The Oscars are one of the most watched red carpet events in the world. It’s that one place in Hollywood where fans can always expect to see some of the most unique, dramatic looks since stylists typically save the best for last. I mean, c’mon … what other place to show up and show out than at the Academy Awards?
Over the years, there’s no doubt that red has ruled supreme. Actresses have arrived gleamed in different hues, and whether it’s ruby-red, crimson-red, carmine-red, scarlet-red, cherry-red or candy apple-red … red rules! And not to mention, custom designs are routinely created from the absolute best in the fashion game.
Here we take a look at 10 of the most fierce and fabulous red dresses on the red carpet that brightened the Oscars over the years.
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Angela Bassett at 93rd Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Matt Petit/Getty Images The queen mother of Wakanda, this “Black Panther” star stunned in an Alberta Ferretti red dress with dramatic poofed-out sleeves and a divine high slit complimented with Chopard jewelry.
The two-time Oscar nominee contended in 2023 for Best Supporting Actress for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and in 1994 for Best Actress for “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” losing respectively to Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”). But, the legendary actress will receive a long-awaited Honorary Oscar in 2024.
Angela Bassett attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.
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Amanda Seyfried at 93rd Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Matt Petit/Getty Images Amanda Seyfried hit the red carpet wearing a hibiscus red-strapless tulle dress designed by in Giorgio Armani Privé. The dramatic gown features a deep V-shaped neckline and a stunning, voluminous full skirt and the star accessorized with Forevermark jewelry.
Seyfried received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for “Mank,” losing to Yuh-jung Youn for “Minari.” Additionally, the star received bids at the Gold Derby, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, amongst many others.
Amanda Seyfried attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.
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Cara Delevingne at 95th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images Cara showed up divinely daring in a red, one-shoulder Elie Saab gown featured with a sexy thigh-high slit and complimented with Bulgari jewels.
The star became a 2023 SAG Award nominee for the ensemble of “Only Murders in the Building.” It lost to “Abbott Elementary” alongside “Barry,” “Hacks” and “The Bear.”
Cara Delevingne attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
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Kirsten Dunst at 94th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images Oscar nominee Kirsten Dunst wore a vintage, strapless gown with tiered ruffles by the legendary couturier Christian Lacroix on the red carpet. Fabulous and fierce!
Kirsten Dunst received a Best Supporting Actress notice for her standout role throughout Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” but lost to Ariana DeBose for “West Side Story.”
Kirsten Dunst attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California.
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Molly Sims at 94th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images The actress and MTV TRL award nominee wore a rich ruby hue for her flowing Elie Saab gown, paired with Rahaminov Diamonds rings and a red-lip to compliment her evening red carpet look.
Molly Sims attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California.
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Tracee Ellis Ross at 94th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images Tracee Ellis Ross is wearing a stunning, simplistic yet fashion-forward flirty Carolina Herrera gown coupled with matching red Christian Louboutin shoes. The “Black-ish” star left heads turning!
In 2022 the legendary “Girlfriends” actress received noms at the NAACP, Golden Globes, Black Reel Awards for Television, Hollywood Critics Choice Association Televison Awards and People’s Choice Awards.
Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California.
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Kristen Wiig at 92nd Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Kristen Wiig brought all the heat in a red hot Valentino Haute Couture gown accessorized with opera gloves. Were you here for it? Because we certainly were!
The following year, Wiig was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Best Comedy Guest Actress for “Saturday Night Live.” She lost to Maya Rudolph for “Saturday Night Live.”
Kristen Wiig attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
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Heidi Klum at 80th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Chris Farina/Corbis/Getty Images The Emmy-winning star certainly had heads on a swivel when she hit the red carpet wearing a Cinderella-esque gown designed by Christian Dior. Heidi Klum brought a fairy-tale to the Oscars from the dramatic train to the uniquely customed collar.
In 2013 Klum won a Primetime Emmy for Best Reality Host for “Project Runway,” shared with Tim Gunn.
Heidi Klum attends the 80th Annual Academy Awards at Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
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Marlee Matlin at 94th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by P. Lehman/Getty Images The “CODA” scene-stealer did not disappoint! The 1987 Oscar-winning Best Actress winner for “Children of a Lesser God” wore a long-sleeved, high neck Monique Lhuillier crimson gown complimented with a daring royal blue necklace.
In 2022 Matlin won a SAG Award for being a part of the ensemble of “CODA.” The other nominees in this category were “Belfast,” “Don’t Look Up,” “House of Gucci” and “King Richard.”
Marlee Matlin arrives on the red carpet outside the Dolby Theater for the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, USA.
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Jennifer Garner at 94th Academy Awards
Image Credit: Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images “The Last Thing He Told Me” star showed us how far elegance and class can go when rocking red. Jennifer Garner hit the red carpet wearing a cherry red, off-the-shoulder column dress with a unique neckline designed by Brandon Maxwell.
The actress received a People’s Choice Award nomination this year for “The Adam Project,” the Female Movie Star of 2022. She lost to Elizabeth Olsen of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”
Jennifer Garner attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California.
