Elle Fanning

Mary Elle Fanning (born April 9, 1998) is an American actress. She made her film debut as the younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning's character in the drama film I Am Sam (2001). As a child actress, she appeared in several films, including Babel (2006), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Phoebe in Wonderland (both 2008). In 2010 she starred in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere (2010) earning her a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer nomination. In 2011 she received attention for her starring role in J. J. Abrams' science-fiction film Super 8, earning a Spotlight Award at the Hollywood Film Festival. She subsequently had leading roles in the comedy-drama film We Bought a Zoo (2011), the drama film Ginger & Rosa (2012), and as Princess Aurora in the fantasy films Maleficent (2014) and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). Following Maleficent, Fanning began working in independent cinema, collaborating with auteurs in lead and supporting roles in films such as Nicolas Winding Refn's The Neon Demon (2016), Mike Mills' 20th Century Women (2016), Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled (2017), John Cameron Mitchell's How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017), Woody Allen's A Rainy Day in New York (2019), and Sally Potter's The Roads Not Taken (2020). In 2019, aged 21, she became the youngest person to serve as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival. She plays Empress Catherine II in the Hulu series The Great (2020–present), for which she received a Primetime Emmy ...

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The Door in the Floor (2004)

Slow movingBrainyDramaticInsightful

Set in the privileged beach community of East Hampton, New York and chronicles one pivotal summer in the lives of famous children's book author Ted Cole and his wife Marion. Their once-great marriage has been strained by tragedy. Her resulting despondency and his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tod Williams
CAST:  Jeff Bridges  •  Kim Basinger  •  Elle Fanning  •  Jon Foster

Set in the privileged beach community of East Hampton, New York and chronicles one pivotal summer in the lives of famous children's book author Ted Cole and his wife Marion. Their once-great marriage has been strained by tragedy. Her resulting despondency and his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tod Williams
CAST:  Jeff Bridges  •  Kim Basinger  •  Elle Fanning  •  Jon Foster

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

EmotionalRomanticFantasticalTear-jerker

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Fincher
CAST:  Cate Blanchett  •  Brad Pitt  •  Tilda Swinton  •  Elle Fanning

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Fincher
CAST:  Cate Blanchett  •  Brad Pitt  •  Tilda Swinton  •  Elle Fanning

Babel (2006)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalThought provoking

In Babel, a tragic incident involving an American couple in Morocco sparks a chain of events for four families in different countries throughout the world. In the struggle to overcome isolation, fear, and displacement, each character discovers that it is family ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alejandro González Iñárritu
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  Cate Blanchett  •  Gael García Bernal  •  Rinko Kikuchi

In Babel, a tragic incident involving an American couple in Morocco sparks a chain of events for four families in different countries throughout the world. In the struggle to overcome isolation, fear, and displacement, each character discovers that it is family ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alejandro González Iñárritu
CAST:  Brad Pitt  •  Cate Blanchett  •  Gael García Bernal  •  Rinko Kikuchi

Daddy Day Care (2003)

Two men get laid off and have to become stay-at-home dads when they can't find jobs, which inspires them to open their own day-care center.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Carr
CAST:  Eddie Murphy  •  Jeff Garlin  •  Steve Zahn  •  Regina King

Two men get laid off and have to become stay-at-home dads when they can't find jobs, which inspires them to open their own day-care center.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Carr
CAST:  Eddie Murphy  •  Jeff Garlin  •  Steve Zahn  •  Regina King

Déjà Vu (2006)

Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Paula Patton  •  Val Kilmer  •  Jim Caviezel

Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Paula Patton  •  Val Kilmer  •  Jim Caviezel

I Am Sam (2001)

UpliftingThought provokingEmotionalTear-jerker

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

The Boxtrolls (2014)

GoofyOriginalFunInsightful

An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Graham Annable  •  Anthony Stacchi
CAST:  Isaac Hempstead-Wright  •  Ben Kingsley  •  Elle Fanning  •  Simon Pegg

An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Graham Annable  •  Anthony Stacchi
CAST:  Isaac Hempstead-Wright  •  Ben Kingsley  •  Elle Fanning  •  Simon Pegg

Low Down (2014)

The daughter of jazz pianist Joe Albany witnesses her beloved father's struggle -- and failure -- to kick his heroin habit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Preiss
CAST:  John Hawkes  •  Elle Fanning  •  Glenn Close  •  Peter Dinklage

The daughter of jazz pianist Joe Albany witnesses her beloved father's struggle -- and failure -- to kick his heroin habit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Preiss
CAST:  John Hawkes  •  Elle Fanning  •  Glenn Close  •  Peter Dinklage

Young Ones (2014)

OriginalBeautifulFuturistic

In a future where water is scarce, a farmer defends his land and hopes to rejuvenate his parched soil. However, his daughter's boyfriend schemes to steal the land for himself.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jake Paltrow
CAST:  Nicholas Hoult  •  Elle Fanning  •  Michael Shannon  •  Kodi Smit-McPhee

In a future where water is scarce, a farmer defends his land and hopes to rejuvenate his parched soil. However, his daughter's boyfriend schemes to steal the land for himself.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jake Paltrow
CAST:  Nicholas Hoult  •  Elle Fanning  •  Michael Shannon  •  Kodi Smit-McPhee

Likeness (2013)

For Mia, beauty is everything. A trophy, a promise, a ball and chain, a wish upon a star. A life sentence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rodrigo Prieto
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Ximena Prieto  •  Chelsea Schuchman  •  Monroe Alvarez

For Mia, beauty is everything. A trophy, a promise, a ball and chain, a wish upon a star. A life sentence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rodrigo Prieto
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Ximena Prieto  •  Chelsea Schuchman  •  Monroe Alvarez

Live by Night (2016)

SuspensefulViolentEmotionalThought provoking

A group of Boston-bred gangsters set up shop in balmy Florida during the Prohibition era, facing off against the competition and the Ku Klux Klan.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ben Affleck
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Elle Fanning  •  Sienna Miller

A group of Boston-bred gangsters set up shop in balmy Florida during the Prohibition era, facing off against the competition and the Ku Klux Klan.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ben Affleck
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Elle Fanning  •  Sienna Miller

Ginger & Rosa (2012)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

A look at the lives of two teenage girls - inseparable friends Ginger and Rosa -- growing up in 1960s London as the Cuban Missile Crisis looms, and the pivotal event the comes to redefine their relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sally Potter
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Alice Englert  •  Christina Hendricks  •  Alessandro Nivola

A look at the lives of two teenage girls - inseparable friends Ginger and Rosa -- growing up in 1960s London as the Cuban Missile Crisis looms, and the pivotal event the comes to redefine their relationship.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sally Potter
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Alice Englert  •  Christina Hendricks  •  Alessandro Nivola

Maleficent (2014)

FantasticalOriginalPowerfulBeautiful

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Stromberg
CAST:  Angelina Jolie  •  Elle Fanning  •  Juno Temple  •  Sharlto Copley

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Stromberg
CAST:  Angelina Jolie  •  Elle Fanning  •  Juno Temple  •  Sharlto Copley

How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017)

In 1970s London, a teenage outsider named Enn falls in love with a rebellious alien girl named Zan, who has come to Earth for a party. Together, they navigate the complexities of intergalactic culture and the trials of first love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cameron Mitchell
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Nicole Kidman  •  Ruth Wilson  •  Matt Lucas

In 1970s London, a teenage outsider named Enn falls in love with a rebellious alien girl named Zan, who has come to Earth for a party. Together, they navigate the complexities of intergalactic culture and the trials of first love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cameron Mitchell
CAST:  Elle Fanning  •  Nicole Kidman  •  Ruth Wilson  •  Matt Lucas

P.N.O.K. (2005)

Chronicles a day in the life of 2 soldiers on Casualty Notification Duty as they bear the grim news of 3 soldiers killed in Iraq to 3 families back home.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carolyn McDonald
CAST:  Archie Drury  •  Elle Fanning  •  Danny Glover  •  Irma P. Hall

Chronicles a day in the life of 2 soldiers on Casualty Notification Duty as they bear the grim news of 3 soldiers killed in Iraq to 3 families back home.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carolyn McDonald
CAST:  Archie Drury  •  Elle Fanning  •  Danny Glover  •  Irma P. Hall

The Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2010)

Set in 1920s Vienna, this is the tale of a little girl, whose godfather gives her a special doll one Christmas Eve.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Nathan Lane  •  John Turturro  •  Frances de la Tour  •  Elle Fanning

Set in 1920s Vienna, this is the tale of a little girl, whose godfather gives her a special doll one Christmas Eve.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Nathan Lane  •  John Turturro  •  Frances de la Tour  •  Elle Fanning

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

CharmingEnjoyableUpliftingFun

Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Cameron Crowe
CAST:  Matt Damon  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Thomas Haden Church  •  Colin Ford

Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Cameron Crowe
CAST:  Matt Damon  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Thomas Haden Church  •  Colin Ford

Twixt (2011)

A declining writer arrives in a small town where he gets caught up in a murder mystery involving a young girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Ford Coppola
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Bruce Dern  •  Ben Chaplin  •  Elle Fanning

A declining writer arrives in a small town where he gets caught up in a murder mystery involving a young girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Ford Coppola
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Bruce Dern  •  Ben Chaplin  •  Elle Fanning

Super 8 (2011)

AdventurousThrillingCuteDark

In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters are making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky to escape with their lives. They soon discover that the catastrophe was no accident, as a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  J.J. Abrams
CAST:  Kyle Chandler  •  Elle Fanning  •  Noah Emmerich  •  AJ Michalka

In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters are making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky to escape with their lives. They soon discover that the catastrophe was no accident, as a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  J.J. Abrams
CAST:  Kyle Chandler  •  Elle Fanning  •  Noah Emmerich  •  AJ Michalka

Somewhere (2010)

Slow movingCharmingCuteInsightful

After withdrawing to the Chateau Marmont, a passionless Hollywood actor reexamines his life when his eleven-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sofia Coppola
CAST:  Stephen Dorff  •  Chris Pontius  •  Erin Wasson  •  Alexandra Williams

After withdrawing to the Chateau Marmont, a passionless Hollywood actor reexamines his life when his eleven-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sofia Coppola
CAST:  Stephen Dorff  •  Chris Pontius  •  Erin Wasson  •  Alexandra Williams
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