28 Years Later has achieved a remarkable feat that few horror films of 2025 can claim. Directed by the visionary Danny Boyle and penned by the talented Alex Garland, this film marks the third chapter in a post-apocalyptic horror series that began with 28 Days Later in 2002. Set in a desolate Britain ravaged by the Rage virus for over three decades, the story follows Spike (Alfie Williams), a 12-year-old boy raised on the fortified island of Lindisfarne. The film showcases a stellar cast that includes Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Edvin Ryding, and Jack O’Connell.
As of this past weekend, 28 Years Later has projected domestic earnings of $2.7 million, bringing its total box office gross to an impressive $65.7 million. Notably, it now stands as the 15th release in 2025 to cross the $65 million mark domestically and is only the third horror film this year to achieve such a milestone, trailing behind Final Destination Bloodlines ($137.8 million) and Sinners ($278.5 million), the latter being the current third highest-grossing domestic film.
What This Means For 28 Years Later
It Still Needs To Climb A Bit More
28 Years Later has shattered records, kicking off with the best opening weekend of the franchise. It has gone on to eclipse 28 Days Later with a domestic gross of $65.7 million, making it the highest-grossing installment in the series. However, despite this success, it appears unlikely to surpass the cumulative earnings of either Final Destination Bloodlines or Sinners by the end of its run. Still, its domestic total is more than double that of the next highest-grossing horror film of 2025, Heart Eyes, which has earned $30.4 million.
In fact, here’s a look at the ten highest-grossing domestic horror movies of 2025:
|
Rank |
Title |
Domestic Box Office |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 |
Sinners |
$278.5 million |
|
#2 |
Final Destination Bloodlines |
$137.8 million |
|
#3 |
28 Years Later |
$65.7 million |
|
#4 |
Heart Eyes |
$30.4 million |
|
#5 |
The Woman in the Yard |
$22.4 million |
|
#6 |
M3GAN 2.0 |
$22.3 million |
|
#7 |
Wolf Man |
$20.7 million |
|
#8 |
Until Dawn |
$20.2 million |
|
#9 |
Bring Her Back |
$19.3 million |
|
#10 |
Clown in a Cornfield |
$7.2 million |
Despite these record-breaking figures, the reported budget for 28 Years Later is set at $60 million. Movies often need to earn back two and a half times their budget to break even, suggesting a potential break-even point as high as $150 million. The film has grossed nearly $130 million worldwide as of Friday, but it may struggle to clear that total in domestic theaters, meaning its ultimate success may hinge on VOD performance and streaming revenue.
Our Take On The 28 Years Later Milestone
The Franchise’s Future Depends On The Fourth Movie
While 28 Years Later has performed reasonably well at the box office, the true test for the franchise will come with the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on January 16, 2026. This film is expected to kick off a new trilogy, yet the funding for the third installment remains uncertain. Once 28 Years Later is made available on VOD and streaming services, it should attract a substantial viewership, potentially laying the groundwork for Bone Temple to turn a profit. However, if the franchise suffers from diminishing returns, it may only achieve this success by a narrow margin.