As anticipation builds for Elle Fanning’s upcoming film, Predator: Badlands, set to release on November 7, 2025, fans are eager to revisit her previous work. This article highlights the six best Elle Fanning movies to watch before she stars as an android in Dan Trachtenberg’s latest project.
Elle Fanning’s Role in the Multi-Narrative Drama Babel (2006)
In the critically acclaimed drama Babel, Elle Fanning portrays Debbie, an innocent and vulnerable child caught in the ripple effects of a tragic incident in Morocco. The film, featuring Brad Pitt, explores interconnected stories across the globe, including Debbie’s journey with her nanny and brother as they navigate the US-Mexico border. Despite her young age of only eight, Fanning delivers a powerful performance that contrasts sharply with the movie’s heavy themes of miscommunication and tragedy, demonstrating how innocent individuals often bear the consequences of larger conflicts. This film remains available for streaming on Kanopy in the USA.
The Tender Childhood of Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Elle Fanning plays young Daisy in the romantic fantasy The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The story follows Benjamin Button, a man who ages backward, as he falls in love with Daisy during her childhood. Fanning’s portrayal of Daisy as a 7-year-old adds an element of pure innocence to the film’s exploration of time, love, and loss. The chemistry between Fanning and Pitt emphasizes the heartfelt innocence of their bond before the character transitions to Cate Blanchett at an older age. This film is also available to stream on Kanopy in the USA.
Finding Hope Through Youth in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
We Bought a Zoo showcases Elle Fanning as Lily Miska, a shy and kind-hearted teenager who works at a zoo recently purchased by a widowed father, played by Matt Damon. Lily’s gentle nature and her connection to the community bring warmth and optimism amid the family’s financial struggles and the challenges of running the zoo. This movie was a pivotal role for Fanning, highlighting her ability to portray nuanced characters in family dramas. Viewers in the USA can stream this film on Disney+.
Portraying Innocence as Princess Aurora in Maleficent (2014)
In the live-action adaptation of Maleficent, Elle Fanning takes on the iconic role of Princess Aurora, also known as Sleeping Beauty. Alongside Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent, Fanning masterfully embodies innocence and beauty, providing a heartfelt counterbalance to Jolie’s complex portrayal of the witch. The movie explores themes of maternal love and redemption, with the chemistry between Aurora and Maleficent serving as the emotional core of the story. Maleficent is available to stream on Disney+ in the USA.
Leading in the Dark Fantasy The Neon Demon (2016)
The Neon Demon presents Elle Fanning in her first lead role as Jesse, a 16-year-old model who arrives in Los Angeles following the mysterious death of her parents. The horror film examines themes of jealousy, beauty, and the dark side of the fashion industry. Fanning’s portrayal of Jesse’s transformation from a naive girl to a confident figure underlines her “it factor,” driving the intense narrative filled with obsession and danger. The movie is currently available on Prime Video in the USA.
Elle Fanning as Muse Sylvie Russo in A Complete Unknown (2024)
Set to debut in 2024, A Complete Unknown is a biographical drama about legendary musician Bob Dylan, directed by James Mangold. Elle Fanning plays Sylvie Russo, Dylan’s early girlfriend and muse, a role inspired by Suze Rotolo. Fanning’s character is portrayed as grounded and supportive, providing emotional depth during Dylan’s rise to fame. Their relationship illustrates fading hope and unrequited love, marking a complex and mature performance from Fanning. This film will be available on Hulu in the USA.
Elle Fanning’s Anticipated Role as an Android in Predator: Badlands
Looking ahead, Elle Fanning will take on a pivotal role in Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands, where she plays an android created by Weyland-Yutani Corp. This installment concludes Trachtenberg’s trilogy, and Fanning’s character is set to team up with a Predator to confront a larger threat. The film’s release on November 7, 2025, is highly anticipated, marking a new chapter in Fanning’s career as she adds a sci-fi action role to her diverse portfolio.
Elle Fanning’s varied filmography, from heartfelt dramas to dark fantasy and now sci-fi action, illustrates her range and adaptability as an actress, making her one to watch as she steps into the new challenge posed by Predator: Badlands.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Elle Fanning’s dress see through?
A. The material, which looked like glass, was see-through and extended into a tulle train. In May 2024, Fanning wore another sheer dress at the Cannes Film Festival.
Q. Did Elle Fanning have a baby?
A. It seems Elle Fanning had her baby while working on her new Apple TV+ show, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.” The 26-year-old actress is filming this series alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, who plays her mother.
Q. Is Elle Fanning still in appropriate?
A. Ella Beatty is set to portray the young, free-spirited character River in the play “Appropriate” when it moves to the Belasco Theatre next month. She is stepping into the role after Elle Fanning, who will leave the production when it finishes at Second Stage’s Hayes Theater on March 3.
Q. Does Elle Fanning have freckles?
A. I’m currently wearing them. Spending some time in the sun has brought out my natural freckles, and these really make them stand out.
