Avatar took home three of its nine nominations that night, including awards for Visual Effects, Cinematography and Art Direction.
Hathaway was nominated for Best Actress for Rachel Getting Married at the 2009 Oscars. She dazzled in a bejeweled strapless Giorgio Armani gown.
In 2009, Slumdog Millionare took home 8 wins from 10 nominations, including Oscars for Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing, Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Directing and Film Editing. Star of the film Freida Pinto wore a gorgeous blue John Galliano with one sheer sleeve.
The year she took home the Oscar for Best Actress for La Vie en Rose, Marion Cotillard wore this shimmering mermaid-inspired gown by Jean Paul Gaultier.
Also nominated for Best Actress at the 2007 Oscars, Kate Winslet stood out in a color not seen often on the red carpet, a pretty mint green that made the Valentino gown especially memorable.
That same year, Penelope Cruz was nominated for Best Actress for Volver and worked magic on the red carpet in a strapless champagne Versace gown with a feathered train.
Kidman brought the drama to the 79th Academy Awards in a bright red Balenciaga gown with a large bow at the neck. She got to show it off again when she and Daniel Craig presented the Oscar for Art Direction, which went to Pan's Labyrinth.
Queen Bey showed off a little leg in a green Armani Privé gown with a beaded asymmetrical strap while supporting her Dreamgirls co-star Jennifer Hudson, who took home the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Williams was nominated for (but didn't win) Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Brokeback Mountain at the 78th Academy Awards. But she stole the spotlight in an unforgettable yellow Vera Wang gown with gorgeous draping and short ruffled sleeves.
Knightley stunned in 2016 with a one-shoulder burgundy gown that was custom-made for her by designer Vera Wang. Paired with a vintage Bulgari bib necklace, Knightley landed on nearly every best dressed list but not the list of winners. Knightley was nominated for Best Actress for Pride & Prejudice.
Swank took home the Oscar for Best Actress for Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards. She showed off her fit physique in a backless navy gown by Guy Laroche.
Theron went for Old Hollywood glam in a strappy, sparkling gown by Gucci during the 76th Annual Academy Awards, where she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Monster.
Hayek, nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in Frida, didn’t let a wardrobe malfunction ruin her big night. She revealed that her ample backside had caused her original gown to split at the seams the night before the ceremony. Luckily, fellow Best Actress nominee Renee Zellweger (Chicago) lent her a classy Carolina Herrera gown with a black lace bodice and white A-line skirt. Nicole Kidman took home the award that night for her role in The Hours.
Bennifer was in full swing when JLO wore this stunning one-shoulder, mint green Valentino gown reminiscent of one worn by Jackie Onassis while visiting Cambodia in 1967. Lopez accessorized her updated gown with matching eye shadow and blingy earrings.
Halle Berry became the first black woman to receive an Oscar for Best Actress at the 2002 Academy Awards, for her role in Monster's Ball. She also made history by wearing what became one of the most iconic Oscars dresses, an Elie Saab creation with a sheer top and floral appliques.
Diaz worked the red carpet at the 74th Annual Academy Awards in a bohemian Emanuel Ungaro gown that she accessorized with a 19th-century Indian necklace from Fred Leighton worn around her waist.
On the night Julia Roberts won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role Erin Brockovich, she was also best dressed in this couture velvet and satin Valentino gown.
Gwyneth Paltrow looked like a princess as she accepted her Oscar for best actress for Shakespeare in Love in a pink Ralph Lauren ballgown accessorized with a diamond choker.
Hurley dazzled in a sparkly, strappy, form-fitting Versace gown at the Oscars the year Forrest Gump won the award for Best Picture and Disney’s The Lion King won the awards for Original Score and Original Song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Cher has worn several standout designs by Bob Mackie through the years, and this one was no exception. She left little to the imagination in a black sheer gown with strategically placed beads while accepting her Oscar for Best Actress for Moonlight.
Never not glamorous, Diana Ross dazzled in a sequined red long-sleeve gown with a bright white fur stole.
Hutton's big, loose curls and flowing rainbow-colored Halston gown epitomized easy-going '70s glamour.
Streisand's first Oscar win was for Best Actress at the 41st Academy Awards for her portrayal of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. The award ended up being a tie with Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter, but Streisand won on the fashion front in a sheer black pantsuit with a sweet bow at the neckline.
Elizabeth Taylor was hard to miss in this Christian Dior gown with a rosebud belt when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for Butterfield 8.
The femme fatale was the epitome of glam in a sequin gown, tiara, white fur and matching gloves. Gardner was supporting her film On the Beach (1959), which was nominated for Film Editing and Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture—both awards went to Ben-Hur.
At the 27th Academy Awards, Kelly took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Georgie Elgin in The Country Girl. She was the vision of elegance in a strappy light blue Edith H gown with elbow-length gloves.
When Audrey Hepburn won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Princess Anne in Roman Holiday, she turned on the charm in a belted boatneck Givenchy dress.
A popular silent film actor, Pickford was one of the very first true movie stars. She was the second Best Actress Oscar winner, which she won for Coquette (1929), and the first acting winner for a sound feature. Pickford accepted her award in a beaded gown with the drop-waist silhouette popular at the time.