The World War II drama “The Nightingale,” starring Dakota and Elle Fanning in their first starring role together, will move a month later and will now take on “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” on March 19. The late date puts it in prime territory for college students on spring break in the run-up to Easter, especially for women, as the historical drama can serve as counterprogramming to “Sonic.”

Directed by Michael Morris (“To Leslie”), with a script by Dana Stevens, the adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s best-selling novel was previously scheduled for February 12. The date of Valentine’s weekend also coincides with the Super Bowl.

The Fannings, both nominated for Emmy Awards this week, star in “The Nightingale” as sisters during World War I “who dare to embark on separate and dangerous paths in the fight for survival, love and freedom in German-occupied and war-torn France,” according to the official synopsis.

Dakota Fanning was nominated for supporting actress in a limited or anthology series for “All Her Fault,” while Elle Fanning received an Emmy nomination for lead actress in a comedy series for “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”

“The Nightingale” co-stars include Douglas Hodge, Mark Rylance, Shira Haas, Gwilym Lee, Albrecht Schuch, Vinette Robinson and Edmund Donovan. Producers are Elizabeth Cantillon, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Brittany Kahane Ward, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. The book’s popularity has barely waned: 11 years after it was first published, it has already sold one million copies so far in 2026.

The film was originally going to be directed by Melanie Laurent, but was put on hold during the pandemic and later revived with Morris directing. Filming took place in Budapest.