Elle Fanning Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography

Elle Fanning has been working in front of cameras since she was three years old, appearing as the younger version of her sister Dakota’s character in I Am Sam (2001). Nearly three decades later, she’s still going strong — starring in prestige TV, blockbuster franchises, and upcoming projects that span 2026 and beyond. Whether you came here looking for her early child roles, her Maleficent breakthrough, or what’s coming up next, this guide walks through her full filmography in order.

Debut Film: I Am Sam (2001) · Breakthrough Role: Maleficent (2014) · Recent TV Series: Margo’s Got Money Troubles (2026) · Upcoming Film: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) · Voice Role: The Boxtrolls (2014)

This overview table maps her key milestones across film, television, and voice work.

What is Elle Fanning best known for?

Ask most viewers and the answer comes back fast: the Maleficent films. Elle Fanning played Princess Aurora in Disney’s live-action retelling, first in Maleficent (2014) and again in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), earning global recognition alongside Angelina Jolie. That role capped a remarkable transition — from a child actress with dozens of credits to a leading woman commanding a major studio franchise.

Early breakthrough roles

Before Maleficent, Fanning had already built an impressive resume. Her turn as young Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) reunited her with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, while her title role as Phoebe Lichten in Phoebe in Wonderland (2009) showed her range in independent drama. The Rotten Tomatoes profile notes she was a “prolific child actress in hard-hitting shows like CSI and Law & Order” — guest spots that built credibility across genres.

Major films like Maleficent

The Maleficent franchise remains her highest-profile work. She plays Aurora opposite Angelina Jolie’s title character across two films, with the first earning over $750 million worldwide. Critics highlighted her ability to make the classic fairy tale character feel fresh while still honoring the source material.

TV appearances

Her TV career took off with The Great (2020–2023), where she played Catherine the Great for three seasons on Hulu. The satirical series earned her critical praise and an Emmy nomination, marking a successful leap from film to serialized storytelling.

What are Elle Fanning movies and TV shows as a kid?

Elle Fanning’s early career reads like a master class in child acting. She started at age 3 and by 12 had accumulated credits in award-winning films, prestige TV, and even animated features. Her first independent role was Jamie in Daddy Day Care (2002) at age 4, one of several supporting turns that established her before she began leading.

Debut films

The Wikipedia entry confirms her debut came as the younger version of Dakota’s character Lucy in I Am Sam (2001). She was literally playing her sister’s younger self — a pattern that would repeat in the Taken miniseries. By 2002, she had her first standalone credit in Daddy Day Care, followed by roles in The Door in the Floor (2004) alongside Jeff Bridges.

Child roles highlights

2006 proved especially busy: she played Debbie Jones in Babel (2006), appeared as Anna Miller in The Lost Room miniseries, and logged guest spots on CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and Law & Order: SVU. AlloCiné records also show TV appearances in House (Season 2, 2005) and Because of Winn-Dixie (2005). By 2008, she was cast as young Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — a role that put her in the same frame as Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

What is Elle Fanning first movie?

Her first movie was I Am Sam (2001), a child custody drama starring Sean Penn and Dakota Fanning. Elle appeared as the younger version of Dakota’s character Lucy — her first on-screen connection to her sister. She was just 3 years old, and the role marked the beginning of both her career and a professional relationship that would eventually bring them together as adult co-stars.

Role details

In I Am Sam, Fanning played the child version of Lucy Fanning, the daughter of mentally disabled father Sam (Sean Penn). The film received critical acclaim, and both Fanning sisters earned attention for their performances. Wikipedia confirms this was her debut appearance, with AlloCiné noting she returned to play younger versions of Dakota’s characters in other projects before taking on independent roles.

Career start impact

That debut opened doors. By playing younger versions of her sister’s roles, Elle built on-screen chemistry with Dakota before either had formal representation. By the time she was ready for independent roles, she already had two years of set experience — an advantage that showed in her poise in later films like Phoebe in Wonderland (2008).

What are Dakota Fanning movies and TV shows?

Dakota Fanning is Elle’s older sister, and their careers ran in parallel for years before they finally co-star as leads. Dakota, born in 1994, broke through first with roles in Sweet Home Alabama (2002) and Man on Fire (2004), becoming one of the first child actors to cross into mainstream teen stardom.

Shared family projects

The sisters first appeared together as children, but their upcoming project marks a new chapter. The Cinemaholic reports they will both produce and star in The Nightingale (Feb 12, 2027), a WWII drama about sisters. This will be their first time sharing a lead credit as adults — a milestone that acknowledges their separate but intertwined careers.

Individual highlights

Dakota’s filmography includes The Alienist (2018–2020), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and The Girl From Plainville (2022). While Elle moved into fantasy franchises, Dakota focused on gritty dramas and thrillers. Their upcoming collaboration suggests both are ready to blend their styles in a prestige period piece.

What are Elle Fanning movies and TV shows 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. Elle Fanning has multiple projects in production and post-production, including her highest-profile franchise role since Maleficent: Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for November 20, 2026.

Upcoming releases

Two 2025 films will hit theaters before the Hunger Games premiere: Predator: Badlands (Nov 7, 2025) and Sentimental Value (Nov 7, 2025), both currently in post-production. The Cinemaholic notes her role as Thia/Tessa in Predator, marking her entry into the sci-fi franchise space.

Post-production roles

On the TV side, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is set to premiere on Apple TV+ in 2025/2026, with Fanning starring as Margo Millet and serving as producer. AlloCiné also lists The Maid of Orleans (2026) and I Am Sybil (2026) as upcoming projects, though these lack tier-1 source confirmation. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025) lists her as Tomorrow, though game release timing remains uncertain.

Career Timeline

Five key eras define Elle Fanning’s filmography, each marked by a different kind of role.

This chronological table traces her evolution from extra to franchise star.

The pattern shows her deliberately scaling up from supporting child roles to anchoring major studio productions.

Confirmed Facts vs. Rumors

The distinction matters for readers tracking her actual career trajectory versus aspirational announcements.

Expert Perspectives

“I’m trying to stay more present. I think I’m a big dreamer, which is good, but then I can kind of think into the future too much and spiral, so I need to, like, live in the moment.”

— Elle Fanning, actress (Times of India interview)

“Prolific child actress in hard-hitting shows like CSI and Law & Order.”

— Rotten Tomatoes career overview (Rotten Tomatoes profile)

The pattern across her career is clear: Elle Fanning started as a child actor in serious dramatic material and transitioned into leading adult roles across franchises, prestige TV, and independent film. Her approach to 2026 reflects that range — franchise spectacle with The Hunger Games, genre entry with Predator, and auteur-driven work with Sentimental Value.

Summary

Elle Fanning has built a career that spans child roles alongside her sister to adult leading parts in major franchises. For fans tracking her filmography, 2025 and 2026 offer multiple entry points — from her Apple TV+ producer credit on Margo’s Got Money Troubles to her Hunger Games prequel role as Effie Trinket. The bigger picture is a 25-year arc from extra to star, with the next chapter including her first adult collaboration with Dakota in The Nightingale (2027).

Related reading: Holliday Grainger Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography · Jennifer Coolidge Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Elle debuted alongside sister Dakota in I Am Sam, building toward highlights like Hunger Games through coverage from I Am Sam to 2026 that mirrors her full career arc.

Frequently asked questions