What To Watch This Weekend: 'The Lost Bus,' 'HIM,' 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,' 'Morning Show,' And More

HOLLYWOOD, CA — From wildfire rescues to surreal road trips, this weekend’s watchlist spans survival thrillers, sports horror, romantic fantasy, media drama and tech-world takedowns — all streaming or hitting theaters near you.

“The Lost Bus” dramatizes the true story of a bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) who races through California’s deadliest wildfire to save 22 children. It’s a gripping survival tale where courage, resilience and raw determination flicker like embers in the dark.

“HIM” flips the sports movie on its head, plunging a rising quarterback (Tyriq Withers) into a cult-like training compound led by his idol (Marlon Wayans). Produced by Jordan Peele, this psychological horror blends body trauma with athletic obsession — think “Whiplash” meets “Hereditary.”

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” pairs Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie in a whimsical romantic fantasy, where GPS-guided doors lead to formative memories. Think “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” meets “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”

Season 4 of “The Morning Show” returns with newsroom chaos, AI paranoia, and corporate warfare. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon navigate a media landscape where truth is slippery and loyalty is transactional.

And for tech-world drama, “Swiped,” a glossy biopic, chronicles the rise and fallout of Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble’s founder, played by Lily James.

Ready to dive in? Scroll down for the full lineup — and step into the shimmering world of storytelling, where every frame is an escape.

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What To Watch This Weekend

“The Lost Bus”

Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera; directed by Paul Greengrass

Paul Greengrass’ “The Lost Bus” transforms the true story of the 2018 Camp Fire into a harrowing portrait of survival and heroism. Adapted from Lizzie Johnson’s nonfictional account, the film follows a school bus packed with children, driven through chaos by Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) and Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera). Greengrass brings his signature handheld realism to the inferno’s front lines, capturing tension not through spectacle but through silence, stillness and the unspoken valor of ordinary people. Cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth and composer James Newton Howard deepen the immersion, crafting a sensory experience where sound becomes survival and restraint amplifies emotion.

Though the screenplay falters early with thin character arcs and uneven pacing, the film finds redemption in its second act, where urgency sharpens and emotional clarity emerges. McConaughey delivers a quietly riveting performance, while Ferrera anchors the narrative with maternal resolve. By the end, “The Lost Bus” becomes more than a disaster film — it’s a tribute to the unsung heroes of Paradise, a meditation on courage under fire and a reminder that even in devastation, humanity glows like embers in the dark.

Check out Patch's full review of “The Lost Bus.”

“HIM”

Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers; directed by Justin Tipping

“HIM” is a bold, genre-defying psychological thriller that fuses the intensity of sports drama with the creeping dread of horror. The story follows a rising football star (Tyriq Withers) whose mentorship under a legendary quarterback (Marlon Wayans in a chillingly charismatic performance) slowly unravels into something far more sinister. What begins as a tale of ambition and legacy morphs into a disturbing exploration of identity, control and the cost of greatness.

Visually, the film is striking — moody lighting, surreal dream sequences, and a soundscape that keeps you on edge. The narrative, however, is intentionally ambiguous. It leans heavily into metaphor, leaving viewers to interpret its deeper meanings, which may frustrate those craving a more linear plot. If you’re in the mood for something unsettling, layered, and a little off-kilter, this one’s worth adding to your weekend watchlist.

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey”

Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie; directed by Kogonada

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” is a whimsical romantic fantasy that pairs Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as strangers drawn together by a mysterious GPS-guided road trip through their pasts. Directed by Kogonada and written by Seth Reiss, the film aims for emotional resonance through surreal storytelling and stylized visuals.

Farrell and Robbie bring charm to their roles, but their chemistry feels muted, and their romance struggles to connect. The premise — doors appearing in fields that lead to formative memories — is wildly inventive, yet the execution leans heavily on sentimentality. Supporting performances from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline add eccentric flair, though they’re given little room to shine.

Visually, the film is striking, with symmetrical framing and a dreamlike color palette that evokes the whimsical elegance of Jacques Demy (“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”) and the surreal inventiveness of Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”).

However, the narrative often meanders, and its attempts at profundity can feel forced at times. “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” is a daring swing that doesn’t always land, but the aesthetic remains immersive.

“The Morning Show” Season 4

Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon; directed by Mimi Leder

Season 4 of “The Morning Show” delivers its most ambitious and timely storyline yet, diving into the chaos of modern media with sharp performances and high-stakes drama. As the fictional UBA network faces a tense merger and the rise of artificial intelligence threatens journalistic integrity, the show explores power, ethics and identity in a world where truth is increasingly negotiable.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon return with commanding presence, while Jon Hamm adds sleek menace as a tech mogul with his own agenda. The writing is fast-paced, tackling deepfake scandals, newsroom betrayals and the blurred lines between fact and fiction.

Though some episodes suffer from uneven pacing and overstuffed subplots, the fourth season of the Apple TV+ hit drama is a must-watch, offering a compelling look at how media shapes public perception.

“Swiped”

Lily James, Dan Stevens; directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg

“Swiped” is a glossy, fast-paced biopic, chronicling the rise of Whitney Wolfe Herd, co-founder of Tinder and founder of Bumble. Lily James delivers a compelling performance as Herd, portraying her ambition, vulnerability and resilience as she navigates the male-dominated tech world.

Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, the film captures the energy of startup culture but struggles to balance tone and depth. While it effectively highlights workplace misogyny and Wolfe’s legal battles, it oversimplifies her journey post-Tinder and glosses over the complexities of building Bumble. Supporting characters echo familiar archetypes, and the narrative leans on well-worn conventions.

Despite its shortcomings, Hulu's “Swiped” remains engaging thanks to James’ standout performance and its timely themes. It’s not the next “The Social Network,” but it offers a digestible look at one woman’s fight to reshape online dating, and the tech industry itself.