‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' Director Reveals True Reason it Flopped

The director of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" has suggested a theory for the film flopping at the box office.

Released Jan. 16, 2026, the sequel to "28 Years Later" made a lowly $58 million worldwide. That’s just over a third of "28 Years Later," which grossed $151 million.

The reason for that, Nia DaCosta said recently, is confusion. Audiences weren’t aware it was a follow-up to director Danny Boyle’s film, which released a mere six months earlier on June 19, 2025.

In an interview with Empire, she said, "People were like, ‘Oh yeah, I saw that last summer!' I'm like, ‘No, no, so there's a sequel!'"

Primarily, that’s a failure of marketing and scheduling. It’s the former’s job to make people aware of the film, and the latter’s job to give sequels breathing room. Otherwise, it results in this: audience confusion.

"It's so funny, because literally every barometer we use in the industry to determine whether or not a movie is good, and people like it and want to see it, was through the roof, and yet our box office wasn't there."

‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' Reviews

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, beating the 88% of "28 Years Later."

"I made a great film," DaCosta continued, "and I'm really proud of it, and people liked it."

The poor box office has complicated chances of a third film, which is potentially now in jeopardy. Sony‘s plan was always to wait and see if a sequel to "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" was viable based on the reception to the previous two movies. Currently, it seems it isn’t.

That’s despite the ending to "The Bone Temple" setting up a sequel. It reintroduces the character of Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, who is holed up in his private homestead during the film’s last scene.

Sony has not made any official confirmation about the third film yet. The last we heard was in December 2025, when Sony said it was moving forward with the third installment. That, notably, was before the release of "The Bone Temple."

Is ’28 Years Later’ a Trilogy?

A trilogy was always the plan. The first two were filmed back-to-back, which explains the quick turnaround time. Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland both returned for it, years after teaming up for "28 Days Later" in 2002.

Whatever the next installment is, it will have to wait. Garland, who has written all the franchise entries, is currently directing video game adaptation "Elden Ring." It’s scheduled to be released in theaters on March 3, 2028.

Is Cillian Murphy in the Next ’28 Years Later’?

In March, Cillian Murphy said he was keen to finish the trilogy. "Hope so!” he told The Times when asked for an update on the movie. “I’m ready anyway."

‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' Box Office

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" amassed $58 million worldwide, just over a third of the $151 million generated by “28 Years Later.”

Where to Watch ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'

The film was released in theaters in January 2026. You can stream it on Netflix now.

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 7:32 PM.