The 23 most iconic movie makeovers of all time
Paramount Pictures
The movie makeover scene is an important part of cinema as we know it, especially in romantic comedies.
We rounded up the 23 most iconic makeovers throughout movie history, from "My Fair Lady" to "A Star Is Born."
Although the reasons for the makeovers haven't aged well in every case — like Allison's goth-to-preppy makeover in "The Breakfast Club" — they're simply too historic to leave out.
Any self-respecting romantic-comedy fan can pick their favorite makeover — they're a staple of the genre. Perhaps you're partial to Julia Roberts shopping on Rodeo Drive set to Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman," or Sandra Bullock shedding her windbreaker for a tiara in "Miss Congeniality."
We've picked our 23 favorite movie makeover scenes — and not all are from rom-coms.
All it takes for Zack (Freddie Prinze Jr.) to notice Laney (Rachael Leigh Cook) in "She's All That" are some contacts, a red dress, and some basic hair-styling.
Miramax Films
Thankfully, Zack's little sister Mac, played by Anna Paquin, makes sure to note that Laney is "new, but not improved, just different." Cue up "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer and prepare to cry.
This scene became so associated with the genre that a few years later, the satire film "Not Another Teen Movie" would go on to recreate it, with a few minor tweaks.
Anne Hathaway went from being Mia Thermopolis to Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia in "The Princess Diaries" with the help of her stylist, Paolo.
Buena Vista Pictures
You can watch the reveal here — who knew all it'd take to turn Mia into royalty was getting her hair straightened and some contacts?
Anne Hathaway was also part of another iconic makeover — this time in "The Devil Wears Prada."
20th Century Fox
Her character, Andy, goes from frumpy to chic with the help of Stanley Tucci's Nigel — and yes, she's wearing the Chanel boots.
Eggsy, played by Taron Egerton, went from chav to suave in "Kingsman: The Secret Service," with the help of Colin Firth's Harry Hart.
20th Century Fox
As the Kingsman would say, manners maketh man.
Eliza Doolittle is the star of the original rags-to-riches story, "My Fair Lady," in which she sheds her Cockney accent to help someone win a bet.
Warner Bros. Pictures
In the original musical, Eliza was played by Julie Andrews, though the role was controversially given to Audrey Hepburn for the film.
When Ally (Lady Gaga) goes from brunette to redhead, alarm bells start going off in the mind of Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) in "A Star Is Born."
Warner Bros. Pictures
As Ally begins her ascent up the charts, she begins changing parts of herself, like her clothes, hair color, and musical style — though it's a little murky what director Bradley Cooper was trying to say about pop music.
In "Clueless," Cher targets Tai, played by Brittany Murphy, for one of her makeovers because they give her "a sense of control in a world full of chaos."
Paramount Pictures
However, Tai eventually reverts back to herself after realizing that she doesn't want to be exactly like Cher and Dionne.
Lindsay Lohan's Cady Heron goes full-on plastic in "Mean Girls."
Paramount Pictures
Cady doesn't stay plastic forever though — she realizes she's better off being herself than a wannabe Regina George.
In "Mrs. Doubtfire," Daniel Hillard, played by Robin Williams, dresses up as a Scottish nanny named Euphegenia Doubtfire to spend time with his kids.
20th Century Fox
The movie deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Makeup in 1994.
Adding a bit of hair gel and a tuxedo transformed Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, from a guy in steerage to a man who fit right in with the rest of first class in "Titanic."
Paramount Pictures
You wanna go to a real party?
Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) went from an innocent new student and cheerleader to full-on man-eater in "Grease."
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
While it's problematic in 2019 to put out the message that girls have to change their entire demeanor to win over a guy, it's impossible not to include her on this list.
And don't forget — Danny Zuko changes too! He became a varsity athlete, thank you very much.
FBI agent Gracie, played by Sandra Bullock, becomes a full-on pageant queen in "Miss Congeniality."
Warner Bros. Pictures
She even manages to save the day — and in heels.
When Fiona revealed her true form as an ogre in "Shrek," everyone was shook.
DreamWorks Pictures
Fiona, voiced by Cameron Diaz, gave a new meaning to what a fairytale princess could be.
Vivian's looks from the beginning and end of "Pretty Woman" are equally iconic, thanks to Julia Roberts' endearing performance.
Buena Vista Pictures
Did you know that the scene in which Richard Gere's Edward playfully snaps the jewelry box closed was improvised? Roberts' reaction was completely authentic.
In Emma Stone's star-making performance as Olive in "Easy A," she struts down the hallway, complete with a scarlet letter.
Screen Gems
Olive leans into her bad reputation when she makes her big debut at school. Eventually though, she gives up the ruse and returns to her true self.
In order to play soccer, Viola (Amanda Bynes) dresses up as her twin brother, Sebastian, in "She's the Man."
DreamWorks Distribution
"She's the Man" is based on Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night."
Selina Kyle, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, starts out as a mousy secretary in "Batman Returns," but rises from the dead as Catwoman.
Warner Bros. Pictures
It took some truly ugly glasses, frizzy hair, and dowdy cardigans to convincingly turn Pfeiffer, one of the most beautiful actresses in the world, into a plain-looking person.
Melanie Griffith's Tess had to ditch her giant '80s mullet to be taken seriously in "Working Girl."
20th Century Fox
Do we recommend using your new boss' name to get everyone at your job to take you seriously? No — but we do recommend ditching your mullet.
Allison (Ally Sheedy) ditches her goth look after an intervention from Molly Ringwald's Claire in "The Breakfast Club."
Universal Pictures
This is another case of a girl changing so a guy will notice her, which doesn't age well in 2019.
Cinderella's transformation is literally from rags to riches in the 1954 original.
Disney
After Cinderella's dress is ruined by her evil stepsisters, her fairy godmother steps in and waves her wand in one of the most iconic pieces of animation of all time. In fact, it's Walt Disney's favorite piece of animation of all his work.
Mulan transforms into a solider to bring honor to her family.
Disney
There are technically multiple makeovers in "Mulan," but our favorite is when Mulan ditches her makeup and long hair during "Reflection," and transforms into a soldier ready to get down to business and defeat the Huns.
An injection of super serum turns a digitally altered Chris Evans from little Steve Rogers to Captain America in "Captain America: The First Avenger."
Paramount Pictures
It's one of the best superhero reveal scenes of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is truly saying something.
Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, feels like she has to de-pinkify herself in order to get her classmates to take her seriously in "Legally Blonde." She's wrong.
MGM Distribution Co.
Thankfully, Elle comes to her senses and brings back the pink for her iconic courtroom scene. But she does rock those glasses.
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