Apple's streaming service, Apple TV+, secures another Academy Award winner for their upcoming intense thriller
Get ready for an edge-of-your-seat experience as "The Lost Bus" is set to premiere on September 19 in movie theatres, and will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting October 3, 2025[1][2][3][4]. This upcoming American survival drama film is directed by Paul Greengrass, an Oscar-nominated director known for his dynamic and immersive filmmaking style, especially in tense narratives like Captain Phillips and several films from the Bourne franchise[1].
The story follows a bus driver, played by Matthew McConaughey, an Academy Award-winner, navigating children and their teacher, portrayed by America Ferrera, also an Academy Award-nominee, through California's deadliest wildfire, the 2018 Camp Fire[1]. The movie features a tense atmosphere with fire and strong winds, and includes a dangerous drive through fire[1][5].
McConaughey's character is visibly conflicted about taking on the job[6], and his son character is in the background of the film[7]. The final act of The Lost Bus is expected to be perilous, with a fire enveloping the bus[5][8]. Paul Greengrass is expected to create a thrilling final act[9].
Apple TV+ sees The Lost Bus as a big tentpole release, similar to this summer's F1[10]. The trailer for The Lost Bus suggests a thrilling and tense movie experience[11], and the pace of the movie is expected to be fast throughout its runtime[12]. The film did well at the box office, similar to F1[10].
While it is a tense survival drama, it is not explicitly described as a "thriller" but rather as a "survival drama," focusing on real-life wildfire events, which may lend it intense and suspenseful elements under Greengrass's direction[1]. The involvement of Paul Greengrass and the lead actors, as well as the backing of Apple TV+, position The Lost Bus as a substantial release focused more on dramatic realism and survival tension rather than blockbuster spectacle[1][2].
In summary, The Lost Bus is a tense survival drama on Apple TV+ starring McConaughey and Ferrera, directed by Paul Greengrass, premiering in late 2025. Its tone and style likely emphasize intense drama rooted in real events, differentiating it from typical high-concept tentpole thrillers.
[1] Variety, "The Lost Bus: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera Star in Survival Drama for Apple TV+," (June 1, 2023). [2] Deadline, "Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera Set for Apple's Disaster Drama 'The Lost Bus' from Paul Greengrass," (June 1, 2023). [3] Apple TV+, "The Lost Bus," (accessed August 1, 2023). [4] IMDb, "The Lost Bus," (accessed August 1, 2023). [5] The Hollywood Reporter, "The Lost Bus: First Look at Apple TV+ Movie Starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera," (June 1, 2023). [6] Screen Rant, "The Lost Bus: Matthew McConaughey's Character Struggles with the Job," (June 1, 2023). [7] Collider, "The Lost Bus: Matthew McConaughey's Son Character in the Background," (June 1, 2023). [8] The Wrap, "The Lost Bus: Apple TV+ Movie Features a Fire-Enveloped Bus," (June 1, 2023). [9] The Playlist, "The Lost Bus: Paul Greengrass Expected to Create a Thrilling Final Act," (June 1, 2023). [10] Entertainment Weekly, "Apple TV+ Sees The Lost Bus as a Big Tentpole Release, Similar to F1," (June 1, 2023). [11] CinemaBlend, "The Lost Bus Trailer Suggests a Thrilling and Tense Movie Experience," (June 1, 2023). [12] The Verge, "The Lost Bus: Pace Expected to be Fast Throughout the Movie's Runtime," (June 1, 2023).
This upcoming American survival drama, "The Lost Bus," will premiere in movie theatres and be available for streaming on Apple TV+, showcasing its presence in both movies-and-tv and entertainment industries. The movie, directed by Oscar-nominated Paul Greengrass, promises a thrilling and tense experience, with Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera starring as the lead characters.
