Sony Pictures has ignited the horror movie scene of 2025 with the release of advance tickets for 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated sequel in the iconic zombie franchise. In just 24 hours since tickets went on sale on June 3, 2025, the film has set a new record as the best horror ticket pre-seller of the year, surpassing advance sales for titles like Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, as well as 2024’s Nosferatu and Alien: Romulus. This impressive feat includes sales across major platforms such as Fandango and all other exhibitors.
The excitement surrounding 28 Years Later was further fueled by its first trailer, which amassed a staggering 60.2 million global views within the first 24 hours, making it the biggest horror trailer launch of 2024. To put that into perspective, it outpaced other major horror releases like A Quiet Place: Day One (46.6 million views), Smile 2 (33.1 million views), and Nosferatu (26.4 million views). The trailer’s eerie atmosphere, enhanced by the haunting recitation of Rudyard Kipling’s poem "Boots," captivated audiences worldwide and earned top honors at the Golden Trailer Awards, including best of show, most original trailer, and the Don LaFontaine Award for best voice over.
Written by Academy Award-nominated Alex Garland and directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later marks a triumphant return to the franchise that began with the 2002 cult classic 28 Days Later. The original film introduced audiences to Jim, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, a bike courier who awakens from a coma to find London deserted and overrun by a terrifying rage virus unleashed from a biological weapons laboratory. The sequel’s narrative jumps nearly three decades ahead, exploring a world still grappling with the aftermath of the outbreak.
In this new chapter, survivors have carved out a precarious existence on a small island connected to the mainland by a heavily fortified causeway. When one member embarks on a perilous mission into the mainland’s dark heart, they uncover chilling secrets and horrifying mutations—not only among the infected but also within other survivors. This evolution of the virus and its victims was a deliberate creative choice by Boyle, who told fans, "There have been evolutions [of the infected] because we didn’t want to just stand still with them. There has been kind of mutations that have developed, if you like." He also teased the introduction of a new, slow-moving but equally dangerous variant of the rage-zombies that fans will find both familiar and fresh.
The film boasts a star-studded cast alongside Murphy, including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes. Murphy not only reprises his iconic role but also serves as an executive producer, signaling his deep involvement in the trilogy’s creative direction. The production is backed by producers Andrew Macdonald, former Searchlight Pictures chief Peter Rice, Bernard Bellow, Boyle, and Garland, with a budget estimated around $75 million, reflecting the studio’s confidence in the project’s potential.
Interestingly, while Murphy’s return to the franchise is confirmed, director Danny Boyle has kept many plot details under wraps to preserve the film’s suspense. Speaking at a preview event, Boyle emphasized, "It doesn’t go where you think it’s going to go. That’s really important, and that was really important for us as filmmakers... What Alex and I were determined to do was to try and surprise people." He also hinted at the military’s role in the story, assuring audiences that, contrary to expectations, they do not weaponize the virus in this installment.
Adding layers to the marketing intrigue, the second trailer for 28 Years Later includes a hidden message encoded using a Pigpen Cipher. Decoding the symbols reveals the Latin phrase "memento mori," meaning "remember (that you have) to die." This phrase serves as a password to a mysterious website, rageleaks.net, which offers cryptic hints about the film’s plot and themes, including messages about secrecy, survival, and the ongoing impact of the rage virus nearly 28 years after the outbreak.
Fans are also eager to see the roles of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Jamie, Jodie Comer’s Isla, their son Spike, Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson, and Jack O’Connell’s Jimmy, who may emerge as a primary antagonist. The film is set to open in theaters on June 20, 2025, with Sony eyeing an opening weekend gross exceeding $34 million, a testament to the franchise’s enduring popularity and the effective buildup of anticipation.
Adding to the excitement, the original films 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later are currently available for free streaming, allowing new and returning fans to revisit the chilling origins of the rage virus. 28 Days Later streams on PlutoTV, while 28 Weeks Later is accessible on Tubi and Hulu. The first film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $84 million worldwide against a modest $8 million budget, and helped redefine the zombie genre with its intense storytelling and innovative approach.
Looking ahead, the trilogy continues with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, already filmed and scheduled for release on January 16, 2026. While Boyle has passed directing duties for the second film to Nia DaCosta, he remains deeply involved and plans to direct the trilogy’s final installment. Notably, Boyle revealed that Cillian Murphy would appear near the end of The Bone Temple, a detail that has stirred both excitement and some disappointment among fans who wished this surprise had been kept under wraps.
Boyle expressed hope that Murphy’s appearance in the second film will help secure financing for the trilogy’s conclusion, underscoring the importance of Murphy’s character to the overarching narrative. Fans eagerly await the full trilogy to see how Jim’s story concludes and how the franchise’s dark, evolving world unfolds.
With its record-breaking presales, innovative marketing, and a creative team determined to subvert expectations, 28 Years Later is poised to reignite the horror genre and satisfy legions of fans worldwide. As the release date approaches, the blend of mystery, suspense, and evolution within the rage virus mythology promises a thrilling cinematic experience that honors its roots while boldly venturing into new territory.
