Unveiled at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, “The Lost Bus” marks Academy Award-nominee Paul Greengrass’ (“United 93,” “Captain Phillips,” “Bloody Sunday”) return to real-life catastrophe with a white-knuckle story of survival that refuses to let go. Following a world premiere that earned an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes and praise for its gripping mix of heroism and resilience, Apple Original Films has released the official trailer, spotlighting a desperate school bus driver and a determined teacher battling to save 22 children from a wildfire consuming everything in its path.
The film plunges audiences into the chaos of one of America’s most devastating wildfires. At its center is a flawed school bus driver, played by Matthew McConaughey, and a steadfast teacher, portrayed by America Ferrera, who must improvise under impossible conditions as they try to shepherd their young passengers to safety. Written by Greengrass and Brad Ingelsby (“Mare Of Easttown,” “Task”), the story is drawn from true events and informed by the reporting of Lizzie Johnson, author of “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire.”
As The Playlist review from TIFF observed, “Each event in the movie heightens the stakes as the audience can see — and to some extent feel — the fire’s heat affect those on the bus as the flames torch its metal floor and windows, and smoke creeps through the vents and crevices.”
That immediacy has long been Greengrass’ signature, and here it’s amplified by Ingelsby’s grounded writing and the performances of McConaughey and Ferrera, who bring grit and humanity to a story built on urgency.
“The Lost Bus” is produced by Greengrass and Ingelsby alongside Gregory Goodman, Jason Blum for Blumhouse Productions, and Jamie Lee Curtis for Comet Pictures, with Johnson and Amy Lord serving as executive producers. In addition to McConaughey and Ferrera, the cast features Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, and Spencer Watson.
“The Lost Bus” will debut in select theaters on September 19, 2025, before premiering globally on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025. Watch the new trailer below.
