The Kaipher Editorial Team 
Danny Boyle’s much-anticipated zombie horror sequel, 28 Years Later, premiered on Netflix US on September 20, 2025, following a spectacular theatrical haul of $150 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, the film has emerged as the most successful entry in the franchise, earning acclaim as one of 2025’s best horror sequels.
Box Office Triumph Paves Way for Streaming Success
Released on June 20, 2025, the third installment in the 28 Days Later saga grossed $70 million domestically and $80 million internationally, ranking as director Danny Boyle’s third-highest grosser after Slumdog Millionaire and Yesterday. Set 28 years after the original Rage Virus outbreak, the sequel follows survivors on Holy Island who return to the contaminated mainland, with critics lauding its tense atmosphere and emotional depth. The film maintains an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and has been hailed as “a terrific horror sequel that captures the dark glory of 28 Days Later” (Whats on Netflix).
Sony’s Exclusive Streaming Partnership
Under Sony Pictures’ first-look deal with Netflix, in place since 2021, 28 Years Later became available on Netflix US approximately four months after its theatrical debut. This exclusive arrangement, reportedly worth hundreds of millions over five years, ensures Sony’s new releases stream first on Netflix in the U.S., replacing its prior Starz agreement. However, regional licensing varies: U.K. viewers typically wait six to seven months for Sony titles on Sky and NOW, meaning 28 Years Later may not reach British streaming platforms until December 2025 or January 2026 (Forbes).
Franchise Revival and Future Prospects
28 Years Later marks the reunion of Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, who co-created the 2002 original. Shot using modified iPhone 15 cameras for a distinctive visual style, the film inaugurates a planned new trilogy. Its immediate sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Garland, is slated for January 16, 2026. After its July digital purchase and rental release, the Netflix debut bolsters momentum ahead of Halloween and the upcoming sequel, offering horror enthusiasts a chilling lead-in to the franchise’s next chapter (ScreenRant).
