New Survival Thriller ‘The Lost Bus’ Dominates Apple TV+ Charts Amidst Critical Acclaim
Apple TV+ has a new chart-topping hit with the release of ‘The Lost Bus,’ a gripping survival thriller that premiered globally on the streaming service on October 3, 2025. The movie, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass, stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera and has quickly ascended to the number one spot on Apple TV+’s most-watched movies list in the United States and over 20 other regions across North and South America.
The film’s success follows a limited theatrical release beginning September 19, 2025, and a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025. ‘The Lost Bus’ has garnered significant positive attention, holding an 87% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience scores also remaining high. Metacritic reports generally favorable reviews, with a score of 65 based on 27 critic reviews.
A Harrowing True Story of Survival
‘The Lost Bus’ is based on the non-fiction book ‘Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire’ by Lizzie Johnson. The book chronicles the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in California, the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history. The film focuses on the true story of Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a school bus driver who, amidst the chaos and destruction, heroically evacuates 22 schoolchildren and their teacher, Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), to safety.
The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, due to a faulty Pacific Gas and Electric Company transmission line. Fueled by strong winds, the fire rapidly spread through communities like Paradise, destroying over 18,000 structures, claiming 85 lives, and displacing more than 50,000 people, causing an estimated $16.5 billion in damages. The movie captures the terrifying experience of navigating through dense smoke, blocked roads, and active flames, emphasizing the courage and quick thinking required to survive such an event.
A Star-Studded Cast and Visionary Director
Paul Greengrass, known for his ‘shaky cam’ aesthetic and grounded portrayals of real-life events in films like ‘United 93’ and ‘Captain Phillips,’ brings his signature directorial style to ‘The Lost Bus’. He co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby. The film also features a notable cast, including Yul Vazquez as Cal Fire Division Chief Ray Martinez and Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby, the bus depot dispatcher. Matthew McConaughey’s son, Levi McConaughey, and his mother, Kay McConaughey, also appear in the movie.
Critics have praised the film’s performances, particularly McConaughey’s grounded portrayal and Ferrera’s emotional anchor role. The cinematography and visual effects, especially the depiction of the wildfire, have also received commendation. The movie effectively conveys the claustrophobic terror of the situation, balancing suspense with moments of unexpected tenderness.
Apple TV+’s Evolving Movie Strategy
The success of ‘The Lost Bus’ aligns with Apple TV+’s strategic shift in its movie releases. Following a period of high-budget films that did not meet box office expectations, Apple has increasingly prioritized direct-to-streaming releases or limited theatrical windows for awards qualification, focusing on original content that Hollywood studios are less inclined to produce.
This strategy has yielded recent hits for the streamer, including ‘Wolfs’ and ‘The Gorge,’ which have performed well on the platform. ‘The Lost Bus’ joins this slate of critically acclaimed new movies, demonstrating Apple TV+’s growing strength in attracting solid viewership for its original productions. With a compelling true story, a renowned director, and star power, ‘The Lost Bus’ has quickly become a standout new movie and a testament to Apple’s current momentum in the streaming market. The film is available for streaming now on Apple TV+.
