20 Forgotten 2000s Stars Who Deserve a Comeback

20 Forgotten 2000s Stars Who Deserve a Comeback

Remember when flip phones snapped shut, eyeliner was heavy, and every movie soundtrack had at least one smash hit? The 2000s gave us icons who ruled box offices, airwaves, and our AIM away messages—and then seemingly drifted out of the spotlight.

But many of those stars still have the talent, the story, and the fanbase to light up culture again. Here are 20 forgotten 2000s favorites who deserve a comeback, and exactly why we’re ready to cheer them on.

1. Mischa Barton

The O.C.’s sun-kissed melancholy had a face, and it was hers—vulnerable, watchful, and unforgettable. Her character defined a generation of teen drama, yet after the show’s peak, the headlines eclipsed the work. That history shouldn’t be the last word on her abilities.

She has a natural, unforced screen presence that sells both glossy glamour and shaky fragility. Indie filmmakers crave that duality, and prestige TV thrives on layered comebacks with a bite. Casting directors know audiences crave recognition mixed with discovery.

A smart return would pair her with a sharp, coastal-noir thriller or a dramedy about second chances. Give her a messy, complicated lead—someone clawing toward reinvention, just like the meta narrative. Audiences would tune in for nostalgia, but stay for the chops. It’s time the camera caught her in golden hour again.

2. Josh Hartnett

In an era of high-octane blockbusters, he projected wounded heroism better than almost anyone. Choosing privacy over the nonstop press cycle, he stepped away right as his star was brightest. That retreat gave him mystique—and surprisingly, longevity.

Today’s audience appreciates actors who don’t feel algorithmically overexposed. His grounded magnetism would thrive in grown-up genre pieces: cerebral sci-fi, tense thrillers, or character-driven war dramas. The quiet intensity he carried in Black Hawk Down deserves a modern reintroduction.

Pair him with an A24-style director or a taut limited series with ethical murk. Let the camera linger, allowing that restrained charisma to simmer. A role as a reluctant leader on the edge—think moral gray zones, impossible choices—could be his next signature. He didn’t vanish; he recalibrated. Bring on the second act.

3. Shannyn Sossamon

Music in the eyes, mischief in the smile—her presence was a spell in early-2000s films. She made playful rebellion feel elegant, turning quirky roles into pop-culture signatures. Then, just as distinctiveness became currency, she slipped off the mainstream radar.

Hollywood needs actors who don’t look or move like anyone else. Her rhythm, that idiosyncratic delivery, fits right into today’s oddball prestige comedies and dreamy indie horror. Casting her is an instant tone-setter: cool, eccentric, oddly timeless.

Imagine a Phoebe Waller-Bridge or Yorgos Lanthimos project built around her mercurial charisma. Or a moody, music-inflected series where she’s the enigmatic anchor. With the right team, she could reframe the “quirky girl” trope as grown, layered womanhood. The revival would feel less like a comeback and more like a long-awaited second movement.

4. Freddie Prinze Jr.

The late-’90s and early-2000s rom-com throne had a charming, eyebrow-raising king. He mastered endearing sincerity without edging into schmaltz, a rare trick worth revisiting. While he pivoted to voice work and family life, audiences never forgot that smile.

Rom-coms are back, but they’re smarter, snarkier, and more self-aware. He’d thrive as the witty single dad, the formerly famous crush, or the restaurateur clinging to a neighborhood institution. Nostalgia would pull viewers in; warm timing would keep them there.

Give him a script with food, banter, and a second-chance romance, and watch social media melt. Add a directors’ cameo nod to She’s All That, and boom: viral moment. He doesn’t need reinvention—just reintroduction with better lighting and sharper dialogue. The genre missed him more than it realized.

5. Rachael Leigh Cook

She anchored teen cinema with a mix of sweetness, irony, and underdog grit. After the spotlight cooled, she built a steady career in smaller projects and producing. That quiet evolution deserves a louder celebration.

Audiences love a grounded lead who can nail dry humor and heartfelt sincerity. As rom-coms and cozy mysteries boom, she’s perfectly positioned for witty, adult-centered love stories. Think bookstore owner meets chaotic chef, or art teacher solves community caper.

A streaming series with tactile charm—vinyl shops, neighborhood fairs, found family—would suit her tone. Lean into humor that winks at her She’s All That legacy without leaning on it. The glow-up isn’t cosmetic; it’s narrative. She’s still the person you root for, now with producer savvy to match.

6. Eliza Dushku

Bring It On brought fire; Buffy gave her fangs. She embodied tough-as-nails vulnerability before it was a streaming trope. Though she stepped back from Hollywood, her fanbase never left.

Today’s action shows hunger for complex women who punch and ponder. She could headline a bruised, noir-tinged vigilante saga or a corporate espionage thriller with moral bite. The physicality is baked in; the emotional undercurrents are the draw.

Picture a gritty Boston-set series with family loyalties, union politics, and shadowy fixers. She’d navigate it with streetwise empathy and a signature smirk. That combination—grit plus grace—feels overdue for a comeback victory lap. Give her sharp writing and she’ll do the rest.

7. Tobey Maguire

With earnest eyes behind a web-slinger mask, he made superhero sincerity cool. The quiet years since have only deepened his aura of mystery. That understatement could be his secret weapon now.

Superhero fatigue begs for character-first storytelling, and he’s built for it. Imagine him as a world-weary mentor, or in a melancholic crime drama with existential stakes. His restraint turns silence into subtext—gold for prestige filmmakers.

A limited series from a top auteur would be ideal—slow-burn tension, morally tangled leads, a role that comments on fame. Or a left-field comedy playing against type, leaning into awkward charm. Either way, he’s not a relic; he’s a resource. Let the camera rediscover the quiet storm.

8. Liv Tyler

Elegance with a whisper: she floated through late-’90s and 2000s epics like myth made modern. From Armageddon to Middle-earth, she lent heart to spectacle. Her screen stillness invites you closer.

In today’s fantasy-TV renaissance, she’s perfect for regal, conflicted leaders or haunted heroines. She can carry a kingdom’s weight while revealing the human underneath. Historical dramas, too, would benefit from her unhurried gravitas.

Picture a sweeping saga about a crumbling dynasty, or a contemporary gothic set in a decaying coastal mansion. The camera loves faces that can hold a secret; hers can hold a universe. Bring her back, and watch a genre remember its soul.

9. Mandy Moore (as an actress)

Audiences rediscovered her depth on This Is Us, but that’s just one chapter. She blends warmth with steel, turning ordinary moments into emotional detonations. The music career’s quieter phase only sharpens her acting range.

There’s room for her in mid-budget films about complicated adulthood—careers, caregiving, and second chances. She’d also shine in music-inflected narratives without being the ingénue. Think tour manager drama or songwriter-in-retreat story.

A bittersweet ensemble dramedy would let her anchor while sharing the spotlight. Alternatively, a limited series about an artist balancing fame and family would echo, not copy, her life. Give her layered scripts and she’ll make them sing. She’s not a comeback; she’s continuity.

10. Brendan Fraser

The Whale proved the heart never left; we just missed the adventure. In the 2000s, he balanced swashbuckling charm with pure decency like no one else. That blend is rare—and needed.

Action-adventure is having a practical-stunts revival, and he’s tailor-made for it. Cast him as the seasoned explorer with creaky knees and sharper wits, guiding a chaotic new team. Let humor and heart co-pilot the set pieces.

A globe-trotting caper about lost libraries or cursed cartography could be catnip. Alternatively, a cozy mystery franchise with pulp edges would delight. He brings humanity to spectacle, reminding us why we root for heroes. Give the man a map and a leather satchel, and roll camera.

11. Ashlee Simpson

Every era deserves its own eyelinered rebel, and she was ours. The 2000s pop-punk palette—raspy hooks, diary-scribble confessions—fit her like a leather jacket. Time and memes shouldn’t be the final footnote.

Pop-punk is resurging, now polished with grown-up reflections. A return with tight songwriting, live-band grit, and candid lyrics about motherhood, fame, and do-overs could land hard. Collaborations with scene veterans and hyper-pop tinkerers would bridge eras.

Drop a confident EP, shoot a sweaty club tour, and let authenticity bulldoze old narratives. Visuals that wink at the SNL moment while reclaiming it would trend for days. The sound was always there; the story’s richer now. Cue the reintroduction.

12. Michelle Branch

Guitar-strapped sincerity never goes out of style, and she wrote anthems for long drives and longer feelings. Everywhere and Breathe weren’t just hits; they were lifelines. The craftsmanship still rings.

Adult-alternative radio and festival circuits are hungry for melodic honesty. A rootsy, sunlit record with crisp harmonies and highway drums would slide right in. Team-ups with Phoebe Bridgers or Haim-adjacent producers would be inspired.

Imagine a documentary-style tour film intercut with songwriting sessions on porches. Vinyl-first rollout, intimate theaters, communal singalongs—the whole heart-on-sleeve experience. She doesn’t need reinvention, just a clear lane. And the open road is waiting.

13. Nelly Furtado

Few artists shapeshifted as boldly, from folk-pop birdcalls to Timbaland-slick club thunder. Loose still echoes across modern playlists, its DNA spliced into today’s pop. The mainstream silence since only heightened the intrigue.

A comeback could weave global rhythms, bilingual hooks, and experimental R&B textures. Reuniting with bold producers—or mentoring a new wave—would spark cross-generational buzz. She’s always been restless; lean into that curiosity.

Visuals should feel kinetic and international: street markets, rooftop dances, lush color stories. Drop a surprise single with a percussive heartbeat and a hook that won’t quit. The culture loves a left turn, especially from the original shapeshifter. Let her fly weird and high.

14. Avril Lavigne

Skate shoes, smudged eyeliner, and a voice that rolled its eyes while bleeding a little—she owned a vibe. Even with continued releases, fans crave the jagged early edge. That energy can evolve without pretending to be 17.

Put her in pop-punk 2.0 with grown-woman candor and gnarled guitars. Lyrics about resilience, weird fame, and messy love would resonate across generations. Bring in Travis Barker drums and a female-led guitar army.

A loud, glossy-raw album cycle with basement shows and arena singalongs could reset the narrative. Let the visuals nod to ties and tanks while reinventing silhouettes. She’s the blueprint; now be the upgrade. The chorus writes itself.

15. Jesse McCartney

A teen idol’s cheekbones can overshadow the pen behind the hits. He quietly became a songwriter’s songwriter, but the spotlight never fully followed. That’s an opportunity waiting to glow.

Modern pop favors clean melodies and earnest storytelling—his wheelhouse. A mature synth-pop record with shimmering choruses and vulnerable bridges could break big. Feature swaps with rising R&B-pop artists would broaden reach.

Launch with a nostalgic-tinged single that flips Beautiful Soul into grown-up reflections. Pair it with a tasteful, dance-forward video and an intimate fan tour. He’s always had the goods; now he has the perspective. Time to step back into frame.

16. JoJo

That voice arrived fully formed, then got trapped behind contractual walls. When she finally resurfaced, the power and control were somehow even better. Justice delayed shouldn’t mean spotlight denied.

She’s perfect for R&B that balances throwback warmth with contemporary polish. Live-session arrangements, churchy harmonies, and lyrical frankness would showcase the instrument. Collaborations with Jazmine Sullivan or Victoria Monét would be electric.

A Tiny Desk-style tour, with strings and smoky lighting, could go viral. Give her a heartbreak banger and a triumphant closer, and watch the streams climb. She’s overdue for the big, undeniable moment her talent demands. Let the mic do the talking.

17. Leona Lewis

When Bleeding Love hit, time stopped—a vocal freight train wrapped in silk. The years since have been quieter, but the instrument remains cathedral-grade. Tasteful restraint could crown a return.

A cinematic soul record with orchestral swells and modern beats would suit her best. Think Adele-adjacent drama, but with a crystalline top end only she can deliver. Choose songs that build like storms.

Pair the rollout with grand, minimalist visuals: echoing halls, sweeping gowns, stark color palettes. A Vegas residency or limited symphonic tour could reintroduce majesty. The voice is still the headline; give it a marquee.

18. Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child)

The harmony queen often stood between two megastars, but her tone cuts like sunlight through stained glass. Gospel, theater, pop—she’s fluent in all three. The range invites a fresh chapter.

A project blending inspirational R&B with Broadway-level storytelling could be a signature. Concept album first, stage adaptation second—think empowerment arcs with choir textures. Feature a few joyful dance tracks to keep it buoyant.

She shines as a host and mentor, too; a music-competition series could showcase leadership. But the headline is new music that feels like testimony and groove. Give her the spotlight she helped build. The harmony can lead, for once.

19. Vanessa Carlton

A Thousand Miles never stopped floating through coffee shops and open windows. The piano pop laureate matured into indie-folk delicacy, often overlooked. It’s time to amplify the quiet.

She’s ideal for chamber-pop with intimate storytelling—strings, brushed drums, woodwinds. A concept album about city wandering and small miracles could captivate. Partner with Sufjan-adjacent arrangers or Olafur Arnalds-type atmospherics.

Pair the release with living-room concerts and a visual album of city vignettes. Vinyl with handwritten notes would sell out fast. Her melodies always find the softest parts of us. Let them ring louder.

20. The All-American Rejects

Few bands captured the smirk-and-swoon of 2000s alt-pop like they did. Choruses were sticky; guitars snapped like bubblegum with teeth. Nostalgia festivals proved the crowd still shouts every word.

A sharp, power-pop return with jagged humor would land perfectly now. Produce with someone who loves hooks and hates filler. Lyrics that roast aging scenesters—including themselves—could be instant classics.

Kick off with a chaotic, one-take music video in a bowling alley turned mosh pit. Follow with a tour that pairs them with new-wave pop-punk upstarts. The formula isn’t broken; it just needs a fresh coat of sarcasm. Turn the amps back up.