She has appeared in various television series, including Gilmore Girls (2003–2004), A Bride for Christmas (2012), The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017), Life Unexpected (2010), 90210 (2011–2013), Ballers (2015–2016, 2019), Midnight Texas (2017–2018), and Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector (2019–2020).

Kebbel has also appeared in films such as American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005), John Tucker Must Die (2006), The Grudge 2 (2006), Forever Strong (2008), The Uninvited (2009), Think Like a Man (2012), Fifty Shades Freed (2018), After We Fell (2021), After Ever Happy (2022), and After Everything (2023).

Within the first week of moving to Los Angeles, California, Kebbel successfully auditioned for her first major role portraying Lindsay Lister on The CW's Gilmore Girls.

Kebbel played the role of Carrie Schaeffer in 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy film John Tucker Must Die (2006).

Kebbel signed on for another 20th Century Fox film titled Aquamarine (2006) starring Sara Paxton, Emma Roberts, and JoJo.

She portrayed Emily Owens in the sports drama film Forever Strong (2008) alongside Penn Badgley, Sean Faris, and Neal McDonough.

In February 2008, Kebbel was announced to star as the central character Katherine in the horror film Freakdog alongside Sarah Carter.

[citation needed] In March 2008, Paramount Pictures announced Kebbel was portraying the role of Alex Ivers in the American remake of the 2003 South Korean Horror film A Tale of Two Sisters.

The film, widely release in 2012, is the directorial debut for writer/director/star Ryan O'Nan, and features Michael Weston, Andrew McCarthy, and Jason Ritter.