Inspired by true events, Apple TV+’s new movie, The Lost Bus, tells the story of a bus driver and a dedicated school teacher who must guide 22 children to safety as they escape one of the deadliest wildfires in American history. The movie is based on Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 book, Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, which recounts the 2018 Camp Fire.
The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, in Butte County and quickly became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history.
Lizzie Johnson’s book, which inspired The Lost Bus, provides firsthand accounts of the disaster, including the story of a school bus full of children searching for an escape route, which inspired The Lost Bus. Here’s everything you need to know about the film, its real-life inspiration, and its upcoming release on Apple TV+.
When Does The Lost Bus Release on Apple TV+?
The Lost Bus will premiere on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025. The survival drama movie was released in theatres in a limited theatrical release on September 19, 2025.
| Name | The Lost Bus |
| Director | Paul Greengrass |
| Cast | Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, and Ashlie Atkinson |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 83% |
| Release Date | October 3, 2025 (Apple TV+) |
| Running Time | 130 minutes |
The movie first had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, where it drew early attention. Since then, the film has received positive reviews, earning an impressive 83% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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The Lost Bus: Cast and Crew Details
The Lost Bus features an ensemble cast led by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey alongside America Ferrera. McConaughey is taking on the role of Kevin McKay, the heroic bus driver responsible for 22 children, while Ferrera plays Mary Ludwig, a dedicated school teacher who joins him in the fight for survival.
| Cast | Characters | Discription |
| Matthew McConaughey | Kevin McKay | The bus driver |
| America Ferrera | Mary Ludwig | The school techer |
| Yul Vazquez | Ray Martinez | Cal Fire battalion chief |
| Ashlie Atkinson | Ruby | The bus depot dispatcher |
| Levi McConaughey | Shaun McKay | Kevin’s son |
| Kay McCabe McConaughey | Sherry McKay | Kevin’s disabled mother |
| Kate Wharton | Jen Kissoon | Cal Fire battalion chief |
| Danny McCarthy | McKenzie | – |
| Spencer Watson | Hopkins | – |
| Nathan Gariety | – | – |
| Gary Kraus as | Sheriff Thomas | – |
The supporting cast includes Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, Levi McConaughey, Kay McCabe McConaughey, and Kate Wharton (Apple TV+). The film is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Blum, Brad Ingelsby, and Gregory Goodman serving as producers.
Have you seen The Lost Bus yet? Are you waiting for its arrival on AppleTV+? Share your thoughts.
The Lost Bus will premiere on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025.
