28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Poised for Release in Franchise Revival
London, 13 January 2026 – The post-apocalyptic horror franchise that redefined zombies in modern cinema returns with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the second instalment in a new trilogy, scheduled for release on 16 January 2026. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film continues the story 28 years after the Rage Virus outbreak, featuring a cast including Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim.
Series Background
The 28 Days Later series began with Danny Boyle’s 2002 film, which followed a bicycle courier awakening from a coma to a virus-ravaged Britain. The sequel, 28 Weeks Later, released in 2007, expanded the outbreak to Europe. After a long hiatus, Boyle and Garland reunited for 28 Years Later in 2025, setting the stage for this new trilogy. The Bone Temple, shot back-to-back with its predecessor, explores themes of survival, mutation, and redemption in a quarantined UK.
Film Details and Plot
Directed by Nia DaCosta, who previously helmed Candyman, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple delves deeper into the mutated infected and the survivors’ evolving society. The film stars Cillian Murphy as Jim, alongside Jack O’Connell as cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal, and others from the first film. It examines how the passage of time influences survival, with new concepts like evolved infected and societal distortions. Principal photography completed in October 2024, and the film is distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing through Columbia Pictures.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 16 January 2026 |
| Director | Nia DaCosta |
| Writer | Alex Garland |
| Producers | Peter Rice, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Bernie Bellew, Andrew Macdonald |
| Running Time | 109 minutes |
| Composer | Hildur Guðnadóttir |
| Cinematographer | Sean Bobbitt |
| Editor | Jake Roberts |
| Production Companies | Columbia Pictures, Decibel Films, DNA Films |
| Distribution | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this film part of the original series?
Yes, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the fourth film in the 28 Days Later series, following 28 Days Later (2002), 28 Weeks Later (2007), and 28 Years Later (2025). It forms part of a new trilogy written by Alex Garland.
Does Cillian Murphy return as Jim?
Yes, Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Jim in this film, marking his first appearance in the series since the original 2002 film.
What is the plot about?
The film continues the story of survivors in a quarantined Britain, exploring mutations in the infected and the consequences of societal collapse over 28 years.
Who directed the film?
Nia DaCosta directed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, while Danny Boyle directed the first instalment and will helm the third if greenlit.