Throughout film history — beyond all the stories, beyond all the casts, beyond all the directors — there has always been one element that often stays in the mind of the viewer more than anything else: the costumes. More specifically, all the dresses. Whether the movie takes place in the 1700s or the 2010s, you can always count on there being a beautiful dress or two. Despite being honored each year with the category of Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards, there are simply too many to recognize for just one winner. Everyone recognizes the famous white dress from "The Seven-Year Itch" with Marilyn Monroe or Judy Garland’s blue plaid dress from "The Wizard of Oz," but it doesn’t just stop there. There are hundreds of thousands of others worthy of praise; some are serious, while some are more fun. Here are just a few of the very best dresses in the history of film.

1. Alicia Silverstone’s white Calvin Klein, "Clueless" (1999).

2. Audrey Hepburn’s black Givenchy dress, "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" (1961).

3. Julia Roberts’ red gown by Vance, "Pretty Woman" (1990).

4. Cate Blanchett’s many silhouette dresses, "Carol" (2015).

5. Kirsten Dunst’s Homecoming dress, "The Virgin Suicides" (1999).

6. Grace Kelly’s black and white tulle skirt by Edith Head, "Rear Window" (1954).

7. Anne Hathaway’s floral gown, "The Princess Diaries" (2001).

8. Cinderella’s ball gown, "Cinderella" (1950).

9. Rachel McAdams’ blue mini-dress, "The Notebook" (2004).

10. Carrie Fisher’s white floor-length dress, "Star Wars" (1977).

11. Sarah Jessica Parker's Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, "Sex and the City" (2008).