traveled the globe to promote his 2009 favorite, which costarred Matthew Perry
Taylor Swift and Zac Efron
17 Again can finally go to high school.
The beloved Zac Efron and Matthew Perry film — which debuted on April 17, 2024 — follows the story of Perry’s Mike O’Donnell, who gets a second chance at his younger days as he’s transformed back into a high schooler (played by Efron). The movie made $136 million worldwide and was a favorite among fans, holding an extra special place in hearts since Perry’s shocking death last year.
When the movie was coming out, though, it was Efron who traveled the globe, stopping in what feels like every big city imaginable to promote the film. And along the way, he met up with some famous friends and fans — including one Taylor Swift.
On the film’s 15th anniversary, look back on these photos of a young Zac Efron (he was 21 at the time!) on the global 17 Again press tour.
Sydney, Australia
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Zac Efron kicked off the 2009 17 Again press tour Down Under, premiering the film at Sydney’s Hoyts Cinema on March 11.
Sydney, Australia
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
While there, he linked up with none other than Taylor Swift, who was doing a week of concerts in Australia before launching her Fearless tour stateside.
Sydney, Australia
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
The megastars posed for a photo together before the film began.
Paris, France
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Two weeks later Zac Efron popped up in Paris, channeling Troy Bolton for a photo call at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée on March 24.
London, England
Gareth Cattermole/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
On March 26 he brought the film to London. While shooting the movie, “the girls would come out of class and scream through the windows,” costar Melora Hardin recalled to PEOPLE at the time. “Zac is truly dreamy.”
London, England
Dave Hogan/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
The London premiere took place at the Odeon West End.
Beverly Hills, California
Vera Anderson/WireImage
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Next it was on to Los Angeles, with an April 5 press day offering the perfect moment for his then-signature hairstyle. “It’s amazing; there’s so much emphasis put on my hair,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “It’s not a big deal. The day a director tells me to cut it, it’s gone.”
Hollywood, California
John Shearer/WireImage
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
The big L.A. premiere came on April 14 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where fans lined the streets to get a glimpse of the film’s stars.
Hollywood, California
Lester Cohen/WireImage
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Stars Michelle Trachtenberg, Zac Efron, Leslie Mann and Matthew Perry posed for photos together on the red carpet.
Hollywood, California
Kevin Winter/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Michelle Trachtenberg and Zac Efron shared a sweet moment amidst the chaos.
Hollywood, California
Kevin Winter/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
In such a 2009 moment, the finalists of that year’s season of American Idol came to the carpet and posed for pics with Zac Efron.
Hollywood, California
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
His High School Musical bestie Corbin Bleu came out to support him, too.
Hollywood, California
Lester Cohen/WireImage
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Oh and the Jonas Brothers were at the afterparty.
Berlin, Germany
MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/DDP/AFP via Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Then it was back to Europe, where Zac Efron premiered 17 Again to adoring fans on April 26.
Berlin, Germany
Sean Gallup/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
Seriously, every 17 Again red carpet pretty much looked like this.
Speaking to PEOPLE in 2009, Zac Efron said at 17 he was “a kid who has no idea what he’s in for. I was not the coolest kid in school, but I wasn’t a total pariah. I fell somewhere in between. I wore goofy hats to school and did musical theater. Most people thought I was a total weirdo. I was the coolest of the nerds.”
Madrid, Spain
Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
On April 28, Zac Efron was mad for plaid in Madrid.
In PEOPLE’s review of the film, our critic wrote, “Tween and teenage girls everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Efron, their dreamboat from the High School Musical franchise, can easily carry a movie on his skinny shoulders. He shows a breezy self-assurance and considerable comic chops in 17 Again.”
Madrid, Spain
Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
The April 28 Madrid premiere brought a sleeker style from the star.
Madrid, Spain
Fotonoticias/WireImage
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
“He was so funny and so smart that it was almost a little depressing,” costar Thomas Lennon told PEOPLE ahead of the film’s release. “The kid is already gorgeous — can’t he suck at something?”
Tokyo, Japan
Junko Kimura/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
At long last, Zac Efron’s whirlwind 17 Again press tour wound down in Japan on May 14.
Universal City, California
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Zac Efron in 2009 premiering ’17 Again’
But the film stayed with him long after! At the 2009 Teen Choice Awards in August of that year, Zac Efron took home the choice movie actor award for 17 Again.
“This is very special for me guys, this is a huge honor,” he said in his speech, before adding to the crowd, “Don’t be afraid: seize the moment.”
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