On March 24, 2015, it was announced that Smoke House Pictures' partners George Clooney and Grant Heslov would be producing a thriller Nocturnal Animals , based on the Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan. Tom Ford was set to direct the film based on his own script. On the next day, Jake Gyllenhaal was set to star for the lead role Tony, while Amy Adams was in talks for the female lead role Susan, and sources confirmed that Joaquin Phoenix and
Aaron Taylor-Johnson were also being eyed for different roles. Focus Features acquired the US distribution rights to the film on May 17, 2015, while Universal Pictures would handle the international distribution. Focus' deal was made with $20 million, making this a biggest deal of 2015 Cannes Film Festival and one of the biggest in the last few years. On August 6, 2015, Taylor-Johnson was confirmed for the role of a mysterious person who poses a threat to Gyllenhaal's character's family, along with
Michael Shannon also added to the cast to play a detective investigating the violent incident. On August 28, 2015, Armie Hammer also joined the cast of the film to play Walker Morrow, Adam's character's husband. On September 9, 2015, Isla Fisher joined the film to play Laura Hastings, Tony's wife. On September 18, 2015, Ellie Bamber was cast in the film to play Tony's daughter. On September 30, 2015, Robert Aramayo was added to the cast. On October 5, 2015, Karl Glusman signed on to star in the film. On October 8, 2015, Peter Nyong'o was also cast in the film.

Principal photography on the film began on October 5, 2015 in Los Angeles , California. It wrapped up on December 5, 2015.