The Lost Bus Trailer – First Reactions

Apple Films just released the heart pounding trailer for their new film, The Lost Bus. Here’s our first reactions about this film.

What is The Lost Bus about?

During the one of the deadliest wildfires in California history, bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) reluctantly makes one of the biggest decisions in his life. He risks everything to rescue teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) and her 23 students at Ponderosa Elementary.

While trying to make it to safety, they get lost in an area most affected by the wildfires. Even though he wants to save these children, his own family is in the back of his mind. Determined, he’s on a mission to not only save the students, but save his own family as well.

This true story of based on Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by reporter Lizzie Johnson. The book contains first-hand accounts of the Camp Fire in November 2018 when residents awoke to a rapidly spreading fire. Not only does the book provide a minute-by-minute narrative of the events, it contains many stories like The Lost Bus of the willingness of humanity to save others.

First Reactions to The Lost Bus Trailer

Does this trailer deliver. Based on the trailer, this movie looks like it will be an edge of your seat, wild ride that’s full of emotion. At the beginning of the trailer, you see the angst on the face of McConaughey’s face as he grapples with the decision of whether to help these kids or not knowing his own child may be in danger. As the trailer continues and the bus becomes lost in the hardest hit area, I was holding my breath. And this was only the trailer. I can just imagine how the movie will be.

As far as the special effects, they did a good job of making the smoke and fire seem as real as possible. Many times, you can see the CGI outline of smoke which can take away from the film. So I applaud Apple Films for not skimping on the CGI especially for a story such as this.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen McConaughey on the big screen and Ferrera always puts her all into her roles. My only gripe is that the film should have had a wider release. With the success of F1, I’m sure this movie could do just as well in theaters. I’m looking forward to watching it.

How to watch The Lost Bus?

The film will arrive in select theaters on September 19, 2025 and stream on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025 with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

What is The Lost Bus rated?

The film has a rating of R for language.

The Lost Bus Trailer