Elle Fanning has just set the standard for sisterly love in heaven. The ‘Sentimental Value’ actress celebrated her big sister Dakota Fanning’s birthday, while accomplishing big sister goals!
Celebrating Dakota Fanning’s birthday
On Dakota Fanning’s 32nd birthday on February 23, Elle hopped on Instagram and called her big sister “the most amazing person anyone could ever meet.”
It was one of those festive posts that makes people smile instantly.
Elle shared a sweet video, where it was just the two of them dancing and hugging each other in what looked like a birthday party, and the sisters looked really content and happy. “Our song. Your birthday. My sister,” Elle wrote, dropping some party emojis. She then added: “She is the most amazing person anyone could ever meet and I’m the lucky one to call her mine! Love you @dakotafanning.”Dakota didn’t back down either. She jumped in the comments, saying: “Love you more!!!!!” On her own page, Dakota posted an old child’s photo: her younger self in front of a birthday cake, wishing for something special. “I love you more than anything,” Elle slid into the comments.Seeing these photos, videos and comments, anyone can feel the love between them. In fact, this is not the first time they have announced this.
When Elle turned 27 in April last year, Dakota posted a photo in the hospital from the day Elle gave birth: “First photo together.”
The Fanning sisters are thriving in Hollywood
For the unversed, Dakota Fanning, born in 1994 in Georgia, became a child star in films like “I Am Sam,” and received major award nominations even before she was a teenager. She’s built a career that oscillates from blockbusters to indie films, earning respect and appreciation along the way.Meanwhile, Elle, who was born four years later, jumped into acting as a child as well, and is now one of Hollywood’s most interesting young stars.
She has played all kinds of roles: from sci-fi adventures like “Super 8” to emotional dramas.Dakota and Eli have been in each other’s corner since the beginning. Dakota, the older sister, broke into acting first. She started out in commercials and television before landing roles in films like “I Am Sam” and “Man on Fire.” Ellie wasn’t far behind. She actually played the younger version of the character Dakota in “I Am Sam,” and then forged her own path, appearing in everything from big-budget fantasy productions to indie dramas.
They both grew up under the Hollywood spotlight, and always talked about how much they relied on each other to stay grounded.This year, their birthday posts mean even more because they’re about to work together, really together, for the first time. The sisters are set to star in The Nightingale, a historical drama based on Kristin Hannah’s novel. At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, Elle joked that Dakota “promised not to boss me around” during filming. It’s the kind of excitement you’d expect from sisters — and actors who know each other inside out.As for Elle herself, she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Sentimental Value, capping off years of hard work and growth.
