Cillian Murphy, widely recognized for his role as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, originally gained fame through the horror franchise 28 Days Later. Nearly 24 years after the first film, Murphy returned for the latest addition, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which debuted strongly on digital platforms despite underperforming in theaters.
The 28 Days Later franchise, known for its zombie horror theme, now includes four films. Murphy did not appear in the second or third installments but reprised his role as Jim in The Bone Temple, released six months after the 2025 revival film, 28 Years Later. Although The Bone Temple struggled at the box office, it reached the third spot on the Apple TV store’s chart, according to FlixPatrol.
Unusually, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple became available on digital rental and purchase starting February 17, less than a month after its theatrical release on January 16. This early shift to PVOD came as a result of the film’s disappointing theatrical earnings, prompting Sony Pictures to fast-track its availability on streaming services.
Box Office Performance and Critical Reception of The Bone Temple
The 28 Days Later franchise has collectively earned $362.9 million worldwide on a budget of $146 million. Previous entries found commercial success, but The Bone Temple marked the first notable underperformance despite receiving the franchise’s highest ratings so far.
The Bone Temple continues the narrative from 28 Years Later (2025), which saw the return of original director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—who also collaborated on the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later. For The Bone Temple, Nia DaCosta took over directing duties with Garland still writing the screenplay; both films were produced back-to-back.
Financially, The Bone Temple brought in $56.9 million globally against a $63 million budget, considerably lower than the $151.2 million grossed by its predecessor with a similar budget. Despite this, the film earned a 92% approval rating from critics and 88% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, both badges labeled Certified Fresh and Verified Hot.
Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim was a notable element, especially since his character’s survival was confirmed along with the introduction of a daughter, a surprising twist. However, Murphy’s screen time was limited, suggesting his role remains secondary within the overall storyline.
Future Prospects for the 28 Days Later Series
Originally, 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple were set up as parts of a planned trilogy, all scripted by Alex Garland. Although the first two films were shot consecutively, there has been no confirmation on the director for the anticipated third part, and the underwhelming box office results raise doubts about the franchise’s direction.
A recent report from World of Reel indicates that Sony is currently in no rush to move forward with the trilogy’s conclusion, despite its official announcement. The franchise’s future remains uncertain, though strong digital sales and viewer interest on VOD platforms could influence the decision to proceed sooner than expected.
Currently, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is accessible for rent or purchase across all major digital platforms. While a streaming premiere date has not been confirmed, the film is scheduled to debut on Peacock, which may extend its audience reach beyond the initial PVOD window.
Main Cast Highlights of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
The film features Alfie Williams as Spike and Jack O’Connell playing Jimmy Crystal, who are central to the new installment’s storyline and continue to shape the evolving narrative within the zombie franchise. Their performances contribute to the tension and urgency that characterize the series.
