‘The Nightingale’ Star Elle and Dakota Fanning Turn the Academy Museum Gala Into a Sisters’ Night Out
Few sibling duos in Hollywood have grown up as publicly as Elle and Dakota Fanning. Elle made her film debut at just 3 years old, playing the younger version of Dakota’s character in ‘I Am Sam’, and the sisters later voiced siblings Mei and Satsuki in the English dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘My Neighbor Totoro’.
Their bond has only deepened over the years. The pair even run a production company together, Lewellen Pictures, and have publicly called each other their favorite people in heartfelt birthday tributes.
This year has been especially big for the family. Elle earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for playing Rachel Kemp in Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’, and she celebrated with Dakota the night before the nominations were announced.
The sisters are also finally teaming up on screen. Their long-awaited adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel ‘The Nightingale’, first announced in 2019, follows 2 sisters surviving the German occupation of France during World War II, with Elle playing Isabelle and Dakota playing Vianne.
Dakota and Elle Fanning have a night out at the #AcademyMuseumGala https://t.co/u0YMJSWqkN
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 18, 2026
On October 17, the Fannings arrived together at the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Reporter shared a clip of the pair posing on the carpet, while The Zoe Report described the evening as a sisters’ night out.
Elle wore custom Valentino with Cartier jewelry. Her whimsical gown featured a sparkling butterfly-shaped bodice and a flowing, multicolored pastel skirt and cape in soft shades of blush and blue.
Dakota took a more understated approach in a sheer black lace dress. She finished the look with a bold gold statement necklace and loose blonde waves, creating a striking contrast to her sister’s ethereal ensemble. The contrast wasn’t accidental. Elle has described her own style as classic with a twist, and her older sister’s as a little more laid-back.
Dakota Fanning, Taylor Swift, and Elle Fanning at the Academy Museum Gala. https://t.co/ssBvOUKlQa
— Cine Focus 🎥 (@CineFocu) October 18, 2026
Fans loved seeing them together. Commenters praised Elle’s butterfly bodice and layered blush skirt, while others admired how the sisters’ distinctive styles complemented each other, with one noting how lovely it must be to have a sister to attend events with.
Their gala looks also continued a stylish tradition. At last year’s event, Elle wore a gown with a red feathered skirt, and Dakota chose a white gown with black flowers, while at the 2026 Golden Globes Elle wore custom light blue Gucci and Dakota wore a draped Vivienne Westwood gown.
The sisters also shared a moment with one of the night’s biggest stars. Variety captured Taylor Swift chatting with Dakota and Elle during the gala, where Swift was set to perform. The event raises funds for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and honored Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and John Carpenter this year. The Fannings joined a guest list that included Kate Hudson, Eva Longoria and Emily Ratajkowski.
Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning attend the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala. 📸 (Amy Sussman/Getty) https://t.co/e76i9FH37B
— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) October 18, 2026
Elle’s schedule is packed. She appears in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’, set for release on November 20, and stars in the series ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’, following her lead role in ‘Predator: Badlands’.
Meanwhile, ‘The Nightingale’ is expected to arrive in February 2027, giving fans a chance to see the real-life sisters play siblings on screen. Elle told E! on the Golden Globes carpet that, after years of development, the project was finally happening.
Their joint gala appearance felt like a sweet preview of that long-awaited collaboration. Whether in pastel butterflies or black lace, the Fannings proved once again that they’re one of Hollywood’s most beloved sister acts.
Which Fanning sister had the best look at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala?
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