Starring: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
We’ve lived through the Murder Mysterenaissance, basked in the Brendanaissance, and survived the Cageaissance — but now it’s time for the ultimate comeback: McConaissance 2.0.
After a six-year hiatus from on-screen acting (aside from the occasional voice role), Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey is back with not one but two major films arriving this year. First up is The Rivals of Amziah King, a gritty crime thriller from The Vast of Night director Andrew Patterson. But stealing the spotlight for now is The Lost Bus, an emotional and adrenaline-charged survival drama headed to Apple TV+, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass.
A Story of Courage in the Face of Disaster
The Lost Bus is based on Paradise, a gripping first-hand account of California’s 2018 Camp Fire disaster by journalist Lizzie Johnson. McConaughey stars alongside America Ferrera (Barbie, Ugly Betty) as a bus driver and a school teacher, respectively, who must lead 22 schoolchildren to safety as a deadly wildfire rapidly engulfs their route.
According to the official synopsis, the film is “a white-knuckle ride through one of America’s deadliest wildfires,” and judging by the newly released teaser trailer — that’s no exaggeration.
Watch the Tense First Trailer
The one-minute teaser is light on dialogue but heavy on tension. Shaky handheld shots, choked skies filled with ash, and desperate radio static set a harrowing tone, as McConaughey and Ferrera navigate a nightmare scenario with haunting urgency. The fire rages. Smoke blinds. But the focus remains: survival.
Though McConaughey doesn’t utter a word in the teaser, his presence is commanding — a silent pillar of calm amid chaos. His pairing with Paul Greengrass, a master of real-life drama (United 93, 22 July, Bloody Sunday), feels both inspired and perfectly timed.
From Page to Screen: A Long Journey
The Lost Bus has been years in the making. It was Jamie Lee Curtis who first optioned Johnson’s book for film, recognizing its emotional core and cinematic potential. Greengrass joined the project before the industry-wide WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and with the strikes now behind us, the film is finally nearing its release.
Coming Soon to Apple TV+
While an exact release date has yet to be confirmed, The Lost Bus is expected to premiere later this year on Apple TV+. And based on early footage, it may well emerge as a serious awards contender — and a triumphant reminder of why we missed McConaughey so much.
Stay tuned for the full trailer and release details as they arrive on OMX Movies »
