The California sun bleeds orange as the camera sweeps across the drought-stricken landscape, the air thick with the smell of pine and impending doom. In the quiet town of Paradise, bus driver Kevin McKay, a man haunted by a past he can’t outrun, preps his route, the yellow school bus gleaming faintly under the oppressive sky. Inside Concow Elementary, teacher Mary Ludwig, her voice laced with warmth, corrals her students, oblivious to the creeping tendrils of smoke on the horizon. Sheriff Thomas, a grizzled veteran of the area, watches the sky with growing concern, a knot forming in his stomach as radio reports crackle with increasing urgency. As Ruby Bishop, a determined mother, waves goodbye to her children, the first embers begin to fall, harbingers of a firestorm that will soon engulf everything, testing the limits of courage and the bonds of humanity as Kevin and Mary fight to lead their precious cargo through hell itself.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Lost Bus Movie Overview
Title | The Lost Bus |
---|---|
Release Status | Released |
Release Date | 2025-09-19 |
Runtime | 2 hours and 10 minutes |
Genre | Thriller, Drama, History, Mystery |
Original Language | En |
Spoken Language | English |
Country | United States of America |
Production Co. | Blumhouse Productions, Comet Pictures, Apple Studios |
The Lost Bus Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Matthew McConaughey | Kevin McKay |
America Ferrera | Mary Ludwig |
Yul Vazquez | Chief Martinez |
Ashlie Atkinson | Ruby Bishop |
Kimberli Flores | Linda |
Levi McConaughey | Shaun |
Kay McConaughey | Sherry |
John Messina | Self |
Kate Wharton | Jen Kissoon |
Danny McCarthy | Matt McKenzie |
Spencer Watson | Elliot Hopkins |
Beth Bowersox | Self |
Nathan Gariety | Toby |
Olivia Darling Busby | Ava |
Mac Ericsson | Alex |
Alexander Shimoyama | Benjamin |
Jet James Grant | Brandon |
Autumn Molina | Chloe |
Marian Jones | Ella |
Emmery Davis | Gabriella |
Elizabeth Sophia Hsu | Grace |
Audrey Pazienza | Isabelle |
James Anderson Ford | Jacob |
Andrew McMaster | Jack |
William Troy Ford | Jamie |
Kaius Eteeyan | Kai |
Bennett Gariety | Logan |
Mia Wagenman | Maddie |
Sophie Jane Frick | Maya |
Evelyn Thorpe | Rachel |
Scire Amor | Rose |
Leela Rice | Shannon |
Gavin Lee Galbraith | Tommy |
Daelynn Rayne | Violet |
Kenneth Hardison | Jarbo Gap Firefighter |
George Quintana | Jarbo Gap Firefighter |
Porfirio Chavarria | Jarbo Gap Firefighter |
AJ Trujillo | Jarbo Gap Firefighter |
Diego Montoya | Jarbo Gap Firefighter |
Sean Norman | Self |
Jason Dyer | Self |
David Broshious | Self |
Matt Bergstrand | Self |
William Lopez | Self |
Jason Finney | Self |
Freddy Martinez | Self |
Ken Lowe | Self |
Gary Kraus | Sheriff Thomas |
Devon Wycoff | Brandie Rendon |
Peter Diseth | PG&E Rep |
Denielle Fisher Johnson | Principal Hayes |
Kristy Nelson | Teacher Kristy |
Brian Hill | Teacher Brian |
Mo Beatty | C. Kierman |
Cesario Flores | Bus Office Foreman |
Ginger T. Rex | Vet |
Hannah Mosqueda | Concow Resident |
Christopher Hagen | Concow Resident |
Stephanie M. Jones | Town Hall Official |
Justin Mann | Truck Driver |
Merritt C. Glover | Drug Store Assistant |
Jermaine Washington | Father |
Sofia Embid | Mother |
Carrie Lazar | Teacher |
Martin Patterson | Maintenance Man |
Eb Lottimer | Roe Road Man |
Henry Frost | Roe Road Man |
Katy Tierney | Roe Road Woman |
Cheyenne Chavez | Drive Thru Clerk |
Brittany van Wyk | Michael’s Mom |
Sigrid Hannah Mabel | Alex’s Mom |
Jace Wensley | Alex |
Briggs Thompson | Echo |
Willie Brown | Sophia’s Uncle |
Ariana Rico | Sophia |
John Emory | Male Driver |
Donald Lindsey | Roadblock Police Officer |
Tanner Tixier | Roadblock Police Officer |
Bianca M. Quintana | ECC Dispatcher |
Sabrina Varela | ECC Dispatcher |
Jeffery Leroy Herrera | ECC Dispatcher |
Savannah Dierra-Nicole Parker | ECC Dispatcher |
Ali Vaisvil | Town Hall Assistant |
Dave E. Hunt Sr. | Town Hall Assistant |
Dave Peña | Town Hall Assistant |
Craig Dirgo | Town Hall Assistant |
Frank Woods | Town Hall Assistant |
Paul Thompson | Town Hall Assistant |
Norma Lee | PG&E Lineman |
Kiyoko Goto | Concow Youth |
Lydia Bohannon | Concow Youth |
Martin Arellano | Police Officer |
John Grabowska | Reporter |
Elizabeth M. Kallman | Reporter |
Sarah Barker | Chico Registration Women |
Robert Wise | Cal Fire Official |
Paul Carlos | Firefighter Comms |
Jason Morris | Firefighter Comms |
Shem Hawkins | Air Attack (voice) |
The Lost Bus Movie Storyline
In the heart of a drought-stricken California, a dedicated school teacher named Mary Ludwig, haunted by personal tragedy, dedicates herself to her students in the small, isolated town of Paradise. As the wildfire season peaks, a seemingly ordinary school day takes a terrifying turn when the monstrous Camp Fire ignites, engulfing the surrounding landscape with alarming speed. With evacuation orders issued late, Mary, along with bus driver Ruby Bishop, bravely attempts to lead her class to safety aboard the school bus. But the inferno advances faster than anticipated, trapping them on a narrow, winding mountain road. As panic sets in, Kevin McKay, a determined father desperate to save his son Shaun who is on the bus, embarks on a perilous journey through the burning landscape, battling flames and debris to reach them. Meanwhile, Chief Martinez, the local fire chief, faces an impossible situation with limited resources and a rapidly escalating disaster. Inside the bus, Mary struggles to maintain order and hope, using her knowledge of survival skills to keep the children calm while navigating through the smoke-filled roads. Kevin, fueled by unwavering love, confronts unimaginable obstacles, relying on his instincts and resilience. In a race against time, Mary, Ruby, Kevin, and Chief Martinez must confront their deepest fears and make impossible choices to survive the relentless firestorm, culminating in a harrowing rescue operation that will forever change their lives and the fate of Paradise.
The Lost Bus Movie Details
“The Lost Bus,” a gripping thriller inspired by true events, plunges into the heart of the devastating Camp Fire that ravaged Paradise, California. As a wall of flames descends upon the town, a school bus carrying a group of elementary students and their dedicated teacher Mary Ludwig finds itself trapped in the inferno. Facing impossible odds, Kevin McKay, a determined father, embarks on a desperate race against time to reach his child and the others stranded in the path of the wildfire. With communication lines down and the blaze intensifying, Kevin must navigate treacherous landscapes and overcome harrowing obstacles, all while battling his own fears and the overwhelming sense of helplessness. Sheriff Thomas and Chief Martinez coordinate rescue efforts from the ground as they struggle with the unpredictable nature of the disaster, and a town is pushed to the brink. The film explores themes of parental love, courage in the face of adversity, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable tragedy. The Lost Bus, driven by the frantic efforts of parents and first responders, the film becomes a poignant and suspenseful examination of community, survival, and the enduring power of hope in the face of unimaginable loss, also featuring Kimberli Flores in a supporting role.
The Lost Bus Movie Poster Images




The Lost Bus Movie Trailers
An Inside Look
Q&A | TIFF 2025
The Lost Bus Movie FAQs
What is the movie “The Lost Bus” about?
It’s a thriller drama based on a true story, about a father who risks everything to rescue a teacher and her students from a raging wildfire.
When is “The Lost Bus” scheduled to be released?
The movie’s release date is September 19, 2025.
Who are the main actors in “The Lost Bus”?
The movie stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera in leading roles.
What genres does “The Lost Bus” fall into?
“The Lost Bus” is a thriller, drama, and mystery with historical elements.
Is “The Lost Bus” based on a true story?
Yes, the movie is inspired by a true story of survival.
Who directed “The Lost Bus”?
Paul Greengrass directed the movie.
Which production companies were involved in making “The Lost Bus”?
Blumhouse Productions, Comet Pictures, and Apple Studios produced “The Lost Bus”.
Where can I watch “The Lost Bus” when it’s released?
The movie is an Apple Studios production, so it will likely be available on Apple TV+.
What is the runtime of “The Lost Bus”?
The movie has a runtime of 130 minutes.
Is there a tagline for “The Lost Bus”?
Yes, the tagline is “Inspired by a true story of survival.”