The Princess Diaries Turns 15: Ranking the Best Movie Makeovers of All Time

Robin Williams' starring Mrs. Doubtfire tops our list

By McKenna Aiello Aug 03, 2016 8:50 PMTags
Best Movie Makeovers of All Time, Anne Hathaway, Princess DiariesBuena Vista Pictures

Whenever The Princess Diaries is mentioned, what's the first scene that comes to mind? 

For us, it's Anne Hathaway's unforgettable makeover from bushy-haired Mia Thermopolis to sophisticated and poised Princess of Genovia. The actress was plucked, pricked and primed across nearly every inch of her body, later reemerging as a nearly unrecognizable version of herself. 

In spirit of the Disney classic's fifteenth anniversary, we've put together our very own ranking of the best movie makeovers of all time. From Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed to Olivia Newton John in Grease, this nostalgia-inducing countdown will have you sprinting to your next movie night (or the nearest cosmetics store). 

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15. Emma Stone in Easy A:

When caught in a web of lies about losing her virginity, Stone's character takes matters into her own hands by embracing her less-than flattering reputation. She switches her girl-next-door look for the provocative, stitching a red "A" for "adultery" on all her clothes.

Paramount Pictures

14. Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls:

Cady Heron might not have necessarily transformed her outer beauty for all the right reasons, but we can't help but shout out Lohan's drab-to-fab transformation. Not to mention that black leather mini dress was the epitome of early 2000s fashion.

13. Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games:

Katniss Everdeen officially becomes the girl on fire upon sacrificing her own safety to compete in The Capitol's deadly annual games. After being revamped by a team of stylists, Lawrence's character quickly rises to become the face of the multi-part film series' rebellion effort.

DreamWorks

12. Amanda Bynes in She's The Man:

The actress proved she's the ultimate chameleon when it comes to gender bending. Determined to prove her skills as an all-star soccer player, Bynes' character goes undercover as her twin brother to play on the boys' team.

11. Brittany Murphy in Clueless:

Alicia Silverstone dubbed the late actresses' character in the 1995 classic "tragically unhip," that is until the preppy popular girl gets her hands on Tai's grungy wardrobe. Murphy later traded her flannels for plaid skirts, emerging as a "total Betty."

Columbia Pictures

10. Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan:

If this early 2000s flick taught us anything, it's that J.Lo is just as stunningly gorgeous in a maid's uniform as she is in designer threads. What's even more heartwarming is that Ralph Fiennes' character loved the hotel housekeeper all the same even when it was revealed that her wardrobe actually belonged to guests of the hotel.

AllStar

9. Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding:

In this 2002 romantic comedy, Toula Portokalos only found the confidence to strike up a conversation with her future husband (played by John Corbett) after she tosses her frumpy sweaters, thick-rimmed eyeglasses and frizzy locks.

20th Century Fox

8. Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada:

Leave it to none other than Stanley Tucci's character to take responsibility for Hathaway's transformation from struggling college grad to fashion magazine maven. In the aftermath  of her makeover, editor-in-chief of Runway (Meryl Streep) begins to take notice of her potential in the industry.

MGM

7. Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde:

What, like its hard?! Elle Woods made the journey from naïve sorority girl to top of her class at Harvard Law look almost too easy. We have her impeccable taste in style to thank for much of the convincing, scented resumes and pink power suits included.

Paramount Pictures

6. Olivia Newton John in Grease:

Sandy's sudden switch from innocent exchange student to seductive bad chick is without a doubt one of the most iconic movie makeovers across the decades. Just like John Travolta and the rest of Rydell High, Olivia Newton John is still the one we want.

Miramax Films

5. Rachael Leigh Cook in She's All That:

When Freddie Prinze Jr. is challenged to turn a wallflower like Cook into Prom Queen in just six weeks, teen movie magic is created. Plus, Laney Boggs' red spaghetti strap prom dress is a moment not to be missed or forgotten.

4. Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality:

Even with a swipe of lip gloss and perfectly coiffed hair, the Oscar-winning actress manages to kick just as much ass as an FBI Special Agent who goes undercover as a beauty queen to foil a terrorist plot. 

Buena Vista Pictures

3. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman:

When Richard Gere's character offers the red-light district escort a chance to switch up her sexier looks for more modest ensembles, he begins to see Vivian Ward through a completely different lens. The pair grows increasingly closer over time, and their romance becomes an unlikely fairy tale.  

20th Century Fox

2. Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed:

The actress gets a second chance to relive her high school years when her editor at the newspaper she works at assigns her to go incognito as a student. Characterized as the ultimate nerd, Barrymore finds a place in the cool crowd after opting for a more glam look.

20th Century Fox

1. Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire

Yes, Williams is the sole man on our ranking, but 'nuff said when it comes to the late actors' arguably most well-known role. To make this makeover even more impressive, Robin's transformation into a Scottish-accented nanny took more than four hours in the makeup chair each day.

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