The 28 Days Later franchise confirmed loads of promise again within the 2000s, and with the sequence present process a resurgence final yr, it has solely gotten higher. Regardless of working on an estimated $8 million funds, 28 Days Later turned a shock hit in 2002, making an enormous splash on the field workplace and incomes a cult following.
Some would argue it’s the greatest zombie film ever made, because it utterly redefined the style, seemingly inspiring large tasks resembling The Strolling Lifeless. Its 2007 follow-up did not make fairly the identical degree of affect, but it surely was nonetheless a monetary success, suggesting the post-apocalyptic sequence was simply getting began, therefore why its close to two-decade absence felt so peculiar.
Fortuitously, the franchise lastly returned in 2025, and whereas 28 Years Later had audiences and critics divided, the atmospheric movie introduced this horror IP again into the mainstream. Since then, issues have continued to lookup, and the current streaming success signifies that the long run is vivid for this horror juggernaut, regardless of dealing with one minor setback.
28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later & 28 Years Later Are All Streaming Hits On HBO Max
Whereas 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has simply had its digital launch, it is the opposite three films which might be thriving on streaming platforms, as 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and 28 Years Later are presently trending worldwide on HBO Max. All three movies occupy an area within the platform’s high 10 films globally, highlighting the franchise’s wholesome standing.
It wasn’t too way back that 28 Days Later was nearly not possible to look at, because it was unavailable on streaming platforms till 2025, and even the bodily copies had been laborious to come up with. Consequently, seeing it transition right into a streaming big alongside its sequels is nothing wanting outstanding, however this success is well-earned.
28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and 28 Years Later are presently not out there to stream on HBO Max within the US. Nonetheless, 28 Years Later is streaming on Netflix, 28 Weeks Later is offered on Hulu/ Disney+, whereas 28 Days Later will be bought on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango.
Though 28 Years Later‘s ending left viewers cut up, it was nonetheless an excellent film general, whereas 28 Days Later is a real basic. 28 Weeks Later could also be a bit of extra generic, coming throughout as a stereotypical motion film that includes zombies, but it surely nonetheless had moments to admire alongside the most effective film openings of all time.
Contemplating the franchise lay dormant for nearly twenty years, this turnaround is especially spectacular, and after The Bone Temple‘s reception, it is honest to say this four-part sequence is formally a staple of the trendy horror scene.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Has Accomplished The Horror Franchise’s Revival
After 28 Years Later breathed new life into the franchise, its direct follow-up continued this momentum and utterly revived the sequence by changing into the highest-rated entry but, in keeping with Rotten Tomatoes. Embracing the bizarre parts of its predecessor, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple excels in exploring the psychological and human parts of the apocalypse that many rivals ignore.
It’s intense, emotional, and thought-provoking whereas sustaining the thrilling parts you’d anticipate from a zombie story. Even the contaminated themselves do not simply really feel like senseless, flesh-eating killers and are as a substitute explored on a deeper degree, making this a one-of-a-kind outing that retains on increasing the lore from the legendary films that got here earlier than it.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple‘s music additionally provides to the general themes and tone of the movie, cementing it as the entire bundle. All these strengths had been highlighted by the glowing opinions that show the franchise continues to be getting higher, a development that might proceed for years to return, assuming extra tasks are on the best way.
On condition that the fictional universe began with a comparatively area of interest and impressive movie that turned a cult basic, seeing how a lot 28 Days Later has advanced with every iteration is actually a sight to behold, and this current resurgence has been nothing wanting distinctive.
28 Years Later Has To End Its Trilogy Plans Regardless of Field Workplace Issues
Regardless of there being such an enormous hole between 28 Weeks Later and 28 Years Later, the creators had been clearly assured within the franchise, as they introduced plans for a brand new trilogy. Consequently, 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple had been filmed back-to-back, therefore the 2 tasks popping out lower than a yr aside.
Nonetheless, there’s some uncertainty about whether or not this third movie will really come out, as 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple‘s disappointing field workplace might end in an unfinished story. Regardless of the 2025 return doing extraordinarily properly internationally, the sequel did not make again its funds, which can understandably give Sony Photos chilly toes about green-lighting one other film.
Whereas this concern is pure, the studio should not be postpone by these numbers, as there are a number of causes for this thriller underperforming financially. Firstly, the same title did not assist set up The Bone Temple as one thing completely different, and popping out so quickly after its predecessor appeared to trigger some confusion about whether or not it was really a brand new launch.
|
28 Days Later Films |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating (Critics) |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating (Viewers) |
|---|---|---|
|
28 Days Later (2002) |
87% |
85% |
|
28 Weeks Later (2007) |
73% |
66% |
|
28 Years Later (2025) |
88% |
63% |
|
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) |
92% |
88% |
Moreover, January is traditionally not an excellent month for the field workplace, and with poor climate doubtlessly stopping viewers from going to the cinema, the timing might have simply been off. Nonetheless, The Bone Temple gave the sequence quite a lot of momentum from a story perspective, and Cillian Murphy’s return may also be large for advertising.
Subsequently, it could be an actual disgrace to not full these trilogy plans, as ready a number of years for the following outing and doubtlessly premiering it in the summertime might do a world of excellent, and with the 28 Days Later franchise on red-hot type, this one setback should not get in the best way of finishing this breathtaking story.
- Solid
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Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Imogen Poots, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell
- Film(s)
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28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, 28 Years Later