Dakota and Elle Fanning's 'The Nightingale' Moves to March, Setting Up a Sonic 4 Showdown
The WWII drama starring the Fanning sisters will now open on March 19, 2027, directly opposite Paramount's 'Sonic the Hedgehog 4.'
“who dare to embark on separate, dangerous paths in the fight for survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France,”
- Director
- Michael Morris
- Starring
- Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Mark Rylance
- Release
- 2027
- Genre
- Drama, History, War
- Where to Watch
- Theaters
Dakota and Elle Fanning’s WWII drama The Nightingale has shifted its release date to March 19, 2027, setting up a box office showdown with Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The move, confirmed by Sony Pictures, pushes the film back by over a month from its original February 12 slot.
Why was the release date moved?
The new date strategically targets the spring break period for college students and the lead-up to Easter weekend. According to reports, studio executives believe the late March corridor offers prime counter-programming against the family-friendly Sonic sequel, aiming to attract a female-centric audience. The Valentine’s weekend slot was also complicated by its proximity to the Super Bowl.
What is The Nightingale about?
Directed by Michael Morris, the film is an adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s bestselling 2015 novel. The official synopsis describes the story of two sisters in German-occupied France during World War II “who dare to embark on separate, dangerous paths in the fight for survival, love, and freedom.” Dakota and Elle Fanning star as the sisters Vianne and Isabelle, marking their first time headlining a film together.
The supporting cast includes Mark Rylance, Shira Haas, Douglas Hodge, and Gwilym Lee. The film is produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, the Fanning sisters, and others. The novel has sold over 11 million copies worldwide and spent 165 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
What else is happening with the Fanning sisters?
The date change news follows a major week for the actors, who both received Emmy nominations. Elle Fanning was nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, while Dakota Fanning earned a nod for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for All Her Fault.
The Nightingale has been in development for years, with TriStar winning the rights to the book in 2015. Filming has already been completed in Budapest. The film now joins a March 19, 2027, release calendar that will test the appeal of historical drama against a major animated franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is directing The Nightingale?
Michael Morris is directing the film. His previous credits include To Leslie and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Dana Stevens, who wrote The Woman King, penned the adaptation.
Is The Nightingale based on a book?
Yes, it is an adaptation of the 2015 historical fiction novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah. The book was a #1 New York Times bestseller and has sold millions of copies worldwide.
Have the Fanning sisters worked together before?
While this is their first starring movie role together, they previously played the same character at different ages in the 2001 film I Am Sam. Dakota Fanning has said they resisted earlier overtures to co-star until now.
What is the film's critical reception so far?
The film has not been released yet, so there are no reviews. However, the 2022 film of the same name, which is unrelated to this project, holds an 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes according to the site.
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