It's practically a given that any actress who steps foot on the Oscars red carpet will look gorgeous, but only a very special and select few can be called "unforgettable."
Now that the 2018 Oscars ceremony is right around the corner (to air Sunday, March 4, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC), we thought it was the perfect time to dig through the archives and unearth the most extraordinary ensembles we've seen in the 88-year history of the Academy Awards red carpet.
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From Marilyn Monroe's cloud of black tulle for the 23rd Academy Awards in 1951 to Lupita Nyong'o's real-life Cinderella moment in a plunging aqua Prada creation in 2014, flash back to the most breathtaking gown to have graced the Oscars red carpet, ever.
Marilyn Monroe, 1951
Grace Kelly, 1955
Uma Thurman, 1995
Nicole Kidman, 1997
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999
Cate Blanchett, 1999
Renee Zellweger, 2001
Julia Roberts, 2001
Kate Winslet, 2002
Reese Witherspoon, 2002
Cameron Diaz, 2002
Jennifer Garner, 2004
Beyoncé, 2005
Beyoncé made her way down the red carpet in a luscious black velvet vintage gown from Atelier Versace.
Hilary Swank, 2005
Keira Knightley, 2006
Michelle Williams, 2006
Jennifer Lopez, 2007
Marion Cotillard, 2008
Freida Pinto, 2009
Sandra Bullock, 2010
Mila Kunis, 2011
Angelina Jolie, 2012
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012
Jennifer Lawrence, 2013
Lupita Nyong'o, 2014
Lupita Nyong’o had a real-life Cinderella moment—she took her red carpet stroll in a sweeping deep-plunge Prada gown fit for a princess, complete with Fred Leighton jewelry, including one gold headband (aka tiara).
Emma Stone, 2015
Emma Stone embraced chartreuse, aka one of the trickiest shades ever. She stunned in a bead-embroidered Elie Saab gown that featured full sleeves and an open back.
Lupita Nyong'o, 2015
With thousands of tiny pearls and a fit that was divine, it’s no surprise that Lupita Nyong'o's Calvin Klein Collection halter dress for the Oscars was later stolen (and returned).
Cate Blanchett, 2016
Blue officially became the color of the night when endorsed by Blanchett and, of course, she chose the most spectacular shade—an icy crystal that picks up the sparkle of her Tiffany & Co. jewels (and also matches the Roger Vivier clutch). Those three-dimensional flowers of her Armani Privé gown added a rare touch of whimsy to the Oscars.
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