28 Years Later: The Bone Temple came out about a month ago and, despite genuinely strong reviews, it seriously underperformed at the box office.
The film grossed $25 million domestically and another $31 million overseas, for a $56 million worldwide total. To put that into perspective, the previous film in the series made $151 million internationally alone. That’s a massive drop-off.
For a well-reviewed horror sequel in a recognizable franchise, those numbers aren’t great.
There’s still a chance the movie finds its audience.
The digital release hits February 17th (basically tomorrow) across platforms like iTunes, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and other major retailers. The 4K UHD and Blu-ray release follows on April 21st.
Horror titles often perform well at home, especially ones with good word-of-mouth. If people skipped it in theaters, they might be more willing to give it a shot from their couch.
So What Went Wrong?
It’s a little puzzling because this one was actually better received than the previous entry.
The earlier film left some fans cold, with many calling it slow or dull. That may have hurt interest in this sequel before it even opened. Once audiences check out of a franchise, it’s hard to pull them back in.
Ironically, The Bone Temple earned an A– CinemaScore, which is excellent for a horror movie, and critics were largely on board too. A lot of the praise centered on Ralph Fiennes, who many felt delivered an iconic performance as Dr. Kelson.
But strong reviews don’t always translate into ticket sales — especially in a crowded market where horror fans are picky about what feels like an “event.”
What’s the Movie About?
Fiennes returns as Dr. Kelson, a physician who appears close to developing a treatment for the infected. Unfortunately, things get complicated when he crosses paths with the unhinged cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell), who runs a violent group known as “The Jimmies.”
Spike (Alfie Williams), who met Kelson in the previous film, becomes central to the conflict.
The sequel leans more into character tension and moral ambiguity than straight-up infected chaos, which may have pleased critics but made it a tougher sell for mainstream horror crowds.
What’s Included on the 4K and Blu-ray?
The home release comes with:
- Commentary with director Nia DaCosta
- Behind-the-scenes featurettes (New Blood, The Doctor and the Devil, Beneath the Rage)
- A deleted scene
- Bloopers (“Infected Takes”)
For fans of the franchise, that’s a solid package.
Will We Still Get the Third Film?
The big dangling question is the long-promised third installment, which is supposed to bring back Cillian Murphy as Jim from the original 28 Days Later.
Whether that actually happens may depend on how this one performs on digital and physical media. If it finds a second life at home, the studio might still roll the dice on finishing the trilogy.
What do you think? Can The Bone Temple make a comeback on home media, or has the franchise lost its momentum?
