Danny Boyle directs 28 Years Later box office hit, with the film drawing in an impressive global sum upon its release this weekend. Arriving two decades after the last installment, the newest chapter in the zombie horror franchise reinvigorated its following and demonstrated major earning power worldwide.
28 Years Later, the latest entry in the cult-favorite zombie horror series, launched with a forceful $60 million in combined U.S. and international earnings—$30 million domestically and $30 million from overseas markets. This strong debut not only exceeded the worldwide total earned by Boyle’s previous legacy sequel T2: Trainspotting, which made just over $40 million in 2017, but also set a new financial benchmark for the trilogy. The production budget for this film is reported at $60 million, making it the most costly of the franchise, and early performance indicates it will soon surpass prior franchise records. For context, the first film, 28 Days Later, grossed about $80 million globally, with its follow-up, 28 Weeks Later, reaching $65 million. Despite varied results at the ticket window, critics have consistently praised these films, with Boyle’s original now regarded as a classic in its genre.
New Cast and Fresh Storylines Continue the Franchise
This new installment moves the timeline forward 28 years from the original outbreak and introduces audiences to a different cast, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes. Critical response has been very positive, with the movie sitting at an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though the reception from viewers has proven more divided. Audiences assigned it a B grade on CinemaScore and only 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Emma Kiely referred to 28 Years Later as the director’s strongest work since Trainspotting.
Upcoming Direct Sequel Already in Production
Danny Boyle, who has not helmed a feature film since 2019’s Yesterday, clearly aimed for a hit with this project. Yesterday, despite surpassing $150 million at the box office, was labeled a flop by industry standards. Meanwhile, Alex Garland, who wrote 28 Years Later, recently saw success with Civil War and co-directed Warfare, which together earned nearly $150 million. The foundations for a continuing story have now been established: a direct sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, already has Nia DaCosta set to direct and is slated for a January premiere.
The franchise’s latest resurgence with Boyle and Garland at the helm, as well as the announced sequel, signals a new era for zombie cinema and could further solidify the series’ cultural legacy, especially given the strong ensemble cast that includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. The commercial success of 28 Years Later is also likely to influence future franchise projects and demonstrates Hollywood’s ongoing appetite for compelling horror stories with fresh creative vision.
