You remember the bike. Cillian Murphy, stick-thin in hospital scrubs, wandering through a London that had gone silent. It’s been over two decades since 28 Days Later basically invented the "fast zombie" and gave everyone a permanent fear of empty bridges. Now, the world of the Rage Virus is back, but it’s not just a quick cash-grab sequel.
The 28 Years Later new movie—officially titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple—is hitting theaters on January 16, 2026. This isn't just one film, though. It’s the second part of a massive new trilogy that kicked off with the summer 2025 release of 28 Years Later. If you missed that first chapter, you've got some catching up to do before the Bone Temple opens its doors.
What is The Bone Temple actually about?
Honestly, the shift in tone is wild. While the original films were about immediate survival, The Bone Temple is leaning hard into the "new world" that has grown out of the ashes. The Infected are still there—screaming, running, and generally ruining everyone's day—but they aren't the biggest problem anymore.
Nia DaCosta, who you might know from Candyman or The Marvels, took the director's chair for this one. She’s working from a script by Alex Garland, the guy who wrote the original 2002 movie. The story follows Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson and Jack O’Connell as a truly unhinged cult leader named Jimmy Crystal.
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Crystal isn't your typical villain. He’s foppish, sadistic, and wears Saville tracksuits like some sort of syphilitic king. He leads a group called "The Jimmies," and they’ve built a society that makes the Rage Virus look almost civil.
The Return of Jim
People have been losing their minds over whether Cillian Murphy is actually in this. For months, the rumors were a mess. He didn't show up in the first 2025 film, except for a "handover" coda that set the stage.
But it's confirmed. Murphy is back as Jim.
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He isn't the main character yet, though. He’s appearing in The Bone Temple in a role that’s being described as a "bridge." He’s older, obviously, and has spent nearly 30 years surviving a Britain that has basically regressed to the Middle Ages. Word is he’s setting up for a massive central role in the third, as-yet-untitled movie of this new trilogy.
Why the locations matter so much
They didn't just film this on a green screen in Atlanta. Danny Boyle (who directed the first part of this new trilogy) and DaCosta took the production to the most atmospheric, isolated parts of Northern England.
- Holy Island (Lindisfarne): This is where the survivors have built a "Medieval" culture. It’s a real place in Northumberland that gets cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide. Perfect for keeping out the Infected.
- Redmire, North Yorkshire: This is where they built the actual "Bone Temple." It’s a wasteland filled with over 250,000 artificial bones and 5,500 skulls.
- Cheddar Gorge: The finale of the 2025 film took place here, and the aftermath carries right into the new movie.
Interestingly, they shot these movies back-to-back using iPhone 15s and drones. It sounds like a gimmick, but it replicates that raw, digital "handheld" look of the original 2002 movie, which was shot on old Canon mini-DV cameras. It’s gritty. It feels real.
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Is this the end of the franchise?
Not if the box office holds up. The first part of the trilogy made about $151 million against a $60 million budget. That’s solid, but Sony is reportedly waiting to see how The Bone Temple performs before officially greenlighting the third film.
If you’re a fan of the lore, there are a few things you should know. The Rage Virus hasn't just stayed the same. We’re seeing "evolved" subtypes now—some are slower, almost like Romero-style zombies, while others are more cunning. The film explores themes of British isolationism and how people group together into tribal, violent cults when the government disappears.
How to get ready for the release
If you want to be fully prepped for the 28 Years Later new movie, don’t just rewatch the original. You need to see the 2025 28 Years Later first. It introduces Spike (played by Alfie Williams), a 12-year-old boy who is basically the "Luke Skywalker" of this new saga. He's the connective tissue between all three films.
Also, look out for the Fortnite crossover. Epic Games just dropped a 28 Years Later collaboration in January 2026, featuring a Pickaxe and Back Bling related to the Bone Temple. It’s a weird marketing move for a hardcore R-rated horror franchise, but that’s the world we live in now.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the 2025 "28 Years Later" on VOD or streaming before January 16 to understand who Spike and Jamie are.
- Look for tickets for "The Bone Temple" specifically in IMAX or theaters with immersive sound, as reviews from early screenings at ODEON suggest the sound design is a huge part of the horror.
- Keep an eye on Cillian Murphy’s interviews post-release; he has hinted that his involvement in the third film depends entirely on how "Jim" is received in this mid-chapter.