Sarah's Oil is a 2025 American biographical drama film about Sarah Rector, 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. It stars Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Garret Dillahunt.
Released theatrically by Amazon MGM Studios on November 7, 2025, Sarah's Oil received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $12 million at the box office on a $18 million production budget.
Contents
Cast
Zachary Levi as Bert Smith
Naya Desir-Johnson as Sarah Rector
Tamala Jones voices the older Sarah
Sonequa Martin-Green as Rose Rector, Sarah's mother
Garret Dillahunt as Devnan
Mel Rodriguez as Mace
Kenric Green as Joe Rector, Sarah's father
Bridget Regan as Kate Barnard
Ryan O'Quinn as Eddie Caron
Adyan Copes as Junior Rector, Sarah's younger brother
Stelio Savante as Earl
Marco Fuller as Jimsye
Jonathan Lipnicki as a chemist
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. 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.
The film was shot primarily in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
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.
Reception
Box office
It debuted at #4 at the box office for its opening weekend, grossing $4.5 million.
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.
