Pop star, child actress, 2000s icon: Celebrate Lindsay Lohan's return to fame with her career's most definitive movies

When I think back on my childhood, I have specific core memories that make up my mental scrapbook. Certain prominent actors and singers from the time have also made their mark on my memory, creating moments and good times that I’ll never forget.

One notable figure from my childhood was Lindsay Lohan. She was the star of so many phenomenal movies that so deeply impacted my earliest memories.

Throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Lohan was a notable actor who took Hollywood by storm, cementing herself as an icon in her own right. She was a pop culture staple, a momentary pop star and most importantly, a quintessential actress of that era.

To this day, I still find myself watching some of Lohan's most popular films as a way to feel a sense of nostalgia and general ease. Her most iconic movies have become go-to guilty pleasures and truly give me direction whenever I’m unsure of what I want to watch.

In recent months, Lohan has been making a comeback in Hollywood after many years away from the spotlight. She dealt with several personal problems during those years, including struggles with addiction and multiple arrests.

Years later, the star has finally taken the time to work on herself and seems to be in a great mental headspace. It’s so amazing to see a talented figure — who has made such an impact on my and many others' childhood — return to her love of acting while looking happier and healthier than ever.

Before you watch Lohan's new projects, such as "Falling for Christmas," check out the absolute classics on this list.

"Freaky Friday" (2003)

Starring Hollywood icons Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, "Freaky Friday" is an absolute masterpiece. It follows the story of rebellious teen Anna Coleman, portrayed by Lohan, who does everything in her power to fight against the wills of her perfectly poised therapist mother, Tess, portrayed by Curtis.

As their problems with one another grow larger each day, their whole world completely changes overnight due to a mysterious fortune cookie. Together, the mother-daughter duo must figure out how to undo the strange curse before Tess gets married to her fiance, Ryan.

Overall, this movie is an absolute classic and a must-watch if you’ve never seen it. The more I watch it, the higher it rises on my favorite movies of all time list.

"Freaky Friday" is available to stream on Disney+.

"The Parent Trap" (1998)

Starring Lohan as both Annie and Hallie, "The Parent Trap" follows a pair of twins who are separated at birth but later reconnect at a summer camp. American-born Hallie, raised by the twins' father, and British Annie, raised by the twins' mother, come up with a plan to swap identities and return home from camp with the opposite parent to get to know them.

This movie is truly a masterpiece and a trip into a true live-action Disney classic. Watching a young Lohan portray both twins is extremely impressive, and the storyline is beyond heartwarming.

"The Parent Trap" is available to stream on Disney+.

"Mean Girls" (2004)

A film that has been certified as one of the most iconic movies of all time, "Mean Girls" follows Cady Heron, portrayed by Lohan, a transfer student from Africa. She doesn’t yet understand the ropes of a traditional American high school, and she quickly makes friends with infamous losers Janis Ian and Damian.

Cady decides to form a plan with her newfound friends to infiltrate and ruin "the plastics," a group of the most popular girls in school — made up of Regina George, Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith. Eventually, Cady realizes that she’s in too deep and has to mend her relationships with friends, family and teachers.

If you’ve somehow never seen this 2000s classic, it is an absolute must-watch. Filled with phenomenal acting and hilarious one-liners, "Mean Girls" has cemented itself as a touchstone in pop culture history for a reason.

"Mean Girls" is available to stream on Paramount+.

"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" (2004)

A lesser-known Lohan classic, "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" is well worth the watch. Starring Lohan as the motivated and dramatic teen Lola, the film follows her journey moving from dazzling New York City to suburban New Jersey. She has her sights set on becoming a famous Broadway actress, but the sudden move puts a damper on that dream.

In order to boost her chances of making it in show business, she becomes determined to become the most popular girl at her high school. This creates a sudden rivalry between her and queen-bee Carla, portrayed by Megan Fox. 

Overall this film is so fun to watch and is an early 2000s staple. It's a bit more underrated than the others on this list, so if you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend watching it.

"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" is available to stream on Disney+.