| The Early Years (1996–2001) | |
| Type: | Compilation |
| Artist: | Skillet |
| Cover: | TheEarlyYears Skillet.jpg |
| Released: | July 27, 2010 |
| Recorded: | 1996–2001 |
| Genre: | Christian metal, grunge, post-grunge, hard rock |
| Length: | 54:09 |
| Label: | INO/Columbia |
| Prev Title: | Awake |
| Prev Year: | 2009 |
| Next Title: | iTunes Sessions |
| Next Year: | 2010 |
The Early Years (1996–2001) is the first compilation album by American Christian rock band Skillet, released on July 27, 2010. It includes songs from Skillet's first four studio albums: Skillet (1996), Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998), Invincible (2000), and Alien Youth (2001). Two music videos, "Best Kept Secret" and "Gasoline", are also included in the compilation.