Lindsay Lohan first captured the spotlight in The Parent Trap (1998), a role that launched her into the public eye at the young age of twelve. Initially, she managed to transition from child star to respected young actress, thanks to her engaging performances in films like Freaky Friday (2003) and Mean Girls (2004). However, as time went on, Lindsay Lohan became more recognized for her highly publicized personal struggles than for her work on screen.
Born in New York City in 1986, Lindsay Lohan began her career early, signing with Ford Models as a toddler. By the time she was ten, she had already appeared in numerous high-profile commercials. Her first major acting role came when she was cast as Alli Turner on the daytime soap opera Another World (NBC, 1964–1999). Two years later, she skyrocketed to fame playing dual roles as the reunited twins Hallie and Annie in the remake of The Parent Trap (1998).
Following that success, Lindsay Lohan starred opposite Tyra Banks in Life-Size (2000) and played a teenage detective in Get a Clue (2002). She then reunited with Jamie Lee Curtis for the body-swap comedy Freaky Friday (2003), which was met with positive reviews. The next year, she scored another hit with Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004) and solidified her teen icon status with a standout performance in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls (2004).
Lohan proved her versatility by stepping into the music world, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with her debut album Speak. She then starred in Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), another Disney-inspired film, and later showcased her vocal talents in Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion (2006). She also earned praise for her supporting role in the ensemble drama Bobby (2006).
However, after the lukewarm reception of Just My Luck (2006), Lindsay Lohan’s career trajectory began to shift. Her performances in I Know Who Killed Me (2007) and Chapter 27 (2007) were both heavily criticized, and her role in Georgia Rule (2007) stirred controversy when a studio executive openly questioned her professionalism. Around this time, Lindsay Lohan also became a tabloid fixture due to her rocky relationships, multiple rehab stays, and arrests tied to substance abuse.
Despite the setbacks, she reminded audiences of her potential with a brief but impactful arc on Ugly Betty (ABC, 2006–2010) and a memorable performance as a tough nun in Machete (2010). Unfortunately, Labor Pains (2009) skipped theaters entirely, her portrayal of Elizabeth Taylor in Liz and Dick (2012) was widely mocked, and the production of The Canyons (2013) was marred by behind-the-scenes drama. Her reality series Lindsay (OWN, 2014) was canceled after just one season.
Still, Lindsay Lohan found success in other formats, stepping in for Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately (E!, 2007–2014), making her West End stage debut in Speed-the-Plow, and portraying Katerina, Don Johnson’s daughter, in the dark comedy Sick Note (Sky One, 2017– ). After a long hiatus, she made a return to feature films with the supernatural thriller The Shadow Within (2018), signaling yet another chapter in the ever-evolving story of Lindsay Lohan.
When it comes to Lindsay Lohan’s career highlights, one name that consistently stands out is Freaky Friday from 2003—it’s widely regarded as Lindsay Lohan’s highest-rated film to date. Critics and fans alike praised her performance, showcasing her talent during a pivotal point in her career. On the other hand, when we look at the lower end of the spectrum, Lindsay Lohan’s role in InAPPropriate Comedy (2013) received notably poor reviews, making it her lowest rated project overall. While Lindsay Lohan has taken on various roles over the years, these two titles really mark the highs and lows in terms of critical reception. It’s interesting to see how Lindsay Lohan’s film journey has had such contrasting moments, with Freaky Friday shining brightly compared to later works like InAPPropriate Comedy.