The Ultimate BAFTA Dresses

Ahead of the 2016 BAFTA Awards on Sunday, we look back on the most stunning BAFTA gowns of all time.

The BAFTAs is the highlight of award season for many. From the glittering Covent Garden location - does it get more glam than the Royal Opera House? - to everyone's favourite compére, Stephen Fry and, of course, the BAFTA dresses.

Over the years, the movie industry may have changed beyond recognition, swapping MGM feel good films for blow-the-budget blockbusters, but one thing has remained the same. When BAFTA night comes around, the dresses are guaranteed to take our breath away.

Whether they opt for a floorsweeping standout frock personally tailored by their favourite designer or a modern ensemble from a little-known fashion house, we're always on the edge of our seats as the stars step out of their cars and walk the red carpet.

And, as excitement reaches fever pitch before the 2016 BAFTA Awards on Sunday, take a look at our favourite BAFTA dresses from the last sixty years. Will this year's attendees wow?

This beautiful photograph of Audrey Hepburn was taken at the Film Awards in 1955 when she was nominated for her performance in Sabrina Fair. With a tightly fitted bodice accentuating her elegant figure and a full bodied skirt, her timeless style set the fashion bar high for the BAFTA nominees of the future.

Keep clicking for even more beautiful BAFTA gowns...

BAFTA dresses: Lea Seydoux

French beauty and Spectre star Lea Seydoux stunned in a canary yellow Prada gown at last year's awards.

BAFTA dresses: Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller is renowned for her style. This intricately embellished vintage gown by Emanuel Ungaro didn't disappoint in 2007.

BAFTA dresses: Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton shot straight to the top of the best dressed lists when she wore this ruched, pink puffball gown by Christian Lacroix to the BAFTAs in 2006.

BAFTA dresses: Tilda Swinton

Never one to follow the trends too closely, Tilda Swinton called on French fashion house, Celine for a BAFTA-nominee worthy frock in 2013. Her minimal, chic, white gown provided a refreshing antidote to all the jewel tones and black.

BAFTA dresses: Michelle Williams

It's no secret that the A-list loves a high street showstopper as much as we do, but at the BAFTA's Michelle Williams pulled off monochrome H&M with aplomb at the 2014 awards. We love it.

BAFTA dresses: Reese Witherspoon

You can always rely on Reese Witherspoon to up the style stakes on the red carpet, and last year was no different as she wore a simple but stunning gown by Stella McCartney and Tiffany & co. jewels.

BAFTA dresses: Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone's dramatic red strapless John Galliano gown stole the show in 2009.

BAFTA dresses: Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore totally defied age last year as she scooped the award for her performance in Still Alice. The 54-year-old actress wore a plunging Tom Ford gown.

BAFTA dresses: Scarlett Johansson

Wow! No points for guessing who Scarlett Johansson was channeling in 2004. She looked every inch the old school Hollywood bombshell in a strappy Prada gown and £2 million of Moussaieff jewels.

BAFTA dresses: Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was definitely having a love affair with all things British in 2014. To pick up her BAFTA for Best Actress (awarded for her brilliant portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady), she donned a strapless gown by none other than Vivenne Westwood. Fabulous.

BAFTA dresses: Rosamund Pike

At the height of ger Gone Girl fame Rosamund Pike stepped out to last year's award ceremony in this sleek halterneck gown by Roland Mouret.

BAFTA dresses: Renee Zellweger

Renee Zellweger gave the world serious dress envy as she stepped out in this heavenly backless gown by her favourite designer, Carolina Herrera in 2006.

BAFTA dresses: Penelope Cruz

A year after picking up a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in 2008, Penelope Cruz wowed once again in an elegant black floor-length gown by Azzedine Alaia. With her gamine-style fringe and diamond jewellery, she was looking more than a little Audrey Hepburn.

BAFTA dresses: Nicole Kidman

Slinky dresses in muted tones must have been in! Nicole Kidman wore Emanuel Ungaro in 2003.

BAFTA dresses: Marion Cotillard

It was French actress Marion Cotillard's night at the 2008 BAFTAs. She was awarded the Best Actress accolade and managed to pull off a Chanel couture mini dress with attached cape. Much prettier than it sounds!

BAFTA dresses: Naomie Harris

New Bond girl Naomie Harris pulled out all the stops for her first BAFTA red carpet appearance. Her gorgeous yellow floor-sweeper came courtesy of Emilo Pucci. The perfect choice!

BAFTA dresses: Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet showed her sexy side in a panelled Stella McCartney gown in 2010.

BAFTA dresses: Kate Hudson

A gold sequin gown might sound OTT, but Kate Hudson knew just how to work it in 2008. Having Dior on speed-dial to design it for you probably helps!

BAFTA dresses: Jessica Alba

Another show-stopping gown from Jessica Alba. She channeled a Grecian goddess in bright blue Atelier Versace last year.

BAFTA dresses: Dame Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren was picture perfect in a Jacques Azagury crumpled silk gown complete with matching shrug and sash in 2007.

BAFTA dresses: Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris cut a striking shape on the BAFTA red carpet in a hot pink Gucci dress, slashed to the thigh and belted at the waist in 2014. The sophisticated style was completed with Louboutin pumps and a sparkle from a pair of disc Cartier earrings.

BAFTA dresses: Eva Green

No wonder the paps were fighting to get her picture! Eva Green's majestic 2007 Christian Dior floor-sweeper had jewels sewn in to the neck and sleeve.

BAFTA dresses: Emma Watson

When The Academy asks you to present an award, you can't go wrong in jawdropping Valentino. Just ask Emma Watson who wore this show stopper in 2011.

BAFTA dresses: Emily Blunt

Shunning black for a shimmering aqua gown, Emily Blunt mesmerised in Mark Bower at the 2008 BAFTAs.

BAFTA dresses: Charlize Theron

It might have been raining at the 2006 BAFTAs, but Charlize Theron ensured the red carpet still shone in figure-hugging Lanvin.

BAFTA dresses: Cate Blanchett

One of our favourite ever BAFTA looks, Cate Blanchett oozed vintage Hollywood glamour in a shimmering sequin column gown by Armani in 2005.

BAFTA dresses: Audrey Tautou

Always one to make a style statement, Audrey Tatou's pink Lanvin cocktail dress was a refreshing change to all those full-length floor-sweepers in 2010.

BAFTA dresses: Angelina Jolie

Brightening up the red carpet in a Armani Prive black and neon structured dress, Angelina Jolie proved she's not afraid to experiment with colour in 2009.

BAFTA dresses: Lupita Nyong'o

Choosing an emerald green Christian Dior Couture gown with a sleek metallic belt, Lupita accessorised with eye-catching cuffs and a magenta lip colour for her London outing in 2014.

BAFTA dresses: Claire Danes

A custom-made Burberry frock is guaranteed to turn heads. Maybe that's why Claire Danes has the brand's Creative Director, Christopher Bailey on speed-dial to create showstoppers like the metallic silk gown she wore to the 2010 BAFTAs. Jealous, us?!

BAFTA dresses: Sienna Miller

What did we say about Sienna Miller's style? All eyes were on her Christian Dior couture dress at the 2008 BAFTAs. Oh to have her wardrobe!

BAFTA dresses: Dame Helen Mirren

The queen of BAFTA night, Helen Mirren received her coveted BAFTA Fellowship award in a sweeping navy Jacques Azagury semi-sheer gown. The delicate beaded bodice embellishment lit up for the cameras - and so did Helen's magnificent Asprey chandelier earrings.

BAFTA dresses: Sally Hawkins

Flying the British flag, Sally Hawkins had the luxury of having design house Mulberry create a bespoke gown for her. A white jacquard three-quarter sleeve gown with a full skirt and undulated hem was a breath of fresh spring air on the BAFTA red carpet in 2014.