It's been an incredible last 12 months for the 28 Days Later film franchise. Fans have seen, not one, but two movies from from the franchise since 28 Years Later premiered in June 2025. Director Nia DaCosta followed up 28 Years Later with another film set in this world, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, in January 2026.
There's no doubt that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the best zombie movie or show of the year so far. It's not even close. Despite viewers and critics alike loving DaCosta's Bone Temple, there is one area the film failed to exceed expectations: the box office.
Unfortunately, according to IGN, The Bone Temple grossed less than $60 million at the worldwide box office, nearly $100 million less than 28 Years Later did at the box office just half a year before.
Now, DaCosta is speaking about the film's critical success and lack thereof at the box office. In an interview with Empire, DaCosta mentioned that the short gap between 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which was only seven months, could have contibuted to the lower than expected box office numbers.
“People were like, ‘Oh yeah, I saw that last summer!’ I’m like, ‘No, no, so there’s a sequel!’”
I'm not going to lie; I was confused about 28 Years Later vs. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. I'm not as tapped into the franchise as I am now, but I remember seeing the trailer for The Bone Temple and thinking it was coming out much later than it did. Even right before it premiered in theaters, it just felt a little bit wrong, like 28 Years Later hadn't even had a chance to hit the streamers and get that word of mouth marketing that happens on, like, Netflix.
The bummer is that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is an absolute revelation. It's an incredible film. Honestly, these two movies are two of my favorites of the last year, and the fact that no one tuned in for Bone Temple is just disappointing and, quite frankly, surprising.
DaCosta also mentioned that the movie tested very well before release in the interview.
“It’s so funny, because literally every barometer we use in the industry to determine whether or not a movie is good, and people like it and want to see it, was through the roof, and yet our box office wasn’t there. I made a great film, and I’m really proud of it, and people liked it.”
For those who don't know, the film stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry. The film follows Spike, played by Williams, from 28 Years Later in his latest adventures on the mainline. The film also takes a bigger interest in Dr. Ian Kelson, played by Fienners, the maker of the Bone Temple.
I don't think I know anyone who watched The Bone Temple who didn't like it. It's a great movie, and I just hope it gets the respect it deserves on a larger scale. Obviously, we can't change the box office numbers, but there are a few things fans of zombie movies can do to help.
The good news is The Bone Temple is now streaming on Netflix. It was released on the streaming service this spring, and it was on the Netflix Top 10 for a short time. According to a report from World of Reel, the movie scored 2.7 milion views on Netflix, which is way less than what a movie of this caliber should do. Even bad movies hit the Netflix Top 10 and stick around for a while.
Hopefully, in time, more fans will discover this great movie with the help of Netflix and get the moment it truly deserves.
If you haven't watch 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, you need to watch this movie. It's so good!
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