Netflix Finally Adds One of the Best Zombie Movies Ever (And the Sequel Premieres Soon)

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It can be hard to find good movies on Netflix because the selection changes so often. However, Netflix has a reliable deal with Sony Pictures, meaning new Sony movies consistently appear on the platform shortly after their theatrical release. Recent examples include *Karate Kid: Legends*, *One of Them Days*, and *Until Dawn*. Another new Sony title is coming soon, and now the very first film in that series is also available to stream on Netflix.

Okay, horror fans, listen up! I’m thrilled to report that Danny Boyle’s groundbreaking zombie film, *28 Days Later* from 2003, has finally found a stable streaming home – it’s on Netflix as of today! It’s been a long, strange journey for this movie in terms of availability over the years, and honestly, its arrival on the platform feels perfectly timed with the buzz building for *28 Years Later*. And speaking of that sequel, get ready – *28 Years Later* starts streaming on Netflix tomorrow, Saturday, September 20th. Consider this your official weekend viewing plan!

Just so you know, the second movie in the series, *28 Weeks Later*, isn’t currently on Netflix. You can find it on Hulu and Shudder instead. But don’t worry, you can still go straight from *28 Days Later* to the new movie, *28 Years Later*, and skip *28 Weeks Later* if you want. The beginning of *28 Years Later* makes it clear that it won’t be continuing any storylines from *28 Weeks Later*, or building on them in future movies. While *28 Weeks Later* is enjoyable and has some exciting scenes, it’s not essential to the new story.

28 Days Later Changed the Zombie Genre for the Better

When *28 Days Later* came out, the horror genre was going through a big shift, eventually leading to a revival. The 1980s had been filled with horror movies – including favorites like *The Evil Dead*, *Day of the Dead*, *Night of the Comet*, and *Return of the Living Dead* – but by the 1990s, the genre had declined, with fewer films being made and those that were released often receiving poor reviews.

Released in the US in 2003, *28 Days Later* came out at a key moment for zombie movies, following *Resident Evil* and just before Zack Snyder’s *Dawn of the Dead* remake. These three films significantly boosted the popularity of zombies, a trend that continued with the later success of *The Walking Dead* TV series. But *28 Days Later*, starring Cillian Murphy, really sparked a debate among fans: do you prefer fast-running zombies or the traditional slow walkers? Some might point out that *28 Days Later* features “infected” people, not technically undead zombies. But when a horde is trying to eat you, there’s really no time to worry about definitions!

Beyond fueling debates among horror fans, what truly set *28 Days Later* apart was its focus on the survivors and their experiences. The film prioritized their story, making the terrifying events even more impactful because viewers became invested in their fate. It didn’t rely solely on gore and shocking deaths; it built tension through character development and emotional connection.

28 Years Later Builds on the Franchise in Wild Ways

As a big fan of the original *28 Days Later*, I was really excited for Danny Boyle’s new film, *28 Years Later*, and it definitely delivered! Coming almost 28 years after the first one, it throws you right back into a post-apocalyptic England, and honestly, it surprised even me. The film quickly establishes that the UK is completely off-limits, and those who stayed behind have really gone back to basics, living a much more primitive life. But the biggest shock? The Rage virus itself has *changed*. Some of the infected are these creepy, crawling creatures, while others are super-strong and incredibly fast – making them even more terrifying than before. It’s a really clever evolution of the threat and adds a whole new layer of tension.

The most exciting news about the new movie is that it’s not just a one-time revisit to the original story. A direct sequel, *28 Years Later: The Bone Temple*, has already released a trailer and is scheduled for release in January 2026. Plans for a third film in the “28 Years Later” series are also underway, though details are currently limited.

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2025-09-19 16:13