Two of the Best Horror Franchises Ever Are Finally Making a Return This Year, After More Than a Decade

As a die-hard movie buff with over three decades of horror movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that I am beyond thrilled about the upcoming releases of “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “28 Years Later”. It’s not every day we see such iconic franchises return after a significant hiatus, and these two are no exceptions.

I vividly remember watching the original “Final Destination” back in 2000, and I was hooked from the very first death scene. The concept of cheating death only to have it come for you later in even more gruesome ways was a fresh take on the horror genre that has stood the test of time. And now, we’re getting a new installment with a creative team that seems just as passionate about the franchise as I am.

The behind-the-scenes story of how directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein secured the job by staging a fake on-set accident to impress the studio is nothing short of legendary in my book. It shows an unmatched level of dedication that I can appreciate as someone who’s spent countless hours researching and analyzing horror movies.

As for “28 Years Later”, I was a fan of the original “28 Days Later” when it came out in 2002, and I’m excited to see what Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes bring to this post-apocalyptic world. The fact that they shot “28 Years Later” and the next movie, “The Bone Temple”, back-to-back is a testament to their commitment to delivering quality content for us horror enthusiasts.

To top it all off, I’m looking forward to revisiting the other movies in the series before the new releases. It’s always fun to binge-watch these films and analyze the continuity, especially with a franchise as intricate as “Final Destination”. And who can forget the infamous “The Final Destination” tagline: “Death is not the final destination.” Classic!

In all seriousness, I am genuinely excited for these upcoming horror releases. The suspense is killing me (pun intended), and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these iconic franchises. Bring on the gore, bring on the jump scares, just don’t bring on any actual zombies or death traps – I have enough nightmares already!

It’s quite remarkable that in 2025, we’re seeing not just one, but two unexpected additions to horror franchise titles. First up is “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” which marks the resurrection of its series after over a decade and will be released on May 16th. Following closely behind on June 20th, we’ll have our long-awaited revisit to the zombie-ridden world in “28 Years Later,” since our last encounter in 2007.

As a longtime fan of horror movies, I can attest to the fact that the genre has a unique ability to captivate audiences through its use of title recognition and nostalgia. Over the years, I’ve watched countless horror franchises evolve, and I must say that the way these films are handled in the horror genre often sets them apart from other blockbusters.

Whether it’s a hard reboot, soft reboot or a belated sequel, I’ve noticed that horror filmmakers tend to take a more creative approach to their premises than those in other genres. They seem to have a greater appreciation for the intelligence of their audience and are willing to challenge us with unexpected twists and turns.

Take, for example, the highly-anticipated films “28 Years Later” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines.” These films have already built up a reputation for being smart and innovative in their storytelling, so expectations are high in that sense. As someone who has followed the evolution of these franchises over the years, I’m excited to see how they will continue to push the boundaries of horror cinema.

In my opinion, horror movies have a special place in the hearts of many viewers because they tap into our deepest fears and allow us to confront them in a safe and controlled environment. Whether it’s through the use of title recognition, nostalgia or creative storytelling, horror films have the power to transport us to another world and keep us on the edge of our seats. So, I can’t wait to see what these latest installments have in store for us!

Final Destination: Bloodlines

In the sixth installment of the “Final Destination” series, a fresh creative crew takes over – screenwriters Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, as well as directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. Since the essence of these films often leads to limited longevity for recurring characters, only Tony Todd is confirmed to reprise his role as William Bludworth. The intriguing aspect about this new movie lies in its emphasis on this enigmatic character, making it one of the most enticing elements of the film’s premise we’ve learned thus far.

In the movies “Final Destination”, “Final Destination 2”, and “Final Destination 5”, a character named Bludworth made an appearance. He runs Bludworth Funeral Homes and seems to possess uncanny insights into death’s nature. He frequently alerts characters about their circumstances when they cheat death and start having premonitions. As per a report from Bloody Disgusting, the upcoming movie “Bloodlines” will delve into William Bludworth’s past, providing flashbacks to his childhood that will shed light on his link to death.

As of now, we haven’t seen a trailer for Final Destination: Bloodlines, but an exciting behind-the-scenes account has already surfaced. According to insiders who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, the production team faced challenges in finding a director for this reboot. However, things took an interesting turn during a video call between Lipovsky and Stein. They orchestrated a daring stunt, pretending to be victims of a horrific accident similar to those that occur in the films. In their staged incident, they made it appear as if the fireplace behind them suddenly caught fire, with the flames spreading to the mantel. Although they managed to extinguish the blaze, a ceiling fan subsequently broke off and seemed to decapitate the two directors.

It’s said that their fervor for the franchise was what ultimately sealed Lipovsky and Stein’s deal to direct this movie, and we can only hope that their familiarity and excitement is evident in the final cut as well. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” will be gracing theaters on May 16th.

28 Years Later

Approximately a month from now, we’ll be treated to the long-awaited sequel titled “28 Years Later“. The film reunites original screenwriter Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle, who had not been involved in “28 Weeks Later ” released back in 2007. This dynamic duo launched the franchise with the successful low-budget release “28 Days Later” in 2002. Now, they have grand ambitions for the series’ upcoming installments.

In the universe of the film titled 28 Years Later, much remains unknown about the world that’s been overrun by the “rage virus,” transforming humans into zombies. As per the movie’s summary, this virus has now spread worldwide, leaving pockets of survivors isolated by strict quarantine measures. The story will revolve around a community that has established themselves on a small island, with their only connection to the mainland being a narrow, heavily fortified bridge.

In this film, you’ll find Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, who are all joining the series for the first time. Interestingly, Cillian Murphy, known for his role as Jim from “28 Days Later,” is also part of the cast in this movie. The specifics of his role aren’t clear yet, but he will also appear in the upcoming sequel, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” This has led to intriguing discussions among fans about whether Jim might have contracted the infection himself.

We’ll get the answers soon since “28 Years Later” and “The Bone Temple” were filmed consecutively. “The Bone Temple” is slated for release on January 16, 2026, with another film rumored to be in production as well. After being dormant for many years, this series has made a fierce comeback, and online fans are clearly thrilled. “28 Years Later” is set to premiere on June 20th.

Streaming

One terrific aspect of these two comebacks is that it offers viewers a reason to marathon-watch the other films in preparation. For those who are intrigued, the movies 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later can be found for rental or purchase exclusively on PVOD outlets like Apple TV, FandangoNow, and Prime Video. You can also find them in physical formats if you prefer.

It can be a bit challenging to find the entire Final Destination series as it’s spread across different platforms. The initial film is available for streaming on Paramount+, but unfortunately, the second and third movies are only accessible through PVOD (Premature Video On Demand) services. As for the fourth installment, titled The Final Destination, you can stream it now on Max. Lastly, if you’re looking for Final Destination 5, you’ll need to head back to PVOD stores.

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2025-01-01 20:14