It was announced many years ago that The Nightingale movie adaptation, based on Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel, was in development, but there was no update after that!
However, that is no longer the case, as the author has officially announced that the movie adaptation is moving forward and will be released in theaters in February 2027! What’s more, two actors that fans really wanted to see in the movie have been cast!
For many, The Nightingale is more than a bestselling novel—it’s a deeply human portrayal of love, sacrifice, and resilience amid the horrors of war. Now, that beloved story, which is about two women in Nazi-occupied France, is finally being brought to life on the big screen.
Kristin Hannah has quietly become a powerhouse in the historical fiction genre. With a writing career spanning the early 1990s, she has authored dozens of bestselling novels, including Firefly Lane, The Great Alone, and her 2024 hit, The Women.
But The Nightingale, published in 2015, stands out as it has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide and been translated into 45 languages, a testament to its global resonance.
Hannah’s trajectory to screen adaptations is impressive. Firefly Lane already found new life as a Netflix series, and now The Nightingale is following suit on the cinematic path. On July 23, 2025, Kristin Hannah announced that TriStar Pictures had confirmed a theatrical release date for the adaptation, scheduled for February 12, 2027, signaling that this long-gestating project is finally taking flight.
If you loved reading the book and have been waiting for the movie all this time, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming adaptation!
What Will Be The Plot of The Nightingale Movie?
Like most book-to-screen adaptations, this one won’t deviate significantly from the source material, and you will see the story from the book translate well to the big screen. However, there may be some creative changes to better transition the story and make it fit into a feature-length film.
Set in France during World War II, The Nightingale follows two estranged sisters who respond to the German occupation in strikingly different ways.
Vianne is a schoolteacher and mother striving to protect her daughter while the Nazis occupy her home. Isabelle is a spirited young woman who joins the French Resistance, risking her life to guide Allied pilots to safety.
Their emotional journeys reveal contrasting facets of strength—Vianne’s quiet courage in sheltering a Jewish child and enduring intimate threats, alongside Isabelle’s bold bravery as she navigates escape routes over the Pyrenees. Both stories highlight how love, loyalty, and sacrifice define heroism in war.
Here’s the official synopsis of the book, which will give you an idea of what to expect from the upcoming movie adaptation!
In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France… but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne’s home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.
Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can… completely. But when he betrays her, Isabelle joins the Resistance and never looks back, risking her life time and again to save others.
With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war.
The Nightingale Movie Release Date:
It’s been confirmed that the movie will be released in theaters worldwide on February 12, 2027, so mark your calendars!
After years of development delays, including changes in directors and schedule shifts, TriStar’s announcement marks a firm launching point for this highly anticipated adaptation.
Who is the Cast & Crew of The Nightingale Film Adaptation?
The movie adaptation has hit the nail on the head with the casting for this film. Ever since the movie adaptation was announced, fans have been calling for two actors, who happen to be sisters in real life, to be cast in the movie, and that is precisely what happened!
Real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning will portray the two central characters, Vianne and Isabelle. Dakota Fanning will portray the role of Vianne Mauriac, while Elle Fanning will play the role of Isabelle Rossignol, the younger sister.
It’s their first time acting opposite each other on screen, and fans are already excited about this casting choice. No other cast members have been announced at this time.
As for the crew working behind the scenes to bring the book to life on the big screen, we have Michael Morris donning the director’s hat, with Dana Stevens penning the screenplay, and Elizabeth Cantillon, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, and the Fanning sisters producing.
This collaboration of focused writers, respected producers, and a beloved author ensures the film captures both the sweeping scope and intimate emotions of the novel.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
Absolutely, yes! Kristin Hannah’s novel immerses readers in quiet torment, layered moral complexities, and deeply felt emotional arcs that are hard to replicate visually.
The story unspools slowly, revealing heartbreak and hope in every scene.
Reading first allows you to form your own emotional connection and understand the intricacies that drive this deeply human story.
And once The Nightingale movie arrives, you’ll be primed to catch all the nuances, symbolism, and performances that bring the story fully to life. Trust me—reading it first will enrich your cinematic experience tenfold!
Upcoming Book Adaptations: