28 Years Later audiences in for huge surprise with film’s ending | Films | Entertainment

The long-awaited third film in the British zombie horror franchise arrives this weekend in cinemas with 28 Years Later.

Yet some fans will be in for a big shock come the film’s ending, as the Danny Boyle movie turns out to be only part 1 of a trilogy.

The second film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, was shot back-to-back with the first film, but was directed by Nia DaCosta.

Set for release in cinemas on January 16, 2026, the first sequel is also written by Alex Garland and once again stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie the scavenger.

Cillian Murphy will also be reprising Jim from 2002’s 28 Days Later, having not appeared in the first 28 Years Later film. Nevertheless, the Oscar-winner is an executive producer on the first in the trilogy. Meanwhile, Jack O’Connell, who only cameos in the first movie, has a larger role in The Bone Temple as cult leader Sir Jimmy Crystal.

As for the third and final film in the trilogy, Garland has also penned the script and Boyle plans on directing. However, 28 Years Later 3’s green-lighting and budget will presumably depend on the box office success of the first film, which hits cinemas this Thursday. Murphy is also expected to star in the third movie and fans are hopeful that Naomie Harris and Megan Burns will reprise fellow 28 Days Later survivors Selena and Hannah.