17 Actors From Our Favorite 2000s Films That Played A Huge Part In Our Childhood And Teenage Lives
The era when Lindsay Lohan ruled Hollywood? Take us back!
The 2000s gave us a very specific kind of movie magic, the kind that still lives rent-free in pop culture memory. From glittery red carpets to low-rise jeans and endlessly quotable teen comedies, the decade had a look and a mood all its own.
That nostalgia is a big reason films like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30, and Bring It On still get talked about today. The actors who starred in them became part of childhoods, teen years, and a lot of repeat rewatches.
Some of those stars are still everywhere, while others feel like a perfect time capsule of the era. Either way, these 17 actors helped define the movies that made the 2000s unforgettable.
1. Anne Hathaway
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: The Princess Diaries, The Princess Diaries 2, Ella Enchanted, Bride Wars, and The Devil Wears Prada.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES2. Piper Perabo
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Cheaper by the Dozen, Because I Said So, Slap Her, She's French, and Coyote Ugly.
20th Century Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection3. Stephen Colletti
What iconic 2000s movies he was in: One Tree Hill and Laguna Beach.
The CW
4. Sophia Bush
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: One Tree Hill, John Tucker Must Die, and Chalet Girl.
Peter Kramer / Getty Images
5. Emma Roberts
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Aquamarine, Nancy Drew, Unfabulous, and Wild Child.
Universal Pictures
6. Amanda Bynes
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: What a Girl Wants, What I Like About You, Hairspray, The Amanda Show, Big Fat Liar, Easy A, Sydney White, and She's The Man.
IMDb
7. Sara Paxton
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Aquamarine, Sydney White, Sleepover, and Darcy's Wild Life.
IMDb
And speaking of red-carpet chaos, check out the Best-Dressed Stars At Oscars 2026 who stole attention early.
8. Zac Efron
What iconic 2000s movies he was in: High School Musical, Hairspray, Summerland, and 17 Again.
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
9. Reese Witherspoon
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions, and Sweet Home Alabama.
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10. Julia Stiles
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: 10 Things I Hate About You, O, Save the Last Dance, and The Prince and Me.
Buena Vista Pictures
11. Mandy Moore
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: How to Deal, The Princess Diaries, A Walk to Remember, Chasing Liberty, Because I Said So, and Saved!
Teen Machine
12. Hilary Duff
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Lizzie McGuire — show and movie — Cheaper by the Dozen, Cadet Kelly, Raise Your Voice, The Perfect Man, Material Girls, A Cinderella Story, and the threesome episode of Gossip Girl.
?Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
13. Gabrielle Union
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, Love & Basketball, and Bring It On.
Universal Pictures
14. Penn Badgley
What iconic 2000s movies he was in: Gossip Girl, John Tucker Must Die, and Easy A.
Screen Gems
15. Chad Michael Murray
What iconic 2000s movies he was in: One Tree Hill, A Cinderella Story, Freaky Friday, Dawson's Creek, and Gilmore Girls.
16. Oliver James
What iconic 2000s movies he was in: What a Girl Wants and Raise Your Voice.
Warner Bros.
17. And of course, Lindsay Lohan
What iconic 2000s movies she was in: Life-Size, Get a Clue, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Freaky Friday, Just My Luck, and Mean Girls.
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It's safe to say that these actors and actresses definitely had a hugely pivotal role in our growing-up stages back then, and they still leave a monumental impact on the young people who continue to find it in their hearts to watch their movies even now!
Which one was your favorite back then? Comment down your thoughts, or share this article with all your family and friends to see!
For another “can’t” moment, read why Danielle Fishel “couldn’t show her arms” on Boy Meets World.
