Editing Sarah Michelle Gellar (section)

===Worldwide recognition (1997–2003)===
After reading the script for [[Joss Whedon]]'s television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', which follows [[Buffy Summers]], a teenager burdened with the responsibility of fighting occult foes and supernatural occurrences, Gellar screen tested for the role of [[Cordelia Chase]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Visintainer |first=Carrie |url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/01/25-little-known-facts-about-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/ |title=25 Little-Known Facts About 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' |work=Thought Catalog |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826172444/http://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/01/25-little-known-facts-about-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Whedon then asked her to come back in and audition for the title role.<ref name="smgauditions">Havens, pp. 35–36.</ref><ref name="Gellarearlyyears" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NVoZAwAAQBAJ&q=1995%20gellar%20announced%20her%20departure%20from%20the%20show&pg=PT100 |title=The Girl's Got Bite: The Original Unauthorized Guide to Buffy's World |first=Kathleen |last=Tracy |date=April 29, 2014 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |via=Google Books |isbn=9781466869912 |access-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201439/https://books.google.com/books?id=NVoZAwAAQBAJ&q=1995%20gellar%20announced%20her%20departure%20from%20the%20show&pg=PT100 |url-status=live }}</ref> The show premiered in March 1997, to widespread critical and popular acclaim.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 1 Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805163631/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer |url-status=live }}</ref> Gellar's Buffy, created to subvert the stereotypical female [[horror movie]] victim,<ref>{{cite book |last=Billson |first=Anne |author-link=Anne Billson |title=''Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BFI TV Classics S.)'' |publisher=British Film Institute |year=2005 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/buffyvampireslay0000bill/page/24 24–25] |isbn=1-84457-089-4 |title-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BFI TV Classics S.) }}</ref> was described by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' as one of the 100 greatest female characters in [[Television in the United States|American television]].<ref name="buffy" /><ref name="buffy2">{{cite web |last=Potts |first=Kim |title=100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/03/02/tvs-greatest-women-25-1/ |work=AOL TV |access-date=July 20, 2012 |date=November 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702004219/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/03/02/tvs-greatest-women-25-1/ |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Buffy'' ran for seven seasons and 144 episodes,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/ranking-every-episode-of-buffy-the-vampire-slayer#.cj5XkKbpD |title=Ranking Every Episode Of 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' |work=BuzzFeed |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829193049/http://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/ranking-every-episode-of-buffy-the-vampire-slayer#.cj5XkKbpD |url-status=live }}</ref> and during its broadcast, earned Gellar four [[Teen Choice Awards]], the [[Saturn Award]] for Best Genre Television Actress, and a [[Golden Globe Award]] nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama|Best Actress – Television Series Drama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackflix.com/articles/globe_noms_2001.html |title=Golden Globe Noms for 2001 |work=Blackflix.com |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191614/http://www.blackflix.com/articles/globe_noms_2001.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She sang during the series' musical episode "[[Once More, with Feeling (Buffy episode)|Once More, with Feeling]]", which spawned an original [[cast album]], released in 2002.<ref>Randy Lewis (September 23, 2002). "In The Know; Musical 'Buffy' Finally Lands in Stores", ''Los Angeles Times. p. F6.''</ref><ref>Hill, Melinda [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r607743|pure_url=yes}} Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling <nowiki>[</nowiki>Musical Episode Soundtrack<nowiki>]</nowiki>], Allmusic.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.</ref>

During the early airing of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', Gellar made her first major film appearances in two successful [[slasher film]]s. In  ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' (1997), she took on the role of ill-fated beauty queen [[Helen Shivers]].<ref name="SFChronicle">{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Last-Summer-Offers-Thrills-But-2801119.php |title=FILM REVIEW – 'Last Summer' Offers Thrills But No 'Scream' |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=February 26, 2022 |first=Mick |last=Lasalle |date=October 17, 1997 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226234611/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Last-Summer-Offers-Thrills-But-2801119.php |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Washington Post]]'' found the cast to be "solid",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/iknowwhatyoudidlastsummerharr.htm |title='Summer' Time: The Living is Deadly |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 12, 2012 |date=March 26, 1998 |archive-date=December 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216161139/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/iknowwhatyoudidlastsummerharr.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> in what ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' described as a "competent but uninspired" film.<ref name="SFChronicle"/> Budgeted at US$17{{nbsp}}million, the film made US$125{{nbsp}}million globally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=iknowwhatyoudidlastsummer.htm |title=I Know What You Did Last Summer |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129025243/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=iknowwhatyoudidlastsummer.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_know_what_you_did_last_summer |title=I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104120034/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_know_what_you_did_last_summer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer |title=I Know What You Did Last Summer Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107130013/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer |url-status=live }}</ref> For her part, Gellar earned a [[Blockbuster Entertainment Award]] for Favorite Supporting Actress – Horror and a [[MTV Movie Award]] nomination for [[MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance|Best Breakthrough Performance]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://horrornews.net/63387/film-review-i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-1997/ |title=Film Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) |work=Horrornews.net |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912083253/http://horrornews.net/63387/film-review-i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-1997/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://filmsplusmovies.com/best-movies-of-sarah-michelle-gellar/ |title=Best Movies of Sarah Michelle Gellar |work=Filmsplusmovies.com |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029000151/http://filmsplusmovies.com/best-movies-of-sarah-michelle-gellar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[Scream 2]]'' (1997),<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/scream-2-1200452335 |title=Scream 2 Review |magazine=Variety |access-date=April 12, 2012 |first=Leonard |last=Klady |date=December 7, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108032508/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117912570?refcatid=31 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Gellar played a likewise ill-fated vain character, this time that of  [[Sorority]] sister [[List of Scream (film series) characters|Cici Cooper]]. She filmed her scenes in between shots of ''Buffy'' and had only recently finished work on ''I Know What You Did Last Summer''. Despite the hectic scheduling, she agreed to perform in ''Scream 2'' without having read the script, on the basis of the success of the first film.<ref>Wes Craven (September 26, 2000). Behind the 'Scream' documentary from Ultimate Scream Collection (DVD). United States: Dimension Home Video</ref> ''Scream 2'' grossed over US$172{{nbsp}}million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scream_2/ |title=Scream 2 (1997) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107015519/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scream_2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scream2.htm |title=Scream2 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502124801/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scream2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 1998, Gellar hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Episodes {{!}} 01.17.1998 |url=http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19980117 |website=SNL Archives |access-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227003024/http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19980117 |url-status=live }}</ref> She returned as a host in May 1999 and October 2002, and made two [[cameo appearance]]s in May 2000, including one in which she introduced [[Britney Spears]]' performance of "[[Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know]]". In 1998, she also provided her voice for the Gwendy Doll in ''[[Small Soldiers]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=smallsoldiers.htm |title=Small Soldiers (1998) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510074513/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=smallsoldiers.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and for the character of Marie in the ''[[King of the Hill]]'' episode "[[And They Call It Bobby Love]]".<ref name="gellarcareer" /> Gellar's cameo as a girl sitting in the high school cafeteria in the [[sleeper hit]] ''[[She's All That]]'' (1999)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shes-all-that-anniversary_n_4676561 |title=All The People You Forgot Were In 'She's All That' |work=HuffPost |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625234848/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shes-all-that-anniversary_n_4676561 |url-status=live }}</ref> was soon followed by her first top-billing film role, as a struggling restaurant owner, in the romantic comedy ''[[Simply Irresistible (film)|Simply Irresistible]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=simplyirresistible.htm |title=Simply Irresistible |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230001546/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=simplyirresistible.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/simply_irresistible/ |title=Simply Irresistible (1999) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-date=April 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419050144/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/simply_irresistible/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film received negative reviews and flopped at the box office,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chosentwo.com/buffy/ramble/ewgoodbyegirl.php |title=Much Ado About Buffy the Vampire Slayer |website=chosentwo.com |access-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213164010/http://www.chosentwo.com/buffy/ramble/ewgoodbyegirl.php |archive-date=February 13, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but [[Roger Ebert]] found her to be "lovely" in what he described as an "old-fashioned" comedy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/simply-irresistible-1999 |title=Simply Irresistible Movie Review (1999) |first=Roger |last=Ebert |website=Roger Ebert |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806171345/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/simply-irresistible-1999 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Roger Kumble]]'s ''[[Cruel Intentions]]'' (1999), a modern-day retelling of ''[[Les Liaisons dangereuses]]'', Gellar portrayed [[Kathryn Merteuil]], a cocaine addict with an appetite for manipulating people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://offscreen.com/view/cruel_intentions |title=When Pop Culture Meets High Literature. The case of Cruel Intentions and the epistolary novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Offscreen |work=Offscreen.com |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827092226/http://offscreen.com/view/cruel_intentions |url-status=live }}</ref> In his review for the film, Ebert felt that she is "effective as a bright girl who knows exactly how to use her act as a tramp",<ref name="ebert1">{{Cite news |work=RogerEbert.com |title=Cruel Intentions |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990305/REVIEWS/903050302/1023 |access-date=November 1, 2006 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=March 5, 1999 |archive-date=August 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808182325/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19990305%2FREVIEWS%2F903050302%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in an interview with ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', Kumble described her as "the most professional actor I ever worked with".<ref name="Gellarearlyyears" /> The film was a hit at the box office, grossing US$75{{nbsp}}million worldwide, and went on to become a [[cult following|cult classic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleenpatrick.com/interviews/SelmaBlair_FINAL.pdf |title=Selma Blair : Modest, Versatile And On Fire! |work=Colleenpatrick.com |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210922/http://colleenpatrick.com/interviews/SelmaBlair_FINAL.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/review-cruel-intentions/ |title=Review: "Cruel Intentions" |work=Dark Horizons |date=March 5, 2005 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202055319/http://www.darkhorizons.com/review-cruel-intentions/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Dennis |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-03-02/film/the-filth-element/ |title=The Filth Element |newspaper=The Village Voice |date=March 2, 1999 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209080122/http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-03-02/film/the-filth-element/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gellar and co-star [[Selma Blair]] obtained the Best Kiss award at the 2000 [[MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Waldholz |first=Chantal |url=http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/selma-blair-dishes-on-that-famous-cruel-intentions-kiss-with-sarah-michelle-gellar-47142 |title=Selma Blair Dishes on That Famous 'Cruel Intentions' Kiss With Sarah Michelle Gellar! – Life & Style |work=Lifeandstylemag.com |date=December 3, 2014 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827035817/http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/selma-blair-dishes-on-that-famous-cruel-intentions-kiss-with-sarah-michelle-gellar-47142 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/mtv-movie-awards-best-kiss-award-the-best-onstage-kisses-201444/37134 |title=Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Gellar Photo – MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss Award: The Best Onstage Kisses |work=Us Weekly |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818161043/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/mtv-movie-awards-best-kiss-award-the-best-onstage-kisses-201444/37134 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rodriguez |first=Javy |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/04/the-25-most-memorable-moments-in-mtv-movie-awards-history/memorable-moments-in-mtv-movie-awards-9 |title=The 25 Most Memorable Moments in MTV Movie Award History – The 25 Most Memorable Moments in MTV Movie Awards History |magazine=Complex |date=April 21, 2013 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826200256/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/04/the-25-most-memorable-moments-in-mtv-movie-awards-history/memorable-moments-in-mtv-movie-awards-9 |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', Gellar reprised her titular role for a three-episode arc, starting in 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-angel-crossover-episodes/ |title=Ranking the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel crossover episodes |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Kinane |first=Ruth |date=July 28, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>

In 2000, Gellar appeared as a film studio executive in the [[HBO]] series ''[[Sex and the City]]'' episode "[[List of Sex and the City episodes#43|Escape from New York]]". Her next film, [[James Toback]]'s independent drama ''[[Harvard Man]]'' (2001),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=harvardman.htm |title=Harvard Man (2002) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905202945/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=harvardman.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harvard_man/ |title=Harvard Man (2001) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=June 14, 2002 |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214101106/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harvard_man/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=A.{{nbsp}}O. |last=Scott |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/movies/film-review-hoops-love-lsd-and-the-mob-harvard-style.html |title=FILM REVIEW; Hoops, Love, LSD and the Mob, Harvard-Style |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 28, 2002 |access-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226234609/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/movies/film-review-hoops-love-lsd-and-the-mob-harvard-style.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in which she starred as the "sharp and shrewd" daughter of a mobster,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/harvard-man-2002 |title=Harvard Man |website=rogerebert.com |date=July 12, 2002 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> helped her shed her good girl image, along with ''Cruel Intentions'', according to [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/harvard-man-255729/ |title=Harvard Man: Review |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Peter |last=Travers |date=July 18, 2002 |access-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226234609/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/harvard-man-255729/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, Gellar portrayed [[Daphne Blake]] in the [[live action]]–comedy ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]''. For the production, she trained with a [[Hong Kong]] wire team, and commuted between [[Queensland]] and [[California]] every two weeks due to her simultaneous commitment to ''Buffy''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffy Joins New Scooby Gang {{!}} iofilm |url=https://iofilm.com/filmmaking/acting/2002-07-02-810-buffy-joins-new-scooby-gang |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=iofilm.com |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305114518/https://iofilm.com/filmmaking/acting/2002-07-02-810-buffy-joins-new-scooby-gang |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite negative reviews, [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' felt that her performance added "a snarl of ''Powerpuff'' feminism to her character's ditzy stereotype",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=2002-06-14 |title=FILM REVIEW; If the Saturday Morning Show Wasn't Enough . . . |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/14/movies/film-review-if-the-saturday-morning-show-wasn-t-enough.html |access-date=2023-03-31 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and with a global gross of US$275{{nbsp}}million,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scoobydoo.htm |title=Scooby-Doo (2002) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 23, 2013 |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424185226/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scoobydoo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Scooby-Doo'' emerged as Gellar's most widely seen film to date.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2002&p=.htm |title=2002 Worldwide Grosses |access-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124145559/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her role earned her the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Comedy.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2002/08/06/nelly-n-sync-get-teen-choice-kudos/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Gary|last=Susman|title=Nelly, 'N Sync get Teen Choice kudos|date=August 6, 2002|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625015119/https://ew.com/article/2002/08/06/nelly-n-sync-get-teen-choice-kudos/|url-status=live}}</ref> With  [[Jack Black]], she hosted the [[2002 MTV Movie Awards]], which attracted 7.1{{nbsp}}million viewers on its June 6 broadcast, achieving the show's highest rating ever at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-2002-mtv-movie-awards-are-most-watched-in-11-year-history-averaging-more-than-7-million-viewers-77820332.html |title='The 2002 MTV Movie Awards' are Most Watched in 11 Year History Averaging More Than 7{{nbsp}}Million Viewers |agency=PR Newswire |date=June 7, 2002 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829051455/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-2002-mtv-movie-awards-are-most-watched-in-11-year-history-averaging-more-than-7-million-viewers-77820332.html |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/television-mtv-idUSN0628806120110606 |title=MTV Movie Award ratings fall for second year |work=Reuters |date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827093730/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/television-mtv-idUSN0628806120110606 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During her growing film career, Gellar continued to work on ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', but she decided to leave the series after the seventh season. When asked why, she explained, "This isn't about leaving for a career in movies, or in theater –it's more of a personal decision. I need a rest."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/03/07/goodbye-girl/|title=The Goodbye Girl|first=Jeff|last=Jensen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012359/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C422783~3~0~sarahmichellegellarwhy%2C00.html|url-status=live|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=December 13, 2014 |date=March 3, 2007|access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="horizons1">{{cite web |work=[[Dark Horizons]] |title=Interview: Sarah Michelle Gellar for "The Grudge" |url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/interviews/458/ |access-date=November 1, 2006 |first=Paul |last=Fischer |date=October 11, 2004 |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223173910/https://www.darkhorizons.com/interviews/458/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jozic |first=Mike |url=http://www.mikejozic.com/buffyweek6.html |title=Week 6: David Fury |work=Meanwhile..... |date=September 2004 |access-date=January 12, 2007 |archive-date=May 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511081943/http://www.mikejozic.com/buffyweek6.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="scifi1">{{cite web |work=[[SciFi.com]] |title=Gellar Open To Angel Gig |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-tv.html?2004-03/03/17.00.tv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608195851/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-tv.html?2004-03%2F03%2F17.00.tv |archive-date=June 8, 2008 |date=March 3, 2004 |access-date=November 1, 2006}}</ref> In her feature in ''Esquire'' magazine, Gellar expressed her pride for her work on ''Buffy'', "I truly believe that it is one of the greatest shows of all time and it will go down in history as that. And I don't feel that that is a cocky statement. We changed the way that people looked at television."<ref name="Esquire UK">{{Cite journal |journal=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire UK]] |title=Sarah Michelle Gellar |date=December 2004}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref>