Parents' Guide to

The Last Bus

By Monica Encarnacion, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Fantasy violence, brave teens in binge-worthy sci-fi.

TV Netflix Science Fiction 2022
The Last Bus TV Show: poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 9+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Kld4413
Kld4413 Adult
January 30, 2023
age 8+

A Perfect series for the family to watch together!

My children range from 5 to 12, so it's getting harder to find things we can all enjoy together. The only thing "concerning" about this series is that it has some suspensful/intense moments, so be mindful if your child is sensitive. I love that there is no romance. Season 1 is all about friendship, family, and forgiveness. The main characters are kids and there are some instances of "bullying" type situations, but they always turn it positive. There are great teachable moments and examples of people working together. I hope the next season stays family-friendly!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
desireedora
desireedora Parent of 6 and 7-year-old
July 29, 2022
age 10+

Very cute

There actually was a kiss in the beginning, between two kids on the bus

This title has:

Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE LAST BUS centers around a mismatched assortment of school kids who band together to survive a robot apocalypse and set out to save the world. The series opens as a group of high school students travel to the launch event for a new class of robot designed to clear up the environment. Excited about the prospects of new tech and not realizing what's about to happen, 12-year-old child prodigy Nas (Moosa Mostafa) unknowingly declares that "after today's trip the world may never be the same again." At the launch event, tech billionaire Dalton Monkhouse (Robert Sheehan) introduces AI-powered genie orbs (drones), and everyone gets vaporized by his laser-shooting and highly intelligent drones, except for an unsuspecting group of kids who manage to escape the carnage and make their way back to their rackety old school bus. And here's where the true mayhem begins: Heading home in search of answers, they're met by a mysteriously empty world. Their families gone, and realizing they're the sole survivors of a robot apocalypse that has decimated humanity, the whip-smart kids band together to fight for survival. They venture off to find answers (and their families) as they battle the new machine intelligence that has taken over the world as we know it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (5):

This series plays out as a thought-provoking, visually appealing eco-fable with strong messages about the ways in which a younger generation must make different choices from the generation which preceded it. A great plot and strong performances from the kid cast make The Last Bus shamelessly enjoyable to watch. Fears of the world coming to an end are countered by the warmth of true friendships. While parents and kids alike may enjoy laughing through the mishaps the kid-centered cast encounters, some action-paced scenes will be too scary for younger viewers. There are plenty of laughable moments but also instances of intense peril as the kid protagonists band together to ultimately survive. Kids will catch on to the show's cautionary reminder to take care of our environment, and viewers may walk away from this binge-worthy series with a new understanding of the consequences we may face when we rely too heavily on tech. The open-ended conclusion will leave viewers at the edge of their seats awaiting season two.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the use of technology in The Last Bus. How can technology bring value to our lives? How can technology harm us?

  • Take this opportunity to talk to kids about what it means to be a good citizen, including what it means to be a good digital citizen. How can we all contribute to building a better world? What personal changes would you consider making to help our planet? What about a digital world? How could we build a safer digital space?

  • How do the characters demonstrate curiosity, courage, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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