The California sun beats down on the small town of Concow, oblivious to the simmering threat in the surrounding hills. Inside a bustling school, Mary Ludwig, a dedicated teacher, corrals her students onto the old, yellow school bus for what seems like a routine afternoon drop-off. Among them is Shaun, a bright-eyed boy eager to get home, and Chloe, a quiet girl sketching in her notebook. As the bus winds through narrow, tree-lined roads, the sky darkens ominously. News crackles over the radio – the rapidly spreading wildfire, named the “North Complex,” is closing in fast. Miles away, Kevin McKay, Shaun’s determined father, hears the chilling reports and knows he must act. Sheriff Thomas, struggles to maintain order as evacuation routes become choked with panicked residents. The bus, with Mary and her young charges, unknowingly drives straight into the inferno’s path, becoming a beacon of hope and a target of nature’s unforgiving wrath.
The Lost Bus Movie Overview
| Title | The Lost Bus |
|---|---|
| Release Status | Released |
| Release Date | 2025-09-19 |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 10 minutes |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| 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 | John Messina |
| Kate Wharton | Jen Kissoon |
| Danny McCarthy | Matt McKenzie |
| Spencer Watson | Elliot Hopkins |
| Beth Bowersox | Beth Bowersox |
| 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 | Sean Norman |
| Jason Dyer | Jason Dyer |
| David Broshious | David Broshious |
| Matt Bergstrand | Matt Bergstrand |
| William Lopez | William Lopez |
| Jason Finney | Jason Finney |
| Freddy Martinez | Freddy Martinez |
| Ken Lowe | Ken Lowe |
| 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 California’s wildfire country, “The Lost Bus” begins with a seemingly ordinary school day. Kevin McKay, a determined father haunted by past regrets, waves goodbye to his son Shaun as he boards the bus driven by the compassionate Mary Ludwig. As the day unfolds, a distant wildfire rapidly escalates, fueled by relentless winds, trapping Mary and her young students. News of the approaching inferno sends the small community of Jarbo Gap into panic, and Chief Martinez struggles to coordinate a chaotic evacuation. Kevin, refusing to remain idle, embarks on a perilous journey to reach his son, battling through treacherous terrain and navigating roadblocks manned by desperate residents. Meanwhile, Mary, displaying extraordinary courage, attempts to keep her students safe and calm amidst the growing danger, utilizing her knowledge of the area to find a viable escape route. As the fire closes in, Kevin’s path converges with Mary’s, forcing them to collaborate in a desperate race against time, testing the limits of their resilience, and ultimately revealing the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, culminating in a heart-wrenching rescue attempt that leaves the community forever changed.
The Lost Bus Movie Details
Inspired by true events, “The Lost Bus” plunges into the heart of the devastating California wildfires, where a school bus carrying children becomes trapped amidst the raging inferno. Kevin McKay, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, a fiercely determined father, embarks on a perilous race against time to rescue his child, Shaun, and the other students onboard. America Ferrera stars as Mary Ludwig, a dedicated and courageous teacher who finds herself responsible for the safety of her young pupils as the fire encroaches, pushing her to the limits of her resilience. As the wildfire intensifies, Mary, along with driver, face unimaginable challenges, battling not only the flames but also dwindling resources and rising panic among the children. Yul Vazquez, as Chief Martinez, grapples with coordinating rescue efforts amidst the chaos, confronting the sheer scale of the disaster and the limitations of his resources. Back in town, Ruby Bishop becomes a beacon of hope, organizing community support and desperately seeking any information about the missing bus. “The Lost Bus” is a gripping thriller that explores themes of parental love, selfless courage, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity, set against the backdrop of a natural disaster that threatens to consume everything in its path.
The Lost Bus Movie Poster Images
The Lost Bus Movie Trailers
I Can Get 'Em Scene
America Ferrera Takes the Wheel from Matthew McConaughey Scene
The Lost Bus Movie FAQs
What is the movie The Lost Bus about?
The Lost Bus is a thriller based on a true story about a father who risks everything to rescue a teacher and her students from a raging wildfire.
Who are the main actors in The Lost Bus?
The main actors in The Lost Bus are Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera.
What genres does The Lost Bus belong to?
The Lost Bus belongs to the Drama, Mystery, and Thriller genres.
When is The Lost Bus scheduled to be released?
The Lost Bus is scheduled to be released on September 19, 2025.
Is The Lost Bus based on a true story?
Yes, The Lost Bus is inspired by a true story of survival.
Who directed The Lost Bus?
The Lost Bus is directed by Paul Greengrass.
Which production companies are involved in The Lost Bus?
The production companies involved are Blumhouse Productions, Comet Pictures, and Apple Studios.
What is the runtime of The Lost Bus?
The runtime of The Lost Bus is 130 minutes.
What is the IMDb ID for The Lost Bus movie?
The IMDb ID for The Lost Bus is tt21103218.
Where can I watch The Lost Bus?
The movie has a homepage on Apple TV, so it will be available there.
