Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s28 Years Laterfilm continues to impress the industry and its fanbase, as it has already reached an incredible milestone for the zombie franchise. Even though the long-awaited third installment has only been in cinemas for almost 2 weeks,28 Years Laterhas overtaken28 Weeks Laterand28 Days Laterin sales, putting its stamp firmly in place as one of the best horror films of 2025.
However, to make a movie work, it’s not just about its storyline, and thankfully,28 Years Laterhas been blessed with a star-studded array of the UK’s finest, with actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer and newcomer Alfie Williams, the third installment was already set up to be a success.28 Years Latertells the tragic story of events that transpired after the Rage virus escaped a medical research laboratory, in which a group of survivors tries to make a life for themselves among the terrifying zombies, with one group taking up life on an island in the hopes of maintaining a more “normal” life. However, while heading out on a hunting trip to the mainland, father and son, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Spike (Alfie Williams), are exposed to the horrors that lay in wait for them.28 Years Later’s YouTube trailergained 60.2 million global views in its first 24 hours and later becamethe best horror ticket pre-seller of 2025, so it’s no surprise that the film has now passed a huge box office mark.
28 Years Later Has Grossed $103 Million Globally at the Box Office
According to BoxOfficeReport on X/Twitter, which specializes in box office reporting and predictions,28 Years Laterhas passed the $100 million box office global mark. To be more exact, the film has so far grossed $103 million, which includes $100 million worldwide and $50 million domestically. Since this is only the film’s second week of release, it seems very likely that this figure will continue to climb. Putting Boyle’s recent release numbers into context with his other films in the trilogy,28 Days Laterreached $45 million domestically and $73 million worldwide, and28 Weeks Laterreached $29 million domestically and $72 million globally.
However, for28 Years Laterto make a profit on its reported budget of $60 million, it would need to earn $150 million. Since the zombie franchise started out in 2002, prices have obviously risen, so the budget for28 Years Lateris considerably more than its previous installments. Another reason why the budget is higher now is due to its cast, with people like Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes who wouldn’t come cheaply, as opposed to28 Days Laterwhen Cillian Murphy was still largely unknown. Of course, using 20 iPhone 15’s with expensive lenses would also up the price.
Even though28 Years Latertook a steep drop in its second weekend, falling by 68%, its current milestone is a fantastic indicator that fans aren’t done with the zombie franchise just yet, especially given itsRotten Tomatoes score of 90%. Many fans were divided by the film’s very strange and weird ending, but this should mark a fascinating crossover into Boyle’sThe Bone Temple, which is a sequel to28 Years Laterand slated for release on 18 May 2025.
