Sarah's Oil
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- Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh
- Cyrus Nowrasteh
- John Shepherd
- Cyrus Nowrasteh
- Kevin Downes
- Daryl Lefever
- Erwin brothers
- Zachary Levi
- Derrick Williams
- Naya Desir-Johnson
- Zachary Levi
- Sonequa Martin-Green
- Garret Dillahunt
| Sarah's Oil | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Cyrus Nowrasteh |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Johnny Derango |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Kathryn Bostic |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Amazon MGM Studios |
Release date |
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Running time | 104 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| 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.
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.
The narrative follows Sarah, a descendant of the Creek Freedmen, who is granted 160 acres of land in Oklahoma through a federal allotment program. Considered worthless and unfit for farming, the land was expected to yield nothing. Guided by a deep personal conviction and her faith, Sarah insists there is oil beneath the surface. After her family leases the land, an oil gusher produces over 2,000 barrels a day, making her incredibly wealthy overnight. This attracts greedy oil sharks, corrupt officials, and white guardians who attempt to swindle her and control her fortune. Sarah fights back by empowering herself with education, she begins reading contracts and doing her own math to protect her rights. She eventually moves to Kansas City to escape the dangers of the Jim Crow South and manages her wealth as a successful businesswoman.
Cast
- Naya Desir-Johnson as Sarah Rector
- Tamala Jones voices the older Sarah
- Zachary Levi as Bert Smith
- Sonequa Martin-Green as Rose Rector
- Garret Dillahunt as Devnan
- Kenric Green as Joe Rector
- Mel Rodriguez as Mace
- Ryan O'Quinn as Eddie Caron
- Adyan Copes as Junior
- Bridget Regan as Kate Barnard
- 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.[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]
