In a year already stacked with box office hits and streaming sensations in the horror genre, one familiar franchise has clawed its way back into the limelight. The 28 Days Later series, a cornerstone of British post-apocalyptic storytelling, has returned with a vengeance in 2025, captivating both longtime fans and newcomers with its latest entry, 28 Years Later. Following the journey of survivors decades after the original Rage Virus outbreak, the film has not only revived interest in the franchise but has also set the stage for an ambitious new trilogy that promises to redefine modern horror.
First unleashed on audiences in 2002, 28 Days Later—directed by Danny Boyle and penned by Alex Garland—breathed new life into a genre that, at the time, seemed as lifeless as its shambling antagonists. The film’s depiction of a deserted London, with protagonist Jim wandering through eerily empty landmarks, remains one of the most haunting scenes in horror cinema. According to ScreenRant, "That’s why the sight of Jim strolling through iconic landmarks like Westminster Bridge without any people in sight is so unsettling." The film’s unique British sensibility and its gritty, kinetic style set it apart from its contemporaries, while its cast—featuring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, and Brendan Gleeson—brought a grounded humanity to the chaos.
The franchise’s second installment, 28 Weeks Later (2007), took the story in a new direction under director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. While Boyle and Garland stepped back, the sequel still delivered pulse-pounding horror, highlighted by the opening chase scene where Robert Carlyle’s character is forced to make a gut-wrenching decision as the infected breach a safehouse. Critics, as noted by ScreenRant, have consistently praised this sequence for capturing "what is so horrifying about the Rage-infected; no matter how hard a victim flees, they will never cease the chase." Despite some critiques about emotional distance from the characters, the film’s relentless pace and intense setpieces earned it a solid 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its place as a worthy continuation of the saga.
After nearly two decades, the franchise roared back in 2025 with 28 Years Later, once again helmed by Danny Boyle. This third entry not only reassembled a star-studded cast—including Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Alfie Williams—but also introduced a new threat: the Alphas. These evolved infected are bigger, stronger, and more terrifying than anything seen before, capable of gruesome feats that push survivors to their limits. The film’s most harrowing sequence, the Alpha causeway chase, sees a father and son duo fleeing across a flooding causeway under a breathtaking night sky—a moment that is as visually stunning as it is nerve-wracking. As ScreenRant recounts, "Boyle elongates the suspense as long as possible... but no matter how amazing the sky looks, the sheer terror of this unstoppable brute chasing the fleeing father and son is never lost."
Set decades after the initial outbreak, 28 Years Later shifts the action to a small island community, where survivors have carved out a fragile peace. This tranquility is shattered when one resident ventures back to the mainland, reigniting the threat of infection and forcing a new generation to confront the horrors their predecessors faced. The film deftly balances callbacks to its roots with bold new storytelling, a feat that has not gone unnoticed by critics or audiences. It currently boasts an 88% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and received a 7 out of 10-star review from ScreenRant’s Mary Kassel, who praised its ability to "deliver on the horror and setpieces whilst being consistently surprising and subversive."
Perhaps even more impressive than its critical reception has been its commercial performance—especially in the streaming arena. Released on Netflix on September 20, 2025, 28 Years Later shot up to the number two spot on the platform’s top 10 movies in the United States within just four days, trailing only behind the viral sensation KPop Demon Hunters. As reported by skjbollywoodnews.com, "This helps accentuate how much of a hit this movie has been." The film’s rapid ascent on Netflix, alongside box office successes like Sinners and The Conjuring: Last Rites, underscores a banner year for horror and signals strong ongoing interest in the franchise.
The renewed enthusiasm for the series couldn’t have come at a better time. With 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple already slated for a January 16, 2026 release, the franchise’s momentum shows no sign of slowing. The upcoming installment, directed by Nia DaCosta, is expected to pick up directly from the events of its predecessor, plunging audiences deeper into the nightmare world shaped by the Rage Virus. If the streaming and critical success of 28 Years Later is any indication, anticipation for The Bone Temple will only intensify as its release date approaches.
Looking back, it’s remarkable how a film that began as a modest, uniquely British take on the zombie apocalypse has grown into a global phenomenon. The franchise’s ability to continually reinvent itself—whether through groundbreaking visuals, fresh narrative twists, or an ever-evolving cast of characters—has kept it relevant in a genre crowded with imitators. As ScreenRant notes, each film "feels very different from one another, whilst also feeling part of the same universe." This delicate balancing act has allowed the series to maintain its identity while still surprising and terrifying audiences with each new chapter.
It’s also worth noting the franchise’s influence on the broader horror landscape. The empty cityscapes of 28 Days Later have inspired countless imitators, from I Am Legend to a host of indie productions. Its focus on fast-moving, rage-fueled infected—rather than traditional zombies—helped redefine what audiences expect from apocalyptic storytelling. The series’ willingness to tackle moral ambiguity, societal collapse, and the resilience of the human spirit has given it a depth that resonates far beyond mere jump scares and gore.
As 2025 draws to a close, one thing is clear: the 28 Days Later franchise is not only alive and well, but thriving. With 28 Years Later dominating streaming charts and The Bone Temple on the horizon, the saga of survival in a world overrun by rage continues to captivate, horrify, and—against all odds—inspire. For fans old and new, the wait for the next chapter is sure to feel longer than ever.
