Tejal Somvanshi
The Magic School Bus turns 40 in 2026. Parents want to know two things: is the live-action movie coming, and can the kids see a show this winter? The film has no release date. The live musical does.
Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen launched the book series with Scholastic in 1986. More than 90 million copies have sold. Universal’s rights to a live-action film lapsed, and Legendary Entertainment, working with Scholastic, took over the project in June 2026. Rob Letterman is set to write and direct. Elizabeth Banks is attached to produce and star as Ms. Valerie Frizzle. Plot details have not been confirmed.
The stage show is further along. TheatreWorksUSA is touring a musical called The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System across the country in 2026–2027. It plays Philadelphia‘s Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Dec. 4 and 5. Connor Gallagher directed and choreographed the production.
The series is known for teaching science through classroom field trips. The class travels in a yellow school bus that magically turns into everything from a plane to a submarine to a spaceship, so they can explore places like outer space and the human body. Each theater handles its own tickets, so the Philadelphia box office is the place to check seats for the December dates.
If you are planning around the holidays, book the stage show and don’t wait for the movie. Check the tour page for your city, since stops differ by city.
Fans of the animated series may also remember Fiona Frizzle, Valerie’s younger sister, who teaches the class in the Netflix revival.
Is the live-action Magic School Bus movie with Elizabeth Banks still happening? Yes, it is in development, with Banks attached to produce and star and Letterman set to write and direct. Legendary and Scholastic are producing it, and no release date has been announced.
The book series has been in print since 1986.
