Blake Lively, Ariana Grande, And More Celebrities Who Recently Wore Outfits That Featured Genius Easter Eggs From Films

Ziya Jaffrey
·4-min read

IDK about you, but in recent years I’ve noticed a fantastic resurgence of celebrities bringing the fun back to red carpets.

Zendaya in futuristic metallic outfit stands on stage in front of "Dune Part Two" backdrop
Axelle / FilmMagic

These days, we’ve seen some great examples of celebs bringing out references to their movies at premieres. Sometimes they’re subtle and niche, and sometimes they’re super in-your-face. But I’m loving it either way.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande pose in stylish outfits at the premiere of "Wicked," under a canopy of large hanging flowers and in front of themed artwork
Valerie Macon / AFP via Getty Images

So here are 11 times celebrities didn’t shy away from the theme and included references and details on the red carpet. Let’s go!

Margot Robie in an elegant gown poses in front of a large pink 'Barbie' backdrop at a red carpet event
Ian West - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images

Ariana Grande – Wicked

Person in an elegant off-shoulder gown poses confidently at an event, wearing sunglasses and a necklace, against a large backdrop
Person in an elegant off-shoulder gown poses confidently at an event, wearing sunglasses and a necklace, against a large backdrop
A performer on stage wearing a glamorous yellow dress and sunglasses, holding a handbag, with dancers and a glowing umbrella in the background
A performer on stage wearing a glamorous yellow dress and sunglasses, holding a handbag, with dancers and a glowing umbrella in the background

Lia Toby / Getty Images, Suhaimi Abdullah / Getty Images

Now, I know this probably wasn’t the look you were expecting. Ari and Cynthia both went all out for every Wicked premiere with their pink and green gowns. But at the London premiere, Ari decided to reference the Wizard himself – donning green-tinted sunglasses to mimic the ones worn by the folks in the Emerald City in the original Wicked stage production. She paired the accessory with a gorgeous yellow Ralph Lauren gown that matched Glinda's on stage.

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Blake Lively – It Ends With Us

Woman in floral gown stands in front of a floral backdrop, with long wavy hair and statement earrings, exuding elegance on the celebrity event carpet
Woman in floral gown stands in front of a floral backdrop, with long wavy hair and statement earrings, exuding elegance on the celebrity event carpet
Celebrity in patterned pants and mustard-yellow jacket stepping out of a building surrounded by flowers
Celebrity in patterned pants and mustard-yellow jacket stepping out of a building surrounded by flowers

Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images

Before all the drama, Blake’s outfits on the press tour for It Ends With Us were a huge talking point. She wore this Tamara Ralph Couture look at the UK Gala Screening in London, with the florals referencing her character Lily Bloom’s love of flowers.

Rachel Zegler – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Rachel Zegler on the red carpet in a strapless gown with a sleek design and dramatic train, posing for photos

Rachel wore this Alexander McQueen mermaid gown to the European premiere of the Hunger Games prequel in 2023, and eagle-eyed fans would have spotted that it was a reference to Katniss’s dress in Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Y’know. The part when her dress catches fire.

Tristar Media / WireImage

Zendaya – Challengers

Zendaya in a shimmering, sleeveless gown with a deep V-neck and high slit stands on a red carpet at the "Challengers" event

Zendaya – Challengers

Zendaya in backless, patterned gown with long braid on red carpet, poster of another woman in background

Sorry, I had to do another. Have you seen the material? This look from the London premiere featured Z in a Thom Browne halter gown with Bulgari earrings. Zendaya had her hair in a sporty braid, and just look at the tiny tennis rackets on her dress! Too cute!!!

Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Warner Bros

Anya Taylor Joy – The Super Mario Movie

Anya in a bright jumpsuit and boots poses in front of a colorful cartoon backdrop with animated characters

Frequently the best dressed on carpets, it’s no surprise that Anya brought her A-game – even to the Mario movie. Anyone who’s ever fallen off the track in Rainbow Road will recognize Anya’s reference to her character Princess Peach’s race suit with this pink leather Dior jumpsuit.

Kayla Oaddams / WireImage

Zendaya – Dune: Part Two

Zendaya wearing a textured two-piece outfit with a high-neck top and long skirt at a film event
Zendaya wearing a textured two-piece outfit with a high-neck top and long skirt at a film event
Zendaya in a desert landscape scene, wearing a headscarf and nose ring, with bright blue eyes. Numerous distant figures in the background
Zendaya in a desert landscape scene, wearing a headscarf and nose ring, with bright blue eyes. Numerous distant figures in the background

Marc Piasecki / WireImage, Warner Bros. Pictures

Back to Zendaya! She just had so many bangers in 2024. This look for the Paris premiere of Dune: Part Two was a Louis Vuitton custom two-piece, featuring a silhouette that referenced the robes worn by Zendaya’s character Chani.

Margot Robbie – Barbie

Person poses on a pink carpet in a bright pink suit and skirt, white hat with pink trim, holding a small pink handbag, smiling energetically
Person poses on a pink carpet in a bright pink suit and skirt, white hat with pink trim, holding a small pink handbag, smiling energetically
A doll dressed in a pink suit with a white trim, pink hat, and holding a white suitcase. Designed in a classic, stylish fashion
A doll dressed in a pink suit with a white trim, pink hat, and holding a white suitcase. Designed in a classic, stylish fashion

Han Myung-gu / WireImage, Mattel / Amazon

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Yaaaay! I finally get to talk about the Barbie outfits! Margot made sure to dig deep for her premiere outfits – and this Versace look from the Seoul premiere was a reference to Barbie’s 1985 “Day to Night” collection.

Margot Robbie – Barbie

A person on a red carpet wears a sparkling pink dress with sheer overlay, holding a pink clutch, and poses elegantly
A person on a red carpet wears a sparkling pink dress with sheer overlay, holding a pink clutch, and poses elegantly
Fashion doll in a pink dress with glittery top, holding a matching handbag, posing as if waving on a red carpet
Fashion doll in a pink dress with glittery top, holding a matching handbag, posing as if waving on a red carpet

Han Myung-gu / WireImage, Mattel / Amazon / Via amazon.com

Enter Night Barbie! This second look from the Seoul premiere had Margot switching to the other version of the 1985 "Day to Night" collection – and I'm obsessed.

Margot Robbie – Barbie

Person in elegant strapless, black sequined gown with mermaid tulle skirt, red carpet event backdrop promoting
Person in elegant strapless, black sequined gown with mermaid tulle skirt, red carpet event backdrop promoting
A doll in a glamorous black gown with long gloves stands beside a vintage microphone, evoking a classic Hollywood style
A doll in a glamorous black gown with long gloves stands beside a vintage microphone, evoking a classic Hollywood style

Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images, Mattel / Amazon / Via amazon.com

One more and I’m done, I swear. Out of the expected Barbiecore pink, Margot perfectly recreated the 1961 Barbie “Solo in the Spotlight” doll with a black Schiaparelli gown, and I’m still obsessed.

Zoë Kravitz – The Batman

Person in black lace-up strapless dress at a formal event, smiling and waving
Person in black lace-up strapless dress at a formal event, smiling and waving
Zoë as Catwoman in a sleek, black, cat burglar-style outfit with a mask, standing against a blurred city backdrop
Zoë as Catwoman in a sleek, black, cat burglar-style outfit with a mask, standing against a blurred city backdrop

James Devaney / GC Images

Suited up in a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, Zoë referenced her Catwoman character with a bust that featured silhouettes of cats – and IDC if it’s custom, I need this in my wardrobe.

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Which was your fave? There are so many hard hitters on this list, but for me it’s gotta be Zendaya for Challengers – get it? Hard hitter… Like tennis… I’ll let myself out. LMK your thoughts.

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