Sony PicturesSprinting at full speed back into cinemas like an Alpha, the 28 Years Later saga continues with The Bone Temple. From plot details to the release date, here’s everything you need to know.
Not quite 28 years (23 years, to be exact) after Danny Boyle revolutionized the zombie genre with 28 Days Later, the series finally picked back up. 28 Years Later gave us our first look at the world gone mad almost three decades on, but it was just that, a first look.
Before the 2025 flick even hit the big screen, we knew there were bigger plans in play. An immediate follow-up, The Bone Temple, was announced, as was a yet-to-be-named third film to round out a trilogy.
The midway point is nearly upon us as the second chapter, The Bone Temple draws closer to its release. Before sinking your teeth into the sequel, however, we’ve got you covered with all the bloody details below.
The Bone Temple release date
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is set to release globally on Friday, January 16, 2026.
This comes just seven months behind the first film. Thankfully, both were shot at the same time, meaning principal photography took place throughout 2024. There should be no cause for concern regarding delays on this one.
Who’s in it? The Bone Temple cast details
As The Bone Temple picks up right where the first film left off, we’ll be seeing many of the same characters once again. However, there are some fresh faces and returning figures joining the mix too.
Of course, topping the bill is none other than Cillian Murphy as Jim. While he didn’t show up in the first outing, it’s been confirmed his character will indeed be present in The Bone Temple, though to what extent still remains anyone’s guess.
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his son Alfie Williams are both back, of course, as is the sadistic Jimmy who closed out the first film with a stylish bang. And of course, Ralph Fiennes is set to reprise his role as Dr Ian Kelson, though we’ll just have to wait and see what he gets up to with Samson this go around.
The full cast is as follows:
- Alfie Williams – Spike
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson – Jamie
- Jack O’Connell – Sir. Jimmy Crystal
- Ralph Fiennes – Dr. Ian Kelson
- Chi Lewis-Parry – Samson
- Cillian Murphy – Jim
- Emma Laird – Jimmima
- Maura Bird – Jimmy Jones
- Erin Kellyman – Jimmy Ink
What is The Bone Temple about? 28 Years Later sequel explained
The Bone Temple is set to be as close to an immediate follow-up as you can get. If you haven’t seen 28 Years Later, there’s absolutely no reason to be watching The Bone Temple.
In the closing moments of the first flick, Spike is ‘rescued’ by a Power Rangers-esque gang led by a Jimmy Savile wannabe named, well, Jimmy. We first saw this character at the beginning of the first film, as a child watched his father torn to pieces by a pack of infected inside a church.
Jimmy now leads a twisted group who seemingly love the attention, as they go about etching their leader’s name on infected.
There’s no quite telling what they want with Spike, or whether their meeting was purely happenstance or planned in advance. One thing we do know, though, is that the group is set to clash with Dr. Kelson and his Alpha, Samson.
Sony PicturesThe returning Cillian Murphy adds an interesting twist to it all. It’s unclear whether he’s an outsider that’s managed to stay alive on his own all this time, or whether he’s joined Jimmy’s group in some capacity.
Regardless of how it turns out, don’t expect answers to all of your questions in The Bone Temple. We know for certain another sequel is in the works, and Boyle is even returning to direct. So it’s safe to go in anticipating another cliffhanger.
Is there a trailer yet?
No, we haven’t yet seen a trailer for The Bone Temple, but as the first look has been confirmed for September 3, 2025, so you don’t have much longer to wait.
Be sure to check back in as we’ll update you here with all the latest details in the lead-up to the film’s launch.