Sarah's Oil

Last updated

Sarah's Oil
Sarah's Oil poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh
Written by
  • Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh
  • Cyrus Nowrasteh
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohnny Derango
Edited by
  • Paul Seydor
  • Sean Albertson
Music by Kathryn Bostic
Production
companies
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (through Amazon MGM Studios)
Release date
  • November 7, 2025 (2025-11-07)
Running time
104 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$18 million [2]
Box office$12 million [3]

Sarah's Oil is a 2025 American biographical drama film regarding Sarah Rector, being directed, co-produced, and co-written by Cyrus Nowrasteh. It is inspired by the 2014 book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America by Tonya Bolden. [4] It stars Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Garret Dillahunt.

Contents

Released theatrically by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer through Amazon MGM Studios on November 7, 2025, Sarah's Oil received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

Cast

Production

In July 2024, principal photography was underway in Oklahoma for Sarah's Oil, which was directed, co-produced, and co-written by Cyrus Nowrasteh with Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh. [5] In August, filming had wrapped, when Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan, Kenric Green, Adyan Copes, Stelio Savante, and Mel Rodriguez were revealed to have joined the cast. [6] [7]

The film was shot primarily in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. [8]

Release

Sarah's Oil was released in the United States on November 7, 2025 by Amazon MGM Studios, having been moved ahead from its original December 25, 2025 date. [6] [9]

Reception

Box office

It debuted at #4 at the box office for its opening weekend, grossing $4.5 million. [10]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 83% of 12 critics' reviews are positive.The website's consensus reads: "A heartfelt tribute to trailblazer Sarah Rector's extraordinary journey, Sarah's Oil celebrates courage and perseverance, offering a wealthy well of wholesomeness for the entire family." [11] [12] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.

References

  1. ↑ "Sarah's Oil[PG]". Australian Classification Board . October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ "After four films, this is why 'Sarah's Oil' producer keeps coming back to Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Sarah's Oil – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Sarah's Oil". Writers Guild of America West . October 23, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Jackson, Thomas (July 19, 2024). "From Freedman to Millionaire". MVSkoke Media. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (August 5, 2024). "Zachary Levi & Naya Desir-Johnson To Topline Amazon MGM Drama 'Sarah's Oil'; Sonequa Martin-Green And Garret Dillahunt Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  7. ↑ McDonnell, Brandy (October 24, 2024). "Amazon, Cherokee Film announce partnerships on Oklahoma-made movie, student scholarships". The Oklahoman . Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  8. ↑ "From Freedman to Millionaire". Mvskokemedia. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Theatrical Release Changes for the Week Ending May 18, 2025". The Numbers . Archived from the original on July 7, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ Domestic 2025 Weekend 45
  11. ↑ "Sarah's Oil". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Sarah's Oil". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
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