FAILED PREDICTIONS

Zombie Franchise Loses Top Box Office Spot Opening Weekend

The sequel pulled in about half the box office total of its predecessor in the storied franchise.

The latest installment of the post-apocalyptic horror series 28 Days Later failed to topple James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which remained at the top of the box office for a fifth consecutive week. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which was expected to gross $20 million to $22 million over the long weekend, fell short of predictions and is now projected to earn around $15 million in its four-day debut. The film’s opening weekend haul is half of what its predecessor, 28 Years Later, earned—$30 million domestically in 2025—despite being the franchise’s most expensive entry, with a production cost of $63 million. The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, was shot back-to-back with its predecessor and takes place immediately after the previous film, following characters as they struggle to survive the Rage Virus ravaging post-apocalyptic Britain. The film, which stars Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell, has earned a 93 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and will be followed by another entry in the franchise.