Amazon MGM Studios’ Sarah’s Oil, releasing November 7, 2025, brings to the screen one of the most remarkable and little-known true stories from early 20th-century America. Inspired by the life of Sarah Rector, the film explores how a young African American girl, born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1902, defied the odds to become one of the nation’s first African American female millionaires, at just eleven years old.
The story begins with Sarah, played by newcomer Naya Desir-Johnson, facing the challenges of growing up in a world marked by racial segregation and poverty. She believes there is oil beneath the barren land she has been allotted, a conviction dismissed by many around her.
Against all expectations, Sarah is proven right, and the land yields oil, a discovery that changes her life forever. What follows is not simply a tale of sudden wealth, but a fight to hold onto it. As greedy oilmen and opportunists close in, Sarah leans on her family, friends, and a group of Texas wildcatters who help her navigate the treacherous new world she has entered.
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, Sarah’s Oil balances historical authenticity with emotional storytelling. The film also stars Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Mel Rodriguez, and Bridget Regan, alongside a strong supporting cast that adds depth to the world surrounding Sarah.
Producers John Shepherd, Kevin Downes, Daryl Lefever, and Andrew and Jon Erwin, along with executive producers Russell Wilson and Ciara, bring both scale and sensitivity to a story that feels timely even today.
Rated PG for thematic content, some violence, racial slurs, and brief mature references, the film does not shy away from the harsh realities Sarah faced, while still delivering an uplifting and inspiring narrative. Sarah’s Oil is not just about wealth; it is about resilience, courage, and determination in the face of exploitation and systemic prejudice.
By shining a light on Sarah Rector’s legacy, the film reminds audiences that history is full of hidden figures whose stories deserve to be told. In bringing her extraordinary journey to the screen, Sarah’s Oil ensures Sarah’s name will be remembered not just as a child millionaire, but as a symbol of strength, vision, and perseverance.
