In a year that has already seen horror films dominate both the box office and critical conversations, the latest installment in the acclaimed British horror franchise, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is poised to make an even bigger splash. The film, which officially opens in North American theaters over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, has quickly become the talk of the genre, earning widespread praise and impressive early numbers that suggest the franchise is reaching new heights.
According to ComicBook.com, 2025 marked a banner year for horror, with standout titles like Sinners and Weapons not only performing well at the box office but also receiving critical accolades. While those films have made their mark—Amy Madigan, for instance, is generating Best Supporting Actress buzz for her role in Weapons—it’s the legacy sequel, 28 Years Later, and its follow-up, The Bone Temple, that have truly captured the imagination of genre fans and critics alike.
Premiering in the summer of 2025, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple immediately garnered rave reviews. As of January 14, 2026, the film holds a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a remarkable 91% critics score based on 82 reviews—the highest in the franchise’s history. For context, previous entries received 87% (28 Days Later), 73% (28 Weeks Later), and 89% (28 Years Later). This leap in approval isn’t just a number; it reflects a broader consensus that the new film is a high point for the series.
The creative team behind The Bone Temple played a significant role in this achievement. Nia DaCosta, stepping in as director, brings a fresh vision while collaborating with long-time series writer Alex Garland. Danny Boyle, who directed previous entries, remains a guiding force as producer. This combination, as ComicBook.com notes, has led to some critics calling The Bone Temple “the franchise’s best installment yet.” The film is praised for expanding on the established lore while also standing strong as a standalone story, a rare feat in long-running horror series.
Central to the film’s success are its performances. Ralph Fiennes, cast as Dr. Ian Kelson, has been singled out for his ability to blend tragedy and comedy, offering what some reviewers describe as one of his most compelling roles to date. Jack O’Connell, fresh from his villainous turn in Sinners, delivers a chilling performance as a sadistic cult leader, further cementing his reputation as a go-to horror antagonist. The emotional depth and narrative complexity of the film have also been widely lauded, with many reviewers highlighting its “thoughtful, emotional narrative core.”
But it’s not just critics who are excited. The film’s box office prospects are equally strong. As reported by Deadline, The Bone Temple is projected to open with over $20 million during the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend at approximately 3,400 North American sites. This would unseat Avatar: Fire and Ash from the top spot, which is expected to earn $18-$19 million over the same period. Previews for The Bone Temple began at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in 2,900 theaters, signaling robust early interest.
The production cost for The Bone Temple was $63 million net, slightly higher than the $60 million for its predecessor. The previous film, 28 Years Later, opened with $30 million domestically and ultimately grossed $70.4 million in the U.S. and $151.3 million worldwide. With the franchise now nearing $300 million in global box office receipts across its three films, Sony’s decision to greenlight a third installment in December 2025 seems more than justified.
Internationally, the film’s release is equally ambitious. The Bone Temple opens on January 14, 2026, in the UK, France, Belgium, and Indonesia, followed by rollouts in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia on January 15, and then Japan, Poland, and Spain on January 16. This near-global launch ensures that the franchise’s momentum isn’t limited to English-speaking markets but resonates worldwide.
Early fan screenings, held on December 9, 2025, in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, and Berlin, generated significant buzz, with enthusiastic reactions on social media and in the press. These events, according to Deadline, were part of Sony’s strategy to build anticipation and gauge audience response ahead of the wide release.
Beyond the numbers and accolades, the film’s story continues the franchise’s tradition of exploring more than just the horrors of infection. Set immediately after the events of 28 Years Later, The Bone Temple follows young Spike as he teams up with Sir Jimmy Crystal’s gang (portrayed by Jack O’Connell) while Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) seeks to quell a new outbreak among the Infected—who, as fans know, are not to be called zombies. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a divided society, reflecting contemporary anxieties and elevating the film above standard genre fare.
The demographic breakdown of the audience, as observed in previous films, shows a strong turnout from men over 25, followed by women over 25, with younger viewers also represented. This broad appeal is a testament to the franchise’s ability to transcend typical horror boundaries and attract a diverse audience.
While a few critics have taken issue with DaCosta’s storytelling approach, these voices are far outnumbered by the positive reviews. As ComicBook.com points out, the first wave of reviews is usually indicative of where the consensus will land, and with Rotten Tomatoes already granting the film its Certified Fresh stamp, significant fluctuations in its score seem unlikely.
Looking ahead, Sony’s confidence in the series appears well placed. The official green light for a third film, with Cillian Murphy reportedly in talks to star and Garland already working on the screenplay, suggests that the creative team is eager to build on the momentum of The Bone Temple. Danny Boyle has even expressed interest in returning to direct, hinting at a possible return to the director’s chair for the next installment.
As horror continues to evolve and capture the cultural zeitgeist, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple stands as a shining example of what the genre can achieve when it combines thoughtful storytelling, top-tier performances, and bold direction. With its record-breaking critical reception and strong box office projections, the film not only honors its legacy but sets a new standard for what’s possible in modern horror cinema.
As the franchise prepares for its next chapter, audiences and critics alike are left eagerly anticipating what horrors—and perhaps, what hope—the future holds for the survivors of this cinematic world.
