Top 10 Dress Reveals in Movies

We didn’t necessarily expect Cruella de Vil to get an origin story in 2021, but we’re glad she did. There’s plenty to enjoy in this fun film, and the fabulous clothes are a huge part of that. In one gloriously over-the-top scene, Emma Stone’s Cruella rocks up to an exclusive Black and White ball held by the famous designer Baroness von Hellman. In a scene-stealing dress reveal, the eccentric protagonist sets her outer layers alight, revealing a show-stopping red gown underneath. It’s all just a distraction to enable Jasper and Horace to steal a priceless necklace, but when the garment is that gorgeous, who cares?!

Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis has already had her big make-over by the time we reach the end of the movie. But to really look the part she needs a dress fit for a princess. We know that Mia has her gown picked out for the Independence Day ball, however, things don’t go exactly as planned. When she arrives late in a hoodie with wet hair, it’s dramatic, but we can’t help but feel a little short-changed. Where’s that regal look we were promised? Luckily, they don’t keep us in suspense for long and Mia ultimately appears in the ballroom in a gorgeous strapless gown with a full princess skirt. The contrast with her arrival look makes the final reveal even more special.

As the new dancer on “The Corny Collins Show,” “Hairspray” heroine Tracy Turnblad is ready to bring Baltimore into the new decade. She starts off a craze with her big highlighted hair and even encourages her mom to get a makeover. Edna’s dress reveal is a lot of fun, but the real wow moment comes during the film’s finale. When Tracy comes down in the open lift, she’s a whole new woman. Her new look leaves behind her blouses and skirts for a short, sixties shift dress and go-go boots, in sparkling but sophisticated black and white. Together with a brand new hairdo, she’s setting trends and making a statement. The times are changing and Tracy’s not going to let anyone hold her back.

This scene from “Rebecca” is one of the movie’s most memorable - but it’s also incredibly painful. The second Mrs. de Winter isn’t a natural hostess, but for her and her husband Maxim’s big fancy-dress party, she’s determined to get one thing right. As she struggles to pick the perfect costume, housekeeper Mrs. Danvers offers her a seemingly excellent suggestion. She runs with the idea enthusiastically, and is so excited to debut her gown on the big day. We can see why, because she looks absolutely marvelous, and truly regal as ever. Sadly, things go horribly wrong. Danvers has set her up for failure. Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, wore that exact costume prior to her passing. After all that build-up, our heroine is left devastated.

Even Molly Ringwald agrees that the “Pretty in Pink” dress wasn’t necessarily pretty in the typical sense. But maybe it’s time to reevaluate this iconic pink potato sack? There’s no denying that the reveal of Andie’s homemade dress marks a pivotal moment in the film. Piecing together bits of a frock that her dad got her and the fabric from her friend’s old prom dress, the protagonist showcases her individual style. The whole point is she’s not a rich kid, so she’s got to get a bit creative. She arrives at the event without the date she wanted, not looking like a carbon copy of the cool girls, but finally comfortable in her own skin. It’s not really about the dress, it’s about her self-respect.

“Calamity Jane” may be dated and full of problematic elements, but this reveal is unforgettable. Doris Day’s Calamity dresses, talks and shoots just like one of the guys, but she wants to be appreciated for her feminine qualities too. In the shadow of her friend Katie, she finds it hard to get the kind of attention she’s after. But when she’s dolled up in pink ruffles for the ball, they all take notice. When her coat comes off to reveal a dress fit for a lady, no one’s more astonished than her good friend Bill Hickok, who doesn’t even recognise her at first. But it’s Calamity’s confused response to the male reaction that really makes the moment.

The “Harry Potter” characters grew up with much of their audience, and by the time we hit “Goblet of Fire” the teenage hormones are raging. Harry and Ron are starting to notice girls, but they didn’t count on a glow up for their bookish best friend. Of course, it’s a bigger transformation in the book, where Hermione is plain with bushy hair and recently straightened teeth. Emma Watson’s version of the character was always pretty, but for the Yule Ball she gets to be more than that - she gets to be glamorous. Her ensemble is sophisticated and feminine and she looks so lovely in pink that we can just about forgive the color change from page to screen. No wonder Ron gets so jealous.

Cinema tells the “Cinderella” story over and over again, and each adaptation comes with its own dress reveal. Disney’s live-action remake of the classic fairytale has its own identity, but it also retains all the elements that make the story so beloved. And it definitely doesn’t stint on the transformation scene. Helena Bonham Carter’s Fairy Godmother works her magic, transforming Ella’s tattered pink dress into a sparkling blue ball gown guaranteed to turn heads and make her the envy of little girls everywhere. There were high expectations, but this moment more than delivers. It’s a proper princess dress if we’ve ever seen one, and it’s just so pretty!

Vivian Ward is one of Julia Roberts’ most iconic roles to date and it’s easy to understand why. She charms us all with her story and heart of gold, but it’s her Pygmalion style transformation that provides the movie’s defining image. When Vivian steps out in the red dress, Edward’s reaction seems pretty understated. It’s not until she walks through the hotel lobby that the jaws really start to drop. The staff have followed her rags to riches journey, and here is the finished result. In her off-the-shoulder, floor-length gown and a necklace worth more money than she’s ever dreamed of, Vivian looks like a million dollars. And that smile is absolutely priceless.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Katniss Is the Girl on Fire, “The Hunger Games” (2012)
Cinna’s Surprising Dress Design Is a Crowd-Pleaser

The First Dress, “Miss Congeniality” (2000)
Sandra Bullock’s Undercover FBI Agent Goes Glam

Marisa’s Cinderella Moment, “Maid in Manhattan” (2002)
J-Lo Stuns in Pale Pink & Diamonds

Baby’s Pink Dress, “Dirty Dancing” (1987)
It’s Simple but Iconic

Sabrina’s Party Look, “Sabrina” (1954)
The Chauffeur's Daughter Has Arrived

As far as rags-to-riches transformations go, it’s impossible to forget “My Fair Lady’s” Eliza Doolittle. Audrey Hepburn’s cockney flower girl gets the Cinderella treatment when Rex Harrison’s Professor Higgins decides to turn her into a lady. She makes her first public outing at the races, but steps it up a notch for the Embassy Ball. The latter is the occasion for which we get the proper head-turning dress reveal. Descending the stairs of Higgins’ home, Eliza absolutely dazzles in a gown that’s sparkly, elegant, and simply majestic. The garment itself is like something out of a dream, and she wears it flawlessly. We’re not exaggerating when we say she looks every inch a princess and holds herself like a queen.