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Horror audiences ran, Rage Virus-style, to the theaters this past weekend to see Danny Boyle's long-awaited zombie sequel, 28 Years Later. But the result wasn't spreading infection or fountains of blood (although I don't know how everyone reacted at seeing an $8.50 soda), it was only an impressive box office haul. Specifically, that haul was $60M, a number which spells studio anticipation for the 2026 sequel, The Bone Temple, and hopefully gets Sony to finally fund the planned third film in the 28 Years trilogy.

Let's back up - first of all, that $60M wasn't just a guess on our part (every horror movie would be making that if I was doing the estimates), it came from the good folks at Variety, in an article published June 22. As Variety helpfully points out, this take means 28 Years Later is poised to become the most financially successful of the zombie franchise, only having to cross the $75M milestone set by the first film, 28 Days Later. But enough about the past - what does the movies viral success (heh) mean for its future?

Well, the future of the story began in 28 Years Later is already secured, at least in part. In 2026, original writer Alex Garland and Candyman director Nia DaCosta are teaming up for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the direct sequel to the heart-driven horror film. However, what is still up in the air is whether or not Boyle and Garland's planned third film in the story (which would technically be the fourth zombie film they've done together and the fifth film in the franchise - numbers are hard) would secure funding from Sony to make it into theaters.

Earlier this month, Variety reported that megastar Cillian Murphy (who starred in 28 Days Later) would be reprising his role in a brief sequence for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. In the same report, Variety quoted Danny Boyle as saying that he hoped the Oppenheimer star's casting meant that funding for the 28 Years threequel would be assured.

As of this writing, that funding is still locked up in the proverbial Sony lab, awaiting some catalyst to unleash it out into the world. And let's be honest - if both a $60M opening weekend and casting one of the hottest actors working today doesn't get the virus spreading, then it's hard to know what will.

28 Years Later is in theaters now. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple heads to theaters January 16, 2026.

In the immortal words of Danny Elfman, "Life's no fun without a good scare." We couldn't agree more, which is why we've cobbled together a couple pieces to send a chill up your spine. Join Popverse as we explore:

• The best horror movies of all time, according to horror aficionado Greg Silber
• The most underrated horror movies from the past couple years
• All the new and upcoming horror movies for 2025 and beyond

And much gore. Er, more. Much more.