If you’ve been scouring the internet trying to figure out what that new movie with sanaa lathan actually is, you aren't alone. It’s been a minute since we saw her dominating the screen in the way only she can. Honestly, the wait has been kinda agonizing for those of us who grew up on Love & Basketball and Brown Sugar.
Sanaa has this way of choosing projects that don't just feel like "content." They feel like moments. Her latest turn in The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (2024) is exactly that. It's a heavy-hitter, yet it feels like a warm hug from a lifelong friend. But let's be real: with the way streaming services bury things these days, it’s easy to let a gem like this slip through the cracks.
What is the New Movie With Sanaa Lathan Actually About?
Basically, The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat is based on the 2013 novel by Edward Kelsey Moore. If you haven't read it, don't worry—the movie does the heavy lifting. It follows three best friends—Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean (played by Lathan)—who have been inseparable for decades.
They call themselves "The Supremes."
The story isn't some fluffy "brunch and gossip" flick. It’s gritty. It covers two generations of friendship, marriage, loss, and the kind of secrets that usually stay buried in small-town soil. Sanaa plays Barbara Jean, a woman who has endured more than her fair share of heartbreak.
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Why Her Performance Hits Different
Sanaa Lathan has always been the queen of the "look." You know the one—where she doesn't even have to say a word, and you know exactly how her character’s heart is breaking. In this film, she leans into a more weathered, vulnerable version of that. It’s a departure from the high-powered executive roles or the sleek thrillers like The Perfect Guy.
- Directed by: Tina Mabry
- Co-stars: Uzo Aduba and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
- Release Date: Late 2024 (Streaming on Hulu/Disney+)
Seeing these three powerhouses on screen together is honestly like watching a masterclass. They don't compete; they harmonize.
The Pivot to Directing: On the Come Up
You can’t talk about a new movie with sanaa lathan without acknowledging her massive shift behind the camera. While The Supremes is her latest acting credit, her directorial debut, On the Come Up (2022), is still making waves for people just now discovering it on Paramount+.
It’s based on the Angie Thomas novel. Yes, the same author who wrote The Hate U Give.
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Sanaa didn't just direct it; she showed up in front of the camera as Jayda "Jay" Jackson. It was a bold move. Most actors play it safe for their first time in the director's chair. She didn't. She tackled the battle rap scene in Garden Heights with a level of authenticity that surprised a lot of critics.
People think directing is just telling people where to stand. It’s not. It's about pacing, tone, and the "soul" of the frame. Sanaa proved she’s got the eye for it.
What's Next for Sanaa in 2026?
So, what’s on the horizon? Aside from her recent appearance at the Golden Globes parties in early 2026—looking ageless in Greta Constantine, by the way—she’s been lean on "official" announcements for 2026.
However, we know she’s been active in the voice-acting world. If you haven’t heard her as Selina Kyle (Catwoman) in the Harley Quinn series, you’re missing out on some of the funniest, sassiest voice work in animation.
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Ancestry and Finding Your Roots
Just this week (January 2026), Sanaa appeared on the PBS series Finding Your Roots. If you want to see the "real" Sanaa, this is better than any movie. She and Wiz Khalifa traced their lineages back to the Great Migration. It’s a raw, emotional look at where she comes from, and it explains a lot about the depth she brings to her Black American characters.
Why We Keep Watching
The "Sanaa Lathan effect" is real. She represents a specific era of Black Hollywood that felt intentional and grounded. Whether she's playing a CIA Deputy Director in American Assassin or a struggling mother in a directorial debut, there's a consistency there.
We live in a world of "fast-food" cinema.
Sanaa Lathan is a slow-cooked meal.
She doesn't do ten movies a year. She does one or two that matter.
How to Catch Up on the Latest
If you’re ready to dive into the latest from her, here is the roadmap:
- Stream The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat on Hulu. It’s the definitive "new" project that showcases her current range.
- Watch On the Come Up on Paramount+. See her work from the other side of the lens; it changes how you view her acting.
- Check out the Finding Your Roots episode (January 2026). It’s a great way to see the woman behind the roles.
- Revisit The Best Man: The Final Chapters on Peacock. If you missed the limited series, you missed the perfect closure for her iconic character, Robyn.
Stop waiting for a massive theatrical blockbuster. The best work is happening on the streamers right now. Go watch Barbara Jean’s story—bring tissues. You’ll need them.