After more than two decades of nail-biting suspense, viral outbreaks, and unforgettable cinematic moments, the 28 Days Later franchise is roaring back to life with a new chapter that’s already sending shockwaves through the horror community. The highly anticipated sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is set to hit Irish cinemas on January 16, 2026, promising both a nostalgic return and bold new directions for the beloved apocalyptic saga.
According to Classic Hits, fans can rejoice as Cillian Murphy is officially returning to reprise his iconic role as Jim, the bicycle courier who awoke from a coma to a world overrun by the infected in the 2002 original. While Murphy’s appearance in the new film’s trailer is conspicuously absent, speculation is running wild about how his character will re-enter the story. The details of Jim’s return remain tightly under wraps, adding a layer of intrigue that’s fueling fan theories across social media.
But The Bone Temple isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a direct sequel to 28 Years Later, which hit theaters earlier in 2025 and quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about horror releases. As CinemaBlend raved in their glowing review, the film delivered “one of the most unforgettable movie experiences of the year, but probably this decade.” The creative forces behind the franchise are mixing things up this time around: Nia DaCosta steps into the director’s chair, while Danny Boyle, who helmed the original, takes on a producing role. The script continues to be shaped by Alex Garland, ensuring the series’ signature blend of psychological tension and visceral thrills remains intact.
Returning alongside Murphy are Jack O’Connell as the unhinged Sir Jimmy Crystal, Alfie Williams as Spike, and the ever-magnetic Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson. The trailer for The Bone Temple puts the spotlight squarely on these characters, with the story promising to dive deeper into Crystal’s twisted cult and unravel the dark backstory of Dr. Kelson. According to the official synopsis, the film will once again follow a messenger on a bicycle who awakens from a coma, only to discover a world devastated by a zombie virus outbreak. It’s a premise that echoes the original film’s haunting opening, but with new layers of mystery and menace.
Filming for The Bone Temple was completed back-to-back with 28 Years Later, a move that’s allowed the creative team to maintain narrative continuity and capitalize on the franchise’s renewed momentum. As Classic Hits reports, this production strategy also means fans won’t have to endure another lengthy wait between installments—a relief for anyone who remembers the agonizing 20-year gap between the first two films.
Murphy’s involvement in the franchise’s revival has been a major talking point in recent interviews. On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Murphy teased his future with the series, saying, “Listen, if everyone goes and sees the second one, we’re in good shape.” While his role in 28 Years Later was reportedly brief, reports from Classic Hits and other outlets suggest that the third planned movie will feature him far more prominently. In addition to his on-screen return, Murphy is serving as an executive producer for 28 Years Later, signaling his deepening investment in the franchise’s creative direction.
Reflecting on his career and approach to new projects, Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m probably less inclined to work all of the time now. This year I won’t have done any acting whatsoever. I’m more willing to be patient and wait for the right thing.” He continued, “For me, the scale and the budget is always secondary to the story. But when I make a connection with someone and it makes it into the work, that becomes trust, which becomes shorthand. And that’s where the rich work comes from.” These comments underscore the thoughtful, story-driven ethos that has defined Murphy’s collaborations with directors like Christopher Nolan and, now, the team behind the 28 franchise.
Meanwhile, the excitement around 28 Years Later hasn’t faded since its theatrical release. As CinemaBlend notes, the film is about to make its streaming debut on Netflix on September 20, 2025. For many, this is a chance to revisit (or finally catch) what’s widely considered one of the best horror films of the year. The movie’s standout moments, such as the adrenaline-pumping causeway chase scene with Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Spike (Alfie Williams), have already cemented its place in the genre’s pantheon. The reviewer from CinemaBlend confessed, “I can’t wait to experience that again, but I also can’t wait to go back and watch multiple times and focus on each of the characters to take it all into perspective.”
Viewers are also eager to revisit the film’s opening and closing scenes, which bookend the narrative with chaos and character-driven drama. The dual portrayal of Jimmy—by Rocco Haynes as the younger version and Jack O’Connell as the older, increasingly deranged leader—offers a masterclass in character evolution. The reviewer admitted, “I can’t wait to go back and compare the two scenes featuring Jimmy... and see if there are any clues to how he ended up being so unhinged.”
With The Bone Temple just months away, fans are hungry for answers to the franchise’s lingering mysteries. What’s next for Spike now that he’s entangled with Sir Jimmy Crystal’s cult? What revelations await regarding Dr. Kelson’s shadowy past? And, perhaps most tantalizingly, how will Jim’s return reshape the world of the infected? The explosive trailer hints at high stakes, new alliances, and the kind of visceral horror that has defined the series since its inception.
For those eager to catch up before the next chapter, the imminent Netflix release of 28 Years Later offers the perfect opportunity. As the reviewer from CinemaBlend puts it, “With only a few days before 28 Years Later joins the list of great horror movies streaming on Netflix, it won’t be long before I’m back in England going on a daring and deadly adventure with several of the most interesting characters of the year.”
With Cillian Murphy’s return, a fresh creative team, and a storyline that promises to delve deeper into the franchise’s darkest corners, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is shaping up to be a must-see event for horror fans and newcomers alike. The countdown to January 16, 2026, has begun—and if the past is any indication, audiences are in for a wild, unforgettable ride.
