The Sequel to ’28 Years Later,’ ‘The Bone Temple,’ Has a Surprisingly Unique Release Date

The sequel to the popular 28 Days Later series, called 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is set to arrive in theaters on January 16, 2026. The movie has already finished filming, with Nia DaCosta, the director known for Candyman, leading the project.

Sony has officially announced the release date, which is exactly 28 weeks from now.

Unlike many sequels that only get made after a movie becomes a big success, this new film was planned as part of a trilogy from the start. Both 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple were filmed one after the other. Whether there will be a third movie depends on how well the first two do at the box office.

The title The Bone Temple refers to an important location introduced in the first film. Ralph Fiennes plays Dr. Kelson, a man who has built a temple made from skulls collected over 28 years since the infection began.

This temple is a tribute to those who died, inspired by the phrase memento mori, which means “remember you must die.” It looks like Fiennes will return to play this character again in the new movie.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ralph Fiennes spoke about a strong moment in the first film involving an infected woman giving birth to a healthy baby. He said, “The ultimate human moment is an infected woman who is giving birth to a baby who is not infected.” This idea of whether infected people still hold onto their humanity will be important in the sequel.

The new movie will also focus on a character named Sir Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O’Connell. Jimmy’s story, including his past and what he has become, is shown at the start and end of the first movie. He and his group save a young boy named Spike from infected creatures, suggesting that Spike will play a big role in The Bone Temple.

This might mean the movie’s tone could be different from what fans expect. Danny Boyle, the director of the original 28 Days Later, told IGN that Jimmy is a “hugely significant figure” in the sequel. Boyle also mentioned that Jimmy and his gang were inspired by the real-life person Jimmy Savile, which may give some clues about what the story will explore.

Fans of the original will be happy to hear that Cillian Murphy is expected to return as Jim, the main character from the 2002 film. Boyle told Business Insider, “[DaCosta] gets a bit of Cillian at the end. All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed.” If the trilogy continues, Murphy’s character may have a larger role.

Filming began on August 19, 2024, and in September, Murphy was spotted filming in Cumbria, England. Sony Pictures will release the film in the United States on January 16, 2026.

Personally, I think it’s exciting to see this series planned as a full trilogy from the start. Filming two movies back-to-back is a bold move, and it shows confidence in the story. I’m curious to see how the themes of humanity and survival develop, especially with the unique focus on the Bone Temple and characters like Jimmy Crystal. What do you think about this new direction for the series? Share your thoughts in the comments below!