Young Actresses Who Completely Rebounded From Flops

The entertainment industry is notoriously unforgiving when it comes to box office failures or critical disappointments. Many promising careers have stalled after a high-profile project failed to connect with audiences or critics. However, true talent often finds a way to persevere through setbacks and emerge stronger on the other side. The following young actresses faced significant professional hurdles early in their careers but managed to turn things around with remarkable resilience.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie faced a difficult period at the box office with the consecutive failures of ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘Babylon’. These ambitious films featured star-studded casts but struggled to recoup their massive budgets during a volatile time for theatrical releases. Robbie silenced all doubters by producing and starring in the global phenomenon ‘Barbie’. The film broke numerous records and solidified her status as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. Her ability to pivot from period dramas to a cultural touchstone demonstrated her exceptional business acumen and acting range.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence experienced a rare slump with the critical and commercial disappointment of ‘Dark Phoenix’. The superhero film was plagued by production issues and received negative reviews that seemed to impact her momentum. She took a brief hiatus before returning with the satire ‘Don’t Look Up’ and the R-rated comedy ‘No Hard Feelings’. Both projects showcased her versatility and reminded audiences of her unique screen presence. Lawrence successfully transitioned from franchise fatigue to choosing roles that highlight her comedic and dramatic strengths.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh found herself at the center of a media storm surrounding the release of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. The drama behind the scenes often overshadowed the film itself and the movie received mixed reviews from critics. She quickly shifted the narrative by delivering a standout performance in the blockbuster ‘Oppenheimer’. Pugh continued her winning streak with a pivotal role in the massive sci-fi hit ‘Dune: Part Two’. Her career trajectory proves that talent can outshine even the most chaotic promotional cycles.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy starred in ‘The New Mutants’ which suffered from years of delays and eventually flopped upon release. The film was the final entry in a dying franchise and failed to resonate with general audiences. She immediately rebounded by starring in the streaming sensation ‘The Queen’s Gambit’. The limited series won her a Golden Globe and launched her into the A-list stratosphere. Taylor-Joy has since become a fashion icon and a highly sought-after leading lady in major studio films.

Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney dealt with internet memes and critical panning following her role in the superhero film ‘Madame Web’. The movie was a box office bomb that many feared would hurt the rising stars attached to it. Sweeney seemingly brushed off the failure by producing and starring in the horror hit ‘Immaculate’. She also found massive success with the romantic comedy ‘Anyone But You’ which became a sleeper hit in theaters. Her savvy career moves have ensured that one misstep did not define her rising trajectory.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart struggled to find her footing in big-budget action films like the reboot of ‘Charlie’s Angels’. The movie failed to launch a new franchise and underperformed significantly at the global box office. Stewart pivoted back to her indie roots and delivered a transformative performance as Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination and restored her reputation as a serious dramatic actress. She continues to choose challenging projects that distance her from commercial failures.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner faced intense scrutiny after leading the ill-fated ‘Dark Phoenix’ which effectively ended that iteration of the X-Men universe. The failure of such a massive tentpole movie placed a heavy burden on her young shoulders. She successfully transitioned to television with a highly praised performance in the crime drama ‘The Staircase’. Turner proved she could handle complex and mature material outside of the fantasy genre. Her recent work demonstrates a careful selection of roles that highlight her dramatic capabilities.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley saw her franchise potential dwindle when ‘The Divergent Series: Allegiant’ performed so poorly that the final installment was cancelled. The abrupt end to the series could have been a career-ending blow for a young franchise star. She reinvented herself by joining the ensemble cast of the critical darling ‘Big Little Lies’. The show became a massive cultural hit and earned her an Emmy nomination. Woodley successfully transitioned from teen dystopian films to prestigious adult dramas.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins attempted to launch a young adult franchise with ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ but the film disappointed financially. Plans for sequels were shelved and her status as a leading lady was temporarily in question. She found global stardom on the small screen with the polarizing but incredibly popular series ‘Emily in Paris’. The show became one of the most-watched series on streaming platforms and turned her into a household name. Collins turned a film failure into a lucrative and enduring television empire.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez struggled to transition from child star to adult actress with the critical and commercial failure of the action film ‘Getaway’. The movie holds an incredibly low rating on review aggregators and did little to advance her film career. She reinvented her acting image by starring in the mystery-comedy series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. The show received universal acclaim and earned her nominations for her acting and producing work. Gomez effectively proved she could hold her own alongside comedy legends.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld starred in the ‘Transformers’ spin-off ‘Bumblebee’ which received praise but had a softer box office performance than its predecessors. She also faced the disappointment of the ‘Ender’s Game’ adaptation earlier in her career. Steinfeld solidified her fan base by taking on the role of Kate Bishop in the series ‘Hawkeye’. She also voiced the lead character in the critically acclaimed ‘Spider-Verse’ animated films. These roles cemented her place in successful franchises after earlier stumbling blocks.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch was the lead in ‘Vampire Academy’ which was intended to be the next big vampire franchise but flopped hard. The film failed to capture the audience of similar book adaptations and sequels were immediately cancelled. Deutch rebuilt her career by starring in the beloved romantic comedy ‘Set It Up’. The film is often credited with revitalizing the rom-com genre on streaming services. She has since become a reliable lead for both comedies and independent dramas.

Maika Monroe

Maika Monroe starred in the blockbuster sequel ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ which was panned by critics and disappointed domestic audiences. The film failed to launch her as a mainstream action star as some had predicted. She returned to her horror roots and found massive success with the recent viral hit ‘Longlegs’. Her performance in the thriller ‘Watcher’ also garnered critical praise and solidified her status as a scream queen. Monroe proved that niche genre dominance is often more valuable than generic blockbuster roles.

Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler faced a box office disaster with the superhero sequel ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. The film was one of the lowest-grossing entries in its cinematic universe and received poor reviews. She quickly rebounded by leading the prequel ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’. The film was a financial success and praised for her vocal and acting performance. Zegler demonstrated her ability to carry a major franchise film despite previous setbacks.

Chloë Grace Moretz

Chloë Grace Moretz headlined ‘The 5th Wave’ which was a critical failure and failed to launch a planned trilogy. The young adult adaptation was seen as a derivative attempt to cash in on a fading trend. She took a step back and chose eclectic voice roles and the sci-fi series ‘The Peripheral’. Her voice work in ‘Nimona’ received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Moretz has successfully moved into more experimental and mature roles.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne starred in the expensive sci-fi flop ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. The film was a notorious box office bomb that lost the studio a significant amount of money. She recovered by joining the ensemble cast of the fantasy series ‘Carnival Row’ and the hit show ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Her transition to television allowed her to develop characters over longer arcs. Delevingne has proven she can contribute meaningfully to successful ensemble projects.

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander took on the iconic role of Lara Croft in ‘Tomb Raider’ but the film received a lukewarm reception and the sequel was cancelled. The cancellation was a blow to her potential as an action franchise lead. She pivoted back to intense dramas with her role as Katherine Parr in ‘Firebrand’. Vikander also starred in the meta-series ‘Irma Vep’ which was well-received by critics. She has returned to the prestige filmmaking that originally won her an Oscar.

Alexandra Daddario

Alexandra Daddario played a lead role in the ‘Baywatch’ movie reboot which was trashed by critics and underperformed domestically. The comedy failed to launch her as a major film star despite the high-profile cast. She completely reinvented her image with a critically acclaimed role in the first season of ‘The White Lotus’. Her performance earned her an Emmy nomination and opened doors to more dramatic work. Daddario successfully shed the swimsuit image for complex character work.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen starred in the remake of ‘Oldboy’ which was a critical and commercial failure early in her career. The film is often cited as one of the worst remakes in recent memory. She rebounded spectacularly by joining a major superhero universe and eventually headlining the miniseries ‘WandaVision’. The show became a cultural phenomenon and earned her critical acclaim. Olsen transformed from an indie darling with a flop on her resume to a global superstar.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson starred in the musical romantic comedy ‘Basmati Blues’ which was shelved for years and ridiculed upon release. The project is often considered a low point in an otherwise stellar filmography. She rebounded by winning an Academy Award for ‘Room’ and leading the billion-dollar hit ‘Captain Marvel’. Larson recently found streaming success with the limited series ‘Lessons in Chemistry’. Her career trajectory shows that buried projects do not have to dictate a star’s future.

Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley faced a difficult post-franchise period with the release of the long-delayed ‘Chaos Walking’. The film underwent extensive reshoots and lost a significant amount of money for the studio. She rebuilt her momentum with the well-received drama ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. The film showcased her physical dedication and dramatic range beyond space operas. Ridley has begun to carve out a niche in inspirational biographical films.

Kathryn Newton

Kathryn Newton had a major role in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ which was critically panned and underperformed at the box office. The film’s reception was a stumbling block for her introduction into a massive franchise. She quickly followed up with the cult horror-comedy ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ and the vampire film ‘Abigail’. Both movies allowed her to display her comedic timing and horror sensibilities. Newton is fast becoming a favorite in the genre film community.

Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever starred in the film adaptation of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ which was widely mocked for its casting choices and direction. The movie became a punching bag on social media and failed to connect with audiences. She reminded viewers of her immense talent with her role in the drama series ‘Dopesick’. Dever also led the sci-fi thriller ‘No One Will Save You’ to critical acclaim. Her ability to switch between intense drama and genre thrills has kept her in high demand.

Joey King

Joey King appeared in the critical disaster ‘Slender Man’ and the widely panned sequel ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’. These films did little to showcase her actual acting abilities to a broader audience. She transformed her career with a shocking performance in the true-crime series ‘The Act’. This role earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. King has since balanced her career with successful action films like ‘Bullet Train’.

Lana Condor

Lana Condor made her debut as Jubilee in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ but her scenes were mostly cut and the film received mixed reviews. It was an underwhelming start that could have left her forgotten in Hollywood. She skyrocketed to fame with the romantic comedy ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’. The film spawned a successful trilogy and made her a streaming star. Condor successfully leveraged that success into a steady career in comedy and animation.

Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke starred in the social media satire ‘Mainstream’ which received negative reviews and failed to make a splash. The film was seen by many as a misfire that did not utilize her talents effectively. She found her breakout moment by joining the cast of ‘Stranger Things’ in its third season. Her character became an instant fan favorite and secured her place in pop culture. Hawke has since utilized that platform to launch a successful music career and star in other films like ‘Do Revenge’.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke struggled to transfer her television success to film with ‘Terminator Genisys’ which failed to reboot the franchise. She also starred in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ which was the first box office bomb in that series’ history. She maintained her A-list status through the conclusion of her hit fantasy show and recent rom-com work. Clarke recently received praise for her theater work and remains a beloved figure in the industry. She has proven that franchise film stumbles cannot erase a decade of television dominance.

Lily James

Lily James starred in the genre mashup ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ which failed to find an audience at the box office. The film was a commercial flop that stalled her momentum as an action lead. She rebounded with a role in the hit film ‘Baby Driver’ and a transformative performance in ‘Pam & Tommy’. The latter earned her nominations for an Emmy and a Golden Globe. James has established herself as a versatile actress capable of disappearing into real-life figures.

Mackenzie Davis

Mackenzie Davis was the lead in ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ which received decent reviews but lost millions at the box office. The financial failure of the movie effectively killed the franchise again. She pivoted to the critically acclaimed miniseries ‘Station Eleven’. The show is regarded as one of the best pieces of television in recent years. Davis proved she excels in character-driven narratives rather than just blockbuster spectacles.

Naomi Scott

Naomi Scott starred as the Pink Ranger in the ‘Power Rangers’ reboot which underperformed and had its sequels cancelled. She then starred in the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reboot which also flopped at the box office. Scott rebounded with the massive success of the live-action ‘Aladdin’ and the recent horror hit ‘Smile 2’. Her performance in the horror sequel was praised for its physical and emotional intensity. She has shown remarkable tenacity in bouncing back from failed franchise starters.

Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced starred in ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ which was a critical low point for the series and underperformed domestically. She also led the live-action ‘Dora’ movie which was well-liked but not a massive blockbuster. Merced recently found major success with a key role in ‘Alien: Romulus’. She is also set to appear in the highly anticipated second season of ‘The Last of Us’. Her career is currently on a sharp upward trajectory despite earlier blockbusters fizzling out.

Cailee Spaeny

Cailee Spaeny starred in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ which failed to capture the magic of the original and disappointed at the box office. The sequel did not turn her into the action star the studio likely intended. She reinvented herself as an indie darling with her award-winning performance in ‘Priscilla’. Spaeny followed this with a lead role in the successful dystopian thriller ‘Civil War’. She has effectively transitioned from generic blockbusters to auteur-driven cinema.

Melissa Barrera

Melissa Barrera starred in the film adaptation of ‘In the Heights’ which received great reviews but bombed at the box office. The commercial failure was a shock to many who predicted it would be a summer hit. She quickly rebounded by leading the revival of the ‘Scream’ franchise. The horror films were massive hits and established her as a capable physical performer. Barrera proved that she could draw audiences in the right genre.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg starred in the film adaptation of ‘The Darkest Minds’ which failed to launch a planned young adult franchise. The movie was a critical and commercial disappointment that came at the end of the YA trend. She rebounded with the slasher comedy ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ which became a cult hit. Stenberg also received acclaim for her voice work in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’. She continues to take risks with interesting and subversive genre projects.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning starred in the crime drama ‘Live by Night’ which was a major box office bomb for the studio. The film’s failure was a rare blemish on her extensive filmography. She found a career-defining role as Catherine the Great in the satirical series ‘The Great’. The show ran for three seasons and earned her numerous award nominations. Fanning demonstrated a comedic brilliance that was previously underutilized in her dramatic film work.

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning had a quiet period with films like ‘Effie Gray’ which failed to make a significant impact. She transitioned from child stardom to adult roles with some difficulty as several projects went unnoticed. She rebounded with a key role in the hit series ‘The Alienist’ and the recent Netflix series ‘The Perfect Couple’. Her performance in the stylish thriller ‘Ripley’ also reminded audiences of her talent. Fanning has successfully navigated the treacherous path from child prodigy to working adult actress.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan starred in the ensemble comedy ‘The Bubble’ which was widely panned by critics and audiences alike. The Netflix film was considered a misfire for the comedy masterminds behind it. She shook off the negative reception by returning for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. The film was a massive financial and critical success that concluded her character’s arc perfectly. Gillan remains a highly bankable star in the sci-fi and action genres.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega appeared in the horror-comedy ‘Studio 666’ which received mixed reviews and made very little impact at the box office. It was a smaller project that failed to utilize her growing popularity. She exploded into global superstardom shortly after with the release of the series ‘Wednesday’. The show broke streaming records and established her as a Gen Z icon. Ortega has since leveraged that success to become a producer and lead in major studio films.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens starred in the visually ambitious but critically reviled ‘Sucker Punch’. The film was a box office disappointment that divided audiences and critics sharply. She found a massive second wind with ‘The Princess Switch’ trilogy on Netflix. Hudgens also received critical acclaim for her role in the musical drama ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. She successfully carved out a niche as a streaming queen and a respected musical performer.

Victoria Justice

Victoria Justice starred in the Halloween comedy ‘Fun Size’ which was a critical and commercial flop. The film failed to launch her film career in the way many expected after her television success. She eventually found her footing in the romantic comedy genre with the streaming hit ‘A Perfect Pairing’. Justice also starred in the supernatural film ‘Afterlife of the Party’ which performed well for Netflix. She has built a solid career leading comforting genre films for streaming audiences.

Please share your thoughts on which actress had the most impressive comeback in the comments.