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Amid one of America’s deadliest wildfires, a reckless school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a devoted teacher (America Ferrera) race against a raging inferno to evacuate 22 frightened children, confronting scorching heat, collapsing roads and split‑second decisions in a desperate fight for survival.

Amid one of America’s deadliest wildfires, a reckless school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a devoted teacher (America Ferrera) race against a raging inferno to evacuate 22 frightened children, confronting scorching heat, collapsing roads and split‑second decisions in a desperate fight for survival.

Does The Lost Bus have end credit scenes?

No!

The Lost Bus does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for The Lost Bus

See how The Lost Bus is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Lost Bus stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

71

In summary, The Lost Bus delivers a vigorous disaster spectacle anchored by strong direction and striking visuals, while its narrative and character development show unevenness. The film benefits from compelling performances, especially by McConaughey, and moments of intense sensory immersion. However, clichéd screenplay elements and occasional pacing lulls diminish its cohesion. Consequently, the movie offers a solid, if imperfect, viewing experience that rewards repeat watches for its climax but may leave the audience wanting more consistency.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Lost Bus

78
Echo Score

Art & Craft

Regarding art and craft, the direction employs a restless kinetic style that heightens verisimilitude, and the cinematography delivers well‑shot action sequences with impressive scale. Production design captures the chaos of a disaster setting, while editing maintains tension during climactic moments. Nonetheless, occasional reliance on familiar visual tropes and uneven execution temper the overall craftsmanship.

65
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When assessing character and emotion, McConaughey’s performance anchors the film with a nuanced portrayal of a flawed father, and the supporting cast supplies credible tension. However, the screenplay offers limited depth for most secondary figures, leaving only a few individuals fully realized. This imbalance results in a mixed emotional impact, where strong central acting is offset by underdeveloped peripheral characters.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the plot follows a high‑stakes rescue that sustains audience interest through escalating danger. The pacing, however, suffers from intermittent lulls and a reliance on genre clichés that blunt originality. The climax delivers satisfying rhythm, yet earlier sections feel uneven, leading to a narrative that is engaging in parts but inconsistent overall.

80
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

The sensory experience stands out with a roar of realistic fire effects, a tight sound design that amplifies tension, and a soundtrack that underscores the urgency of the disaster. Visual composition captures both the grandeur of sprawling flames and intimate moments of peril. While generally cohesive, occasional over‑stated explosions marginally disrupt the otherwise immersive atmosphere.

70
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

The rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s climactic finale and intense sensory set‑pieces reward additional viewings, revealing new details in the chaos. Strong central performance and realistic disaster elements retain appeal, yet the uneven pacing and thin character arcs limit long‑term replay value. Consequently, the movie remains engaging for a second watch but may not sustain frequent repeat viewings.

Metacritic

64

Metascore

6.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

87%

TOMATOMETER

review

94%

User Score

IMDb

/10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.3

From 27 fan ratings

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Lost Bus

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Lost Bus. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official Trailer 2

Official Teaser

Q&A | TIFF 2025

An Inside Look

Jamie Lee Curtis Reveals They Cast Real People from the 2018 Camp Fire in 'The Lost Bus'

Jamie Lee Curtis & Cast Read Passages from Paradise

The Lost Bus Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


schoolteacherwrongthree word titleforest firebus driverwildfireconflagration

The Lost Bus Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Lost Bus across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


האוטובוס האבוד İtmiş Avtobus '로스트 버스' - The Lost Bus The Lost Bus - Au cœur des flammes Autobus naděje 火海救援號 火燒天堂鎮 Le bus perdu Το Χαμένο Λεωφορείο द लॉस्ट बस Zaginiony autokar O Ônibus Perdido ロスト・バス O Autocarro Perdido A través del fuego Laberinto en llamas Autobus nádeje Автобус у вогні 火烧天堂镇 Chuyến Xe Buýt Giữa Biển Lửa - The Lost Bus Школьный автобус اتوبوس گمشده

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