In Apple TV+‘s “The Lost Bus,” audiences are swept up into a harrowing real-world drama. This story follows a school bus driver and a dedicated teacher who risk their lives to save young students during one of California’s most devastating wildfires. The on-screen tension isn’t just about flames and smoke – it’s about the human will to survive. With Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay and America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig, “The Lost Bus” carries serious emotional weight. Their ordeal feels deeply personal, especially as it plays out against life-or-death circumstances.
Given that “The Lost Bus” is based on real-life events, the setting plays a major role. Still, production opted not to utilize California, where the Paradise Fire raged in 2018. Instead, they set up shop across New Mexico’s varied landscapes to recreate the intense wildfire scenes without having to use a real disaster zone, per NetFilming. Here’s everything viewers need to know about the movie’s filming locations.
Where Did They Film ‘The Lost Bus’?
According to the New Mexico Film Office, filming for “The Lost Bus” was primarily conducted around Santa Fe, with additional scenes shot in Española and Ruidoso. The state’s diverse terrain was utilized to mimic California’s wildfire-scarred foothills. The state’s varied landscapes were tapped to stand in for California’s wildfire-scarred foothills. That choice wasn’t just creative – it was logistical too. New Mexico offered generous filming incentives and ready settings that could convincingly double for the West Coast terrain.
As New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson shared, “This project will create thousands of jobs for New Mexicans, on and off set, and will showcase regions across the state, including Española and Ruidoso, bringing a positive economic impact to communities statewide.”
Tips For Exploring The Movie’s New Mexico Filming Locations
Key Scenes: Although visual effects were used, many of the most dramatic scenes were filmed on location in New Mexico, per the Albuquerque Journal. This includes sequences of characters evacuating along smoky, burn-scarred roads, which were captured in Ruidoso. The area’s thick pine forests and narrow routes offered a realistic backdrop, as Discover Ruidoso confirms.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Ruidoso and nearby areas is usually in the fall (September to November). During this season, the weather cools down, the air is crisp, the trees burst with color and crowds thin out. This makes it ideal for hiking and mountain biking.
Transportation Options: The NM Rail Runner Express commuter train connects Santa Fe to surrounding areas, while local bus systems like ABQ Ride are also available. It is possible to get back and forth between Sante Fe and Ruidoso via commuter trains, but visitors will just need to go through Albuquerque first. Travelers seeking convenience can utilize taxis, car rentals or ride-share services.
Many real locations were used to film “The Lost Bus,” though you won’t always spot familiar landmarks. Ruidoso doubled for Paradise, California in several scenes, while Santa Fe also played a key role as backdrop. Because wildfire visuals were so central, much of the production crew’s efforts focused on making the natural disaster feel real through visual effects.
As Indie Wire shares, filmmakers created their own controlled burns to film in Santa Fe, but only after finding an ideal filming location there. An abandoned campus provided a huge terrain and pretty much free reign to experiment with lighting and flames. Of course, this was no easy process, as Director Paul Greengrass shared.
“[A desire for realism] led me to think that the only way that we could successfully make this movie [excluding the beginning and end of taking place in the non-smoke-filled daylight] was that it had to be shot at magic hour, that’s only 45 minutes at the end of the day, but that’s what we did: We actually shot the bulk of this movie in a tiny portion of time,” he told the outlet.
Things to Do: The Santa Fe Plaza is a historical landmark that is very popular to explore on foot. Another option is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which is a great way to get a feel for the art community in New Mexico.
Where to Eat: For visitors to New Mexico, authentic local food is a must-try. The Ranch House is a popular option that offers affordable American cuisine. Another choice is the Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina, which serves southwestern cuisine in a chill bar environment.
Where to Stay: The Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort is one of the more upscale accommodation options in the area, with a price tag to match. For a more affordable stay, consider the Courtyard by Marriott Santa Fe, which is a short drive from popular attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is “The Lost Bus” movie?
Per Blavity, “The Lost Bus” is an adaptation of real-life events, so it is relatively accurate. Still, some liberties were taken for dramatic effect. It was also shot in a different location to respect affected communities, as Time reports.
How old is Matthew McConaughey’s son, Levi?
Matthew McConaughey’s son, Levi McConaughey (who also stars in the film), was born in July 2008, which makes him 17 years old.
What was Matthew McConaughey’s first movie?
Much of his early screen work was for commercials and TV, but his first feature film was “My Boyfriend’s Back” (1993). McConaughey had a small role, but gained recognition in the same year with “Dazed and Confused.”
