28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Stumbles at UK Box Office
Praised as the standout entry in its series, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has not matched expectations at the UK box office. Discover what may have held it back and what’s next for the franchise.
Acclaimed as the most impressive instalment yet, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has nonetheless failed to set the box office alight in Britain. Over its opening three days, the film managed to pull in £10.2 million, with a modest bump to £11.8 million by the end of day four. These figures, while not disastrous, fall short of the franchise’s previous highs and have left some industry observers scratching their heads.
Comparisons and Context
Its predecessor, 28 Years Later, which hit cinemas in June 2025, enjoyed a far brisker start, raking in £23.5 million during its first weekend and closing out its four-day run with £25 million. The contrast is hard to ignore, especially given the critical buzz surrounding The Bone Temple. Some have pointed to the rapid-fire release schedule—two major entries within seven months—as a possible culprit for audience fatigue.
There’s also been chatter about the directorial handover. Danny Boyle, who had steered the earlier films, handed the reins to Nia DaCosta for this chapter. There’s also speculation that
the change in direction from Danny Boyle to Nia DaCosta may have had an impact on the viewership.
Whether this shift unsettled loyal fans or simply failed to entice new ones remains a matter for debate.
Critical Reception and Franchise Standing
Despite the lukewarm financials, reviews have been notably positive. The Bone Temple currently boasts a 7.8/10 on IMDb and a robust 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast, led by Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Alfie Williams, has drawn praise, and the film’s direction has been described as bold, if not universally beloved. The production, backed by Columbia Pictures, has been lauded for its atmosphere and performances, even if ticket sales have lagged behind expectations.
It’s worth noting that the film’s total worldwide gross stands at £24.5 million—a figure that, while respectable, doesn’t quite match the franchise’s earlier box office prowess. Still, the strong critical response has kept hopes alive for the next chapter.
Plot Developments and What Lies Ahead
The Bone Temple leaves viewers with a rather tantalising cliffhanger. The final scenes see Dr. Kelson and the alpha-infected Samson at the heart of the action, with Kelson’s last-minute act of compassion setting up a potential reclamation of the British Isles. Meanwhile, Spike survives the cult known as the “Jimmys,” led by Jack O’Connell’s Sir Jimmy Crystal, and appears to be heading towards a reunion with other survivors—possibly including Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, who makes a brief but significant appearance.
Looking forward, the next film—tentatively titled 28 Years Later: Part 3—seems poised to tackle the deployment of a long-awaited cure. The fate of the Jimmys and the infected Alphas will be addressed, and Cillian Murphy’s Jim is expected to play a more central role. The studio, however, may need to pace itself to avoid oversaturating audiences and risking further diminishing returns at the box office.
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