For the first time in its 34-year history, The Magic School Bus is getting a feature film — and Elizabeth Banks will star as the iconic teacher Ms. Frizzle!
For the first time in its 34-year history, The Magic School Bus is getting a feature film — and Elizabeth Banks will star as the beloved Ms. Frizzle! Banks, who is also producing the film with her company Brownstone Productions, is best known for roles in The Hunger Games franchise and in Pitch Perfect. Now, she's excited to be stepping into the famous school bus to teach a new generation of kids about science. "We are delighted to bring to life the iconic Ms. Frizzle and her zest for knowledge and adventure in a fresh new way," says Scholastic Entertainment’s president Iole Lucchese. "[We hope the movie] inspires the next generation of kids to explore science and supports the dedicated teachers who help make science real and accessible for young learners every day."
The Magic School Bus began as a Scholastic book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen in the 1980s, and was adapted into an animated TV series in 1994. The stories focused on Ms. Frizzle, who was voiced by Lily Tomlin in the cartoon, taking her students on a series of fantastical science field trips in her magic bus, which could change into an airplane or submarine, shrink to enter the human body, or travel through time.
The TV series ran for 18 consecutive years in the US and has been broadcast in over 100 countries, and the franchise also released a series of science kits. It earned more than 100 awards, including an Emmy Award, Annenberg Award, and National Education Association Award.
The planned movie will be a live-action/animated hybrid film and represents the first time the series will make the leap to the big screen. Casting is just beginning, and the studio has not yet confirmed a release date. However, both the studios working on the film and Scholastic hope that it will continue to spark an interest in science in kids (and their parents) around the world.
"The Magic School Bus revolutionized kids' television through a unique and powerful blend of entertainment and science information," said Deborah Forte, past president of Scholastic Media. "We're proud that it's become an evergreen show that children and parents continue to watch together."
The Magic School Bus Science Kits, Books, and Costumes
Ms. Frizzle Toddler Costume
Ms. Frizzle Toddler Costume
Young fans of The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle will love this officially licensed costume from Fun Costumes that lets them look just like their favorite character! This 100% polyester dress has blue satin printed with stars, planets, and rockets, and includes a white collar, cuffs, and waist detail. Older kids can check out this Ms. Frizzle child costume for ages 5 to 12, while teens and adults can get this Ms. Frizzle costume dress.
The Magic School Bus - The Complete Series
The Magic School Bus - The Complete Series
Seatbelts, everyone! Hop onto The Magic School Bus with this 6-DVD set that includes the complete series starring everyone's favorite teacher, Ms. Frizzle. This set includes all 52 episodes of the original series, so you can follow along as the class leaps into the human body, goes back into prehistory, and blasts off into space! It's the perfect TV show to spark an interest in science and a sense of curiosity that she'll carry with her her whole life.
The Magic School Bus: Back in Time With the Dinosaurs
The Magic School Bus: Back in Time With the Dinosaurs
Hop on the Magic School Bus and explore the time of the dinosaurs with this fun kit from the Young Scientists Club! As kids follow along with the colorful, detailed manual, they'll simulate a fossil dig, cast and mold fossils and dinosaur teeth, build a dino replica, design a diorama, and create a timeline. The kit includes a wooden dinosaur to assemble and paint, clay for molds, fact sheets, and more — everything except for household items is included! It's sure to keep budding paleontologists happily exploring for hours. For more sets from the Magic School Bus science kit series, check out A Journey Into The Human Body, Jumping Into Electricity, Blasting Off With Erupting Volcanoes, Soaring Into Flight, and more in our Magic School Bus Collection.
Magic School Bus: Chemistry Lab
Magic School Bus: Chemistry Lab
Jump on The Magic School Bus Rides Again with Fiona Felicity Frizzle for a hands-on introduction to the principles of chemistry! This bus-shaped science kit includes instructions for 51 experiments, from plating copper to making slime to measuring pH. Aside from common household items, all the supplies necessary are includes, as well as a pair of goggles — safety first! Plus, it includes a data notebook so your little scientist can record the results of their experiments and what she wants to find out more about.
