WWII drama “The Nightingale,” starring Dakota and Elle Fanning in their first starring movie role together, is moving a month later and will now face off against “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” on March 19. The later date puts it in prime territory for college students on spring break in the lead-up to Easter — especially women, since the historical drama can serve as counter-programming to “Sonic.”
Directed by Michael Morris (“To Leslie”), with a script by Dana Stevens, the adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel was previously dated for Feb. 12. The Valentine’s weekend date also coincides with the Super Bowl.
The Fannings, who were both nominated for Emmys this week, star in “The Nightingale” as sisters during WWI “who dare to embark on separate, dangerous paths in the fight for survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France,” according to the official synopsis.
Dakota Fanning was nominated for supporting actress in a limited or anthology series for “All Her Fault,” while Elle Fanning received an Emmy nomination for lead actress in a comedy series for “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”
“The Nightingale” co-stars include Douglas Hodge, Mark Rylance, Shira Haas, Gwilym Lee, Albrecht Schuch, Vinette Robinson and Edmund Donovan. Producers are Elizabeth Cantillon, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Brittany Kahane Ward, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. The book’s popularity has barely waned — 11 years after it was first published, it has already sold one million copies so far in 2026.
The film was originally set to be directed by Melanie Laurent, but was put on hold during the pandemic and later revived with Morris directing. Filming took place in Budapest.