Matthew McConaughey Stars In California Wildfire Drama Premiere

Matthew McConaughey returns to the big screen in "The Lost Bus," a gripping survival drama inspired by the 2018 California Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in the state's history. Directed by Paul Greengrass and based on Lizzie Johnson's book, the film follows a school bus driver and a dedicated teacher, played by McConaughey and America Ferrera, as they risk their lives to save 22 children from the raging inferno. The movie premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and is set for theatrical release on September 19, 2025, followed by streaming on Apple TV+ starting October 3, 2025. McConaughey described the film as a deeply personal and urgent story about resilience, human choices, and the relationship between people and nature, highlighting the real danger of wildfires. The production involved filming in front of real flames to capture the intense and terrifying atmosphere, and also features McConaughey's son and mother playing his character's family members. Jamie Lee Curtis, a producer who experienced recent wildfires herself, emphasized the film's emotional impact, especially for those who have lived through such disasters.