3 Movies in the Best Zombie Franchise Trend on HBO Max Ahead of New Sequel’s Streaming Release Tomorrow

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28 Days Later is still the standard for modern survival horror, moving away from slow, classic zombie movies and introducing incredibly fast and terrifying creatures. Released in 2002, the film – a collaboration between director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland – showed audiences a London overrun by “the infected,” people driven mad by a rage virus. Its gritty, realistic look and unsettling music created a truly frightening atmosphere that inspired many filmmakers. For years, this story remained untouched, but the original creators recently teamed up again to build on the original film with a new series, starting with the recent release of 28 Years Later.

Interest in the 28 Days Later series is booming, with three of the films currently ranking among the top ten most-watched on HBO Max. The original 28 Days Later is at number six, while 28 Years Later is just above it at number five. The 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later – which didn’t heavily involve the original director and writer – is at number eight, indicating that many viewers prefer the story as told by the creators of the first two films. This surge in viewership comes right before the digital release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, available to rent or buy online tomorrow, February 17th.

Can 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Become a Streaming Hit?

Despite earning $57 million worldwide in theaters, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple didn’t make enough money to cover its $63 million production cost, making it a box office disappointment. Several factors contributed to this. The movie was released only seven months after the first 28 Years Later film, which was too soon for many viewers. The title, The Bone Temple, instead of something like 28 Years Later 2, may have also confused people, leading them to believe it was a side story rather than the next main installment. Additionally, the first film’s unusual iPhone filming style and some of its creative choices regarding the infected were controversial, and the sequel had to overcome that negative reaction.

It’s a shame that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple didn’t succeed commercially, especially considering how good it is. Many critics believe it’s even better than the original 28 Days Later. Director Nia DaCosta created a visually impressive and well-structured horror film that builds on what the first movie started. The script, written by Alex Garland, is focused and intense, telling two gripping stories at once. One follows Spike (Alfie Williams) after he’s captured and enslaved by a violent cult called “The Fingers,” led by Jack O’Connell’s character, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. The other centers on Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) and his research on Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), who is infected with the “Alpha” virus.

Unlike earlier installments, The Bone Temple focuses on inventive and thoughtful scenes to delve into the minds of both the infected and those who have survived, showing how they’ve changed. Director DaCosta also prioritizes creating a strong mood, delivering unique and memorable moments while keeping the dark atmosphere fans expect. Now that The Bone Temple is available digitally, and with the earlier movies gaining popularity on HBO Max, it seems more people are ready to experience this chapter of the story.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled to be released on digital and VOD on February 17th.

Will releasing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple digitally finally help it find a wider audience?

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2026-02-16 16:40