Why You Should Watch This Horror Sequel

After wowing critics as one of the best movies of 2025, the long-awaited horror sequel 28 Years Later is finally available on streaming. The third chapter in the iconic 28 Days Later franchise, 28 Years Later revisits Great Britain nearly three decades after the Rage Virus first broke containment and devastated the now-quarantined island.

The latest chapter in the franchise is the first in a new planned trilogy, with the immediate sequel expected to hit theaters in January 2026. Plans are already in place for the third film, although there are far fewer details available with the second part of the trilogy, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, yet to hit theaters.

The three entries in the 28 Days Later franchise can almost be watched like an anthology, as each checks in with an entirely different cast of characters at a completely different time and location in the expanded timeline of the Rage Virus outbreak. That figures to change with The Bone Temple, making 28 Years Later a key watch for those interested in following the franchise.

28 Years Later Is Streaming On Netflix: Why You Should Watch It

Isla (Jodie Comer), Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), and Spike (Alfie Williams) walk through the Bone Temple in 28 Years Later

28 Years Later is now available on Netflix, following through on its initial planned September 20th release date. As it stands, 28 Days Later can also be found on Netflix, while those seeking to watch the entire franchise in order will need to venture to Hulu or another alternative platform to find 28 Weeks Later.

28 Years Later did fairly well at the box office, grossing just north of $150 million worldwide on a budget of just $60 million. While that makes it one of the more successful horror movies of the year, there are still plenty of people who clearly have been waiting for it to be available on a streaming platform.

28 Years Later – Key Review Scores
RT Tomatometer	RT Popcornmeter	Metacritic Metascore	Metacritic User Score	IMDB Score	Letterboxd Score
89%	64%	77/100	6.2/10	6.7/10	3.5/10

For those who didn’t see it in theaters, it’s well worth watching even if you aren’t a die-hard fan of the franchise. There is enough background information given that someone who has never seen 28 Days Later or 28 Weeks Later can pick it up and follow along with virtually no issue. While knowing the backstory and lore obviously enhances the viewing experience, it’s far from essential to enjoy 28 Years Later.

28 Years Later will, however, be essential viewing for those who hope to keep up with the franchise, which will expand again in just four months. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reportedly picks up directly after the chaotic (and somewhat divisive) ending of 28 Years Later, and without the story laid out in the most recent chapter it will be difficult to follow everything in The Bone Temple.

While each movie in the franchise boasts a potent combination of action, horror, and drama, 28 Years Later might be the most emotionally affecting movie of the bunch. Writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle never let up on the horror elements that made the franchise so iconic, but they manage to infuse an extra dose of grief, beauty, and love into the narrative that elevates the proceedings.