Dakota and Elle Fanning are two silver screen marvels, with such convincing performances, many could argue they are the x-factor in the movies they star in.

They are also on-screen sweethearts, with their cherub-like appearances & immaculate performances keeping them audience favorites.

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Initially Dakota was all the rage, but sister Elle quickly rose up the ranks & has earned a big name for herself– leaving the sisters untouchable in terms of star quality and screen value. Here are 10 things we just found out about their interesting childhood.

10 They Were Not Close

With a mutual love of acting, and similar blond hair tresses, one would expect Elle and Dakota Fanning were super close growing up. However, this wasn't (always) the case.

With an age gap of four years, there was sometimes a distance between the two girls. That said, this seemed to diminish as they grew older, as the gap between four years and eight years of age seems substantially greater than a gap of say, 24 and 20 years.

9 On Screen Together

While fans might believe the sisters have never starred in the same movie, this isn't true. Elle and Dakota were involved in the English dub of My Neighbour Totoro, in which the girls took on two main roles, starring alongside each other as voice actresses. These were the roles of Mei Kusakabe, and Satsuki. The girls were 11 (Dakota) and seven (Elle) years of age at the time.

8 They Grew Up In Luxury

Both girls were really successful as young actresses, meaning the family had a substantial income from when they were a young age. For this reason, the Fanning family enjoyed an impressive home, in Studio City. The house is said to be worth millions and even has chandeliers in almost every room.

7 Like Big Sister, Like Little Sister

One two occasions, Elle played a younger version of her big sister. In I Am Sam and Taken, the blond-haired, blue-eyed girls' similarity in appearance meant that they could star as the same character– Elle as the younger version of her sister's leading character. Perhaps this drove the girls up the wall, but it was definitely an answer for scriptwriters who had a two-in-one deal with the Fanning sisters.

6 Born To Be Stars

Anyone who has watched the Fanning sisters perform will be in no doubt as to the star quality of their performances. Their acting is both credible and compelling, and their presence on set, unforgettable. The girls are no strangers to earning awards for their acting skills. In fact, Dakota Fanning was nominated for her first acting award when she was just seven. This was for her performance in I Am Sam.

5 Gifts Galore

Growing up rich and famous meant the girls intermingled with Tinsel Town's elite from when they were still small. This also means that, to this day, they have friends who are among Hollywood's elite.

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What's more, they have often received elaborate gifts from these same friends. Kurt Russell bought Dakota a horse after starring alongside her in Dreamer, and Tom Cruise still buys her shoes for her birthday each year (as he has since she was just a child).

4 Shared Fears

It's quite understandable and predictable that kids will be afraid of something growing up. Interestingly, it would seem the Fanning sisters grew up sharing the same fear: a fear of lightning.

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This fear, called Astraphobia, was very real to them during thunderstorms. Thankfully, it would seem they have overgrown this fear, having entered their adult years.

3 Missed Events

With a heavy schedule filled with rehearsals, castings, and filming, the Fanning sisters often had to forgo milestone events which 'ordinary' kids are a part of.

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To give an example, Elle didn't quite make it to her prom. However, she ironically did get to go to an onscreen prom in the Neon Demon. Still, not quite the same as the cherished milestone occasion that most little girls dream of and plan for throughout their school days.

2 Beautiful & Bright

It probably comes as no surprise that Dakota and Elle Fanning are incredibly clever. Both girls learned to read at an early age, with Dakota reading at age two! They were also spurred to join ballet and community theater classes from a young age, something which definitely equipped them for the lead roles they would later play.

1 Across The Country

Dakota's success in acting was both unexpected and so prolific that at just five years of age, her parents were convinced they needed to make a move closer to the big names in the film industry, in order to follow up on their daughter's screen success. They moved all the way from Georgia to Los Angeles to allow the small child to make her big break into acting.

NEXT: Dakota Johnson: What Has She Been Up To Since The Fifty Shades Trilogy Ended?