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Sarah's Oil

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Sarah's Oil
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCyrus Nowrasteh
Written by
  • Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh
  • Cyrus Nowrasteh
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohnny Derango
Edited by
  • Paul Seydor
  • Sean Albertson
Music byKathryn Bostic
Production
companies
Distributed byMetro-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$11 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.

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

Plot

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Cast

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Production

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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

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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

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Box office

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

Critical response

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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

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  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 November 25, 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. ^ a b 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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