The Best Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Moments of All Time

The Cannes Film Festival is arguably the most glamorous festival of the year, boasting a red carpet that, much like the Met Gala and the Oscars, has provided us with some of the most memorable, over-the-top fashion moments to date. Don't believe us? Just take a look at the Cannes archives.

The film festival, held annually in May, was founded back in 1946. And since its beginnings, it's attracted a bevy of A-list actors and actresses, top models, and royalty—yes, Princess Diana made a dazzling red carpet appearance in 1987 in a powder blue Catherine Walker gown, a look that, to this day, still captures the elegance and grace of the festival.

This year's event, commencing on May 8, will undoubtedly see some over-the-top, history-making style moments—and to say we're excited is a serious understatement. So to hold you (and ourselves) over until then, we took a trip down memory lane, rounding up some of the absolute best Cannes Film Festival red carpet moments to date, from Sophia Loren's sophisticated ball gown of the '60s to Princess Diana's elegant chiffon number in the '80s to Lupita Nyong'o's breathtaking Gucci gown (and red carpet twirl).

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1955
(Image credit: Bettmann/Contributor)

WHO: Grace Kelly

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1957
(Image credit: Bob Hope/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

WHO: Elizabeth Taylor

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1966
(Image credit: REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

WHO: Carlo Ponti and Sophia Loren

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1987
(Image credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

WHO: Princess Diana

WEAR: Catherine Walker dress

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1998
(Image credit: Pool BENAINOUS/DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

WHO: Johnny Depp and Kate Moss

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2005
(Image credit: MJ Kim/Getty Images)

WHO: Penélope Cruz

WEAR: Valentino dress

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2006
(Image credit: George Pimentel/WireImage)

WHO: Halle Berry

WEAR: Reem Acra gown

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2007
(Image credit: George Pimentel/WireImage)

WHO: Kerry Washington

WEAR: Jean Paul Gaultier dress

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2011
(Image credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic)

WHO: Angelina Jolie

WEAR: Atelier Versace dress

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2012
(Image credit: Tony Barson/FilmMagic)

WHO: Diane Kruger

WEAR: Christian Dior Haute Couture gown

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2013
(Image credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

WHO: Jessica Biel

WEAR: Marchesa dress

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2014
(Image credit: Tony Barson/FilmMagic)

WHO: Blake Lively

WEAR: Custom Gucci

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2015
(Image credit: Venturelli/WireImage)

WHO: Charlize Theron

WEAR: Dior dress

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2015
(Image credit: Venturelli/WireImage)

WHO: Lupita Nyong'o

WEAR: Custom Gucci gown

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2016
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

WHO: Naomi Watts

WEAR: Armani Privé dress

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2016
(Image credit: Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic)

WHO: Amal Clooney

WEAR: Atelier Versace

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2016
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

WHO: Bella Hadid

WEAR: Alexandre Vauthier dress

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2017
(Image credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

WHO: Kendall Jenner

WEAR: Giambattista Valli dress

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2017
(Image credit: Kristina Nikishina/Epsilon/Getty Images)

WHO: Elle Fanning

WEAR: Rodarte gown

Next up, see some of our favorite celebrities' first Met Gala looks.

Eva Thomas
Contributor