The Lost Bus is a survival drama film directed by Paul Greengrass, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby. Inspired by true events, the 2025 film follows a school bus driver and a caring teacher who try to save the lives of 22 children from a terrifying wildfire. The Lost Bus stars Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, and Katie Wharton. So, if you loved the intense drama, survival thriller aspect, and compelling characters in Apple TV+’s The Lost Bus, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
The 33 (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The 33 is a biographical disaster-survival drama film directed by Patricia Riggen from a screenplay co-written by Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten, and Michael Thomas. Based on Héctor Tobar’s 2014 non-fiction book Deep Down Dark, the 2015 film revolves around the 33 miners who get trapped inside the San José Mine in Chile for 69 days. The 33 stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, and Adriana Barraza.
Everest (Rent on Prime Video)
Everest is a biographical survival film directed by Baltasar Kormákur from a screenplay co-written by William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy. The 2015 film chronicles the 1996 Mount Everest disaster during which eight climbers died, and it follows Rob Hall and Scott Fisher, who lead their expedition groups trying to survive. Everest stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Thirteen Lives (Prime Video)
Thirteen Lives is a biographical survival film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by William Nicholson. Inspired by a true story, the 2022 film revolves around the rescue efforts to save twelve young boys and their football coach who get trapped in the Tham Luang cave because of a rainstorm. Thirteen Lives stars Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, and Tom Bateman.
Only the Brave (Rent on Prime Video)
Only the Brave is a biographical drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski from a screenplay co-written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer. Based on the GQ article titled “No Exit” by Sean Flynn, the 2017 film revolves around a group of brave firefighters who decide to ignore orders and protect a town full of people from a historic wildfire. Only the Brave stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, and Jennifer Connelly.
The Impossible (Rent on Prime Video)
The Impossible is a biographical disaster drama film directed by J.A. Bayona from a screenplay by Sergio G. Sanchez. Inspired by the experience of Maria Belón and her family, the 2012 film is set in December 2004, and it follows Maria and her family on a vacation in Thailand when a tsunami hits and separates them. The Impossible stars Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, and Samuel Joslin.
On Fire (Prime Video)
On Fire is a survival drama film co-directed by Peter Facinelli and Nick Lyon from a screenplay co-written by Lyon and Ron Peer. Inspired by true events, the 2024 film follows a family struggling with their financial situation, but when their lives are threatened by a wildfire, their main goal becomes survival. On Fire stars Peter Facinelli, Fiona Dourif, Asher Angel, Lance Henriksen, and Glenn Morshower.
Backdraft (Rent on Prime Video)
Backdraft is an action thriller film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Gregory Widen. The 1991 film a cocky rookie firefighter who has a tense relationship his older firefighter brother but when a serial arsonist begins attacking the city they must work together to catch him. Backdraft stars Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, and Robert De Niro.