Photos: Hollywood's finest hit the red carpet for 96th Academy Awards

(KTLA) -- The stars are out in Hollywood on Sunday evening for the 96th Academy Awards.

A-listers from around the world are taking to the red carpet on Sunday afternoon, showing off their outfits and sharing their thoughts before the Oscars are handed out.

Early arrivals on the red carpet included actors Vanessa Hudgens and Brittany Snow, who posed for cameras and chatted with colleagues before heading into the ceremony.

Rita Moreno wore a huge smile and a statement black gown, and Brittany Snow popped in bright yellow on the Oscars red carpet Sunday for Hollywood's big night with a show of red, black, metallics and another drop-dead gorgeous gown for Laverne Cox.

Moreno, at 92, waved to photographers as she showed off her look. Snow offered a refreshing show of color in a bright strapless custom Monot dress paired with a statement choker.

Cox, working the carpet for E!, was the epitome of Old Hollywood glam in an hourglass look of black and low-plunging gold, her hair piled high as she fluttered a feather-light neck piece that trailed behind. Her look is vintage Mugler.

Many men stuck to black in tuxedos and other looks, and there was a predictable spray of sequins for the women. White and off-white looks also represented.

Red, an “IT” color of the awards season, had some early enthusiasts as arrivals heated up. Some walking the carpet wore red pins supporting a cease fire in Gaza.

The Oscars begin at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.