9 Pics Of Dakota And Elle Fanning That Prove Their Sisterly Bond Is Unbreakable

Many celebrities have equally gorgeous sisters, and that is certainly true for Dakota and Elle Fanning. Dakota, born in 1994, and Elle, born in 1998, have one of those rare combinations of similar success in Hollywood and a close friendship, too, even as they age. In fact, in both red-carpet photos and candid shots over the years, you can see how unbreakable their sisterly bond really is.

In a September 16, 2025, interview with Vanity Fair, Dakota claimed the sisters have "zero" competitiveness between them, adding that they are "very different." "So I don't even see something that's right for her as being right for me," she told the outlet. Elsewhere in the interview, Elle gushed about her relationship with her older sister and how they "talk about everything." The younger Fanning said, "She knows all my secrets and I know all of hers. I relish the fact that I can protect her because she needs protection too."

These child stars turned gorgeous women aren't shy about hyping each other up on Instagram, with both often sharing pictures with heartfelt captions. On an April 9 2024, Instagram post, for example, Dakota shared, "The best thing that has ever happened to me is being given Elle as my sister. ... With every passing year, my gratitude for her deepens, even when it feels like that couldn't be possible. She is magic, and I'm so lucky that she is mine." From looking at photos, it's clear these two have always been each other's biggest fans, and it's so sweet to see.

Sisters who dress up for Halloween together stay together. Just look at this cute snap of Elle and Dakota Fanning at a Dream Halloween Los Angeles benefit for The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation on October 26, 2002. The sisters look similar, with Dakota in a blond wig and a cute Alice in Wonderland costume, and Elle in a pink-and-white Bo Peep costume, complete with a teal-blue staff. They wrap their arms around each other for the red carpet photo, totally melting our hearts!

When Dakota and Elle Fanning are together, you can bet they are going to have a good time. It's never been more obvious than at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 15, 2026. In this photo, Elle and Dakota pose with one arm around each other, looking glamorous in black ball gowns. The sisters were caught on camera mid-laugh, sharing a private joke. This definitely hints at their close friendship.

In a picture posted on Instagram on March 2, 2025, Elle and Dakota Fanning were acting silly together before the Oscars. Dakota looked positively regal in a light blue gown with a matching puffer coat, complete with fur-lined edges and flower details. She got up close and personal to her younger sister, who was dressed in a dark-blue sequined dress with a matching cape and black tights. Elle held her sister off with one hand for the cheeky photo. "It's giving high key Frozen vibes," one user commented on the cute picture.

Nobody loves Dakota Fanning more than her little sister, Elle Fanning. Elle was the most supportive sister at the premiere of Dakota's "Uptown Girls" on August 2003. The sisters looked so cute with matching blond bobs, Dakota in a white dress and ballet flats, and Elle in an orange dress with tiny heels. They hugged on the red carpet and smiled for photos, showcasing their nearly identical, full-teeth-showing grins. They are just too precious.

Elle Fanning dances with her sister, Dakota Fanning, in this candid shot posted on Instagram on February 23, 2022. Dakota gets down low in a red dress, while Elle dances behind her in a black dress with fishnet tights. In the caption, Elle praised her sister on her 28^th birthday, writing in part, "Essentially Dakota is the perfect person and she is ALL MINE!!!!! You'll never see bluer eyes or bluer veins. I love you."

How adorable are these little girls? Elle Fanning shared a childhood photo of her and her sister, Dakota Fanning, on Instagram on February 23, 2022. Despite their age difference, these two look like twins with the same blue eyes, blond hair, and sweet smiles. Dakota leans in to hug her sister while wearing a pink fuzzy headband, while Elle smiles in Minnie Mouse ears. Together, they are reading a Disney princess book, looking like best friends from a young age.

Once again, Elle and Dakota Fanning can't stop laughing around each other. In this photo, on February 10, 2016, the sisters attended the Saint Laurent show at The Hollywood Palladium. Elle looks gorgeous in a colorful, patterned dress, standing next to Dakota, in a black gown. Elle has her elbow on her sister's back, bringing her hand close to her mouth to laugh, and Dakota leans forward, laughing as well with her whole face. It's pure joy just looking at this photo!

Elle and Dakota Fanning always seem to have the most fun together. In a photo posted on Instagram on December 31, 2018, the sisters both wore black dresses — Dakota in a strapless gown with silver sparkly heels and Elle in a puff-sleeve dress with black heels — as they celebrated New Year's Eve together. In the cheeky photo, Dakota drinks white wine while Elle poses with her tongue out and a "hang loose" hand motion. "2019 here we comeeeeeeeee," she captioned the cute photo.

Is there any love like a sister's love? Dakota Fanning was on peak older-sister mode when she rocked her sister, Elle Fanning, to sleep in a childhood photo. In this picture, posted on Instagram on March 8, 2018, Dakota looked super sweet holding her sister in her arms and looking down at her while Elle sweetly slept in her big sister's lap. Elle posted the picture on International Women's Day, writing at the time, "Thank you Cody for teaching me what a strong woman should be."