The 28 Years Later sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is new in theaters, but will the 28 Years Later story continue with another film?
The sprawling rage virus horror film series dates back to director Danny Boyle’s 2002 hit 28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. The film spawned the 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later, which is directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and stars Jeremy Renner, Robert Carlyle and Rose Byrne.
Finally, in 2025, the 28 rage virus franchise got a reboot with Boyle at the helm with 28 Years Later, starring Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Alfie Williams.
Note: The rest of this story includes spoiler details from “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.”
Directed by Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opens in theaters on Friday. The film is a continuation of the story of 28 Years Later, as Spike (Williams) seeks a way to escape the vicious Satanic cult led by Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), who saved his life of the pre-teen at the end of the 2025 film.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Fiennes), who learned of a way to fend off zombified rage virus infectants in 28 Years Later, is back in The Bone Temple and is hoping to take his research further.
Throughout 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Kelson coaxes the hulking alpha zombie, Samon (Chi Lewis-Parry), into his “bone temple,” which is made up of various monuments constructed with bones as a way to honor the dead.
To protect himself, Kelson shoots Samson with morphine darts, only to discover that the effect the powerful opioid has on the menacing zombie appears to reverse the effects of the rage virus — signaling a possible cure.
The Final Scene In ’28 Years: The Bone Temple’ Sets Up A Third ‘28 Years Later’ Film, Which Is In The Works
While 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple doesn’t have an end credits or after-credits scene to tease the possibility of a sequel, the film sets up a third 28 Years Film in the final scene of the movie.
During a brutal confrontation in The Bone Temple between Jimmy Crystal and Kelson, two of Jimmy’s cult members, Spike and Kelly (Erin Kellyman), are the only members of Jimmy’s cult to survive and flee the scene.
The scene then cuts to a peaceful country setting with a house, farmhouse and other buildings surrounded by barriers to prevent the zombies infected with the rage virus from getting in. Inside the house is a young girl who is being homeschooled by her father, Jim (Cillian Murphy, who is reprising his role from 28 Days Later).
When Jim’s daughter hears screaming in the distance, she and her father arm themselves and go outside to see who is causing the commotion. It’s Spike and Kelly, trying to outrun the infected. As Spike and Kelly crawl over a wall barrier, Jim’s daughter asks her father if they should help them.
After a moment of hesitation, Jim and his daughter run toward Spike and Kelly, weapons in hand, to save the duo from the infected and thus, set up a third 28 Years Later film.
Even though the third 28 Years Later film hasn’t been officially announced by the franchise’s studio, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Deadline reported on Dec. 10, 2025, that SPE is moving forward with another sequel. According to Deadline, Murphy — who served as an executive producer on 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — is in talks with SPE to join the sequel, which has yet to receive a title.
In addition, Alex Garland, the screenwriter who penned the original 28 Days Later film, as well as 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is currently writing the script, Deadline reported. Also, Danny Boyle, who directed 28 Years Later and is a producer on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, “has previously stated he will direct the third, should it get made,” The Hollywood Reporter reported on Dec. 10.
According to SPE, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple earned $2.1 million in Thursday previews from 2,900 North American theaters. The film is projected to make $20 million to $22 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend, Variety reported.
The film is already a big winner on Rotten Tomatoes, as it has earned a 93% “fresh” critics’ score based on 206 reviews. In addition, 28 Weeks Later: The Bone Temple has earned a 91% “fresh” score on RT’s Popcornmeter, based on 100-plus verified user ratings.
Rated R, 28 Years Later is now playing in theaters nationwide.
