28 Years Later Set to Break Franchise Records with Massive Opening Weekend

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28 Years Later, a highly anticipated sequel penned by Oscar-nominee Alex Garland and helmed by Danny Boyle, is projected to have the largest debut in the series. This long-awaited third installment of the horror franchise, which originally premiered 23 years ago with 28 Days Later, will be followed by a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, 16 years later. The upcoming film, set for release on June 20, brings back original star Cillian Murphy alongside newcomers Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and others.

Based on Deadline’s report, it’s anticipated that the upcoming film “28 Years Later” will set a new record for the franchise with its opening weekend earnings. In just the first day of pre-sales being available, this horror movie surpassed the pre-sale numbers for films like “Sinners,” “Final Destination Bloodlines,” and “Alien: Romulus” in 2025. It even outdid the pre-sale records set by “Nosferatu” and “Alien: Romulus” from 2024. The film is expected to gross over $34 million during its opening weekend at the box office.

What This Means For 28 Years Later

28 Years Later’s Opening Might Be Larger Than The Previous Two Movies Combined

The original film, “28 Days Later,” earned approximately $10 million at its initial release and amassed over $82 million globally during its theater run on a budget of $8 million. Its sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” opened domestically with $9.8 million and ultimately made around $65 million worldwide against a production cost of $15 million. Predictions suggest that the upcoming film, “28 Years Later,” could potentially have a larger opening weekend than both its predecessors combined, with projected earnings approaching half of the 2007 sequel’s total revenue.

In a cinematic comparison, Robert Eggers’ remake of the critically acclaimed “Nosferatu” wrapped up its box office journey with approximately $181 million. On the other hand, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” has grossed more than $236 million. Notably, both “Sinners” and “Alien: Romulus” have surpassed the $350 million mark worldwide. Given the early ticket sales, it’s plausible that “28 Years Later” might finish its run with a similar or even double the total earnings of the first two installments, which are around $150 million collectively.

Our Take on 28 Years Later’s Box Office

28 Years Later Has The Potential To Be The Highest-Grossing Film In The Franchise

It’s no wonder that the latest horror film is selling out before its release, given the buzz generated by the trailer for “28 Years Later” last year. This movie has consistently ranked high among horror enthusiasts’ most eagerly awaited titles of 2025, with many fans having waited over two decades for it. However, the specific figures for the film’s presale earnings have yet to be revealed.

28 Years Later appears to boast a production budget of approximately $60 million, noticeably higher than its preceding films. In order to turn a profit, the movie would need to earn over $120 million at the box office. Given the high level of audience excitement, this target may be reached ahead of schedule. However, it’s important to note that the third installment hasn’t been filmed yet due to pending studio funding. The recent box office projection suggests a strong possibility for the production of the third film to complete the trilogy.

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2025-06-07 14:49