28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Box Office – How the Horror Sequel Beat Avatar in Early 2026

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the latest installment in the 28 Days Later horror franchise, opened to an unexpected box office triumph, surpassing Avatar: Fire and Ash on its first Friday. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the sequel combines chilling horror, emotional depth, and franchise continuity. With strong critical reviews, fan enthusiasm, and a surprising box office performance, this film is one of the early highlights of 2026, proving that well-crafted horror sequels can compete with blockbuster tentpoles.

A Surprise Box Office Leader

When 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hit theaters in January 2026, few expected it to make such an immediate splash. The film opened on a Friday that saw it surpass Avatar: Fire and Ash in domestic daily earnings, raking in approximately $5.6 million in a single day. For a horror sequel, this was a significant achievement, demonstrating that audiences still crave smart, franchise-driven horror.

Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest installment in James Cameron’s long-running sci-fi epic, had been dominating box office charts for weeks. Yet, this horror sequel — produced on a far smaller budget — managed to briefly unseat the global juggernaut, signaling a shift in audience interests and the strength of niche, high-quality content.

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Why This Moment Matters

Several factors make this box office upset noteworthy:

Horror’s Enduring Appeal

The Bone Temple proves that horror franchises remain a strong draw, especially when they deliver on suspense, atmosphere, and narrative continuity. Fans of the 28 Days Later universe have long appreciated the mix of emotional storytelling and intense scares, and this sequel capitalized on that reputation.

Timing in the Year

January has historically been a quieter month for film releases, often dubbed a “dumping ground” for studios. Yet The Bone Temple leveraged this window, avoiding competition from other major releases while giving audiences a thrilling alternative to blockbuster spectacle.

Franchise Momentum

The film’s ability to outperform Avatar on opening day underscores the enduring power of established franchises — even those that aren’t massive global tentpoles — when executed with care and audience insight.

Box Office Breakdown

Analyzing the numbers provides insight into the film’s performance:

Opening Day Figures

With previews included, The Bone Temple grossed $5.6 million on Friday alone, temporarily claiming the top domestic spot. Analysts estimate a four-day MLK weekend gross between $20–22 million, a solid performance for a mid-budget horror sequel.

Comparisons with Predecessors

The original 28 Years Later film earned over $30 million in its opening weekend and eventually grossed more than $70 million domestically. While The Bone Temple faces a smaller early-year window, its performance suggests strong potential for sustained box office revenue.

International Competition

Although The Bone Temple excelled domestically, Avatar: Fire and Ash remains dominant globally, with cumulative earnings surpassing $1 billion worldwide. The blockbuster’s long tail of international box office makes it unlikely that it will be fully unseated, but the horror sequel’s success demonstrates that smaller films can still compete in meaningful ways.

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Critical and Audience Reception

The Bone Temple isn’t just a box office surprise — it’s also resonating with critics and viewers:

Critics

Early reviews praise Nia DaCosta’s direction, highlighting her ability to expand the franchise’s emotional and thematic depth. Critics note that the film successfully blends high-stakes horror with human storytelling, giving audiences both scares and substance. Rotten Tomatoes scores have hovered around 94% fresh, a remarkable rating for a horror release.

Audience Response

Audiences responded enthusiastically, reflected in CinemaScore and audience Rotten Tomatoes ratings. The combination of legacy franchise appeal and fresh storytelling has helped the sequel gain strong word-of-mouth, which may translate to robust box office legs in the coming weeks.

Inside the Film: What Makes It Work

Continuing the Franchise

Set decades after the original 28 Days Later, the film explores the long-term societal and emotional impact of the Rage virus. Returning characters are complemented by new faces, creating a narrative bridge between old and new audiences. The film balances horror, suspense, and human drama, maintaining the franchise’s core identity while offering a fresh take.

Direction and Tone

Nia DaCosta brings a distinctive style to the franchise, emphasizing atmospheric tension, striking visuals, and layered character development. Critics have noted that her approach elevates the film beyond standard horror fare, making it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Box Office Context: Horror vs. Blockbusters

Competing with Giants

Despite its success, The Bone Temple is competing with some of the highest-grossing franchises of all time. Avatar: Fire and Ash benefits from global recognition, merchandising, and expansive marketing. Yet the horror sequel’s niche appeal and smart storytelling enabled it to seize attention in a crowded cinematic landscape.

January Releases Gaining Momentum

Studios increasingly view early-year releases as opportunities for niche films to shine. The Bone Temple exemplifies this trend, showing that well-crafted horror can achieve profitability without blockbuster budgets.

Budget and Profitability

With a reported production cost of $63 million, the film’s strong opening and likely streaming deals suggest healthy profitability. Horror films often have excellent ROI, particularly sequels in well-loved franchises.

Implications for the Franchise and Industry

The Bone Temple’s performance signals several trends:

Revitalizing Horror Franchises

The success reinforces that horror sequels can be financially viable and critically acclaimed, even in the shadow of megablockbusters.

Audience Appetite for Storytelling

Viewers continue to value compelling narratives and character-driven plots, even in genre films. Horror sequels that respect the source material while innovating can compete with high-budget spectacles.

Streaming and Theatrical Windows

The film is expected to follow a theatrical-to-streaming model, expanding revenue streams while reaching a wider audience. This hybrid approach is becoming a staple for studios aiming to maximize profit and fan engagement.

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FAQs

When did 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple release?

The film premiered in U.S. theaters on January 16, 2026.

Who directed and wrote the film?

The film was directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland.

How did it perform on opening day?

It earned approximately $5.6 million, briefly topping the domestic box office ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Is the film critically acclaimed?

Yes. Critics praise the film’s direction, storytelling, and performances, with Rotten Tomatoes scores near 94% fresh.

How does it compare to the original film?

It maintains the horror and narrative depth of the original 28 Years Later while introducing new characters and thematic layers.

Is a sequel planned?

A third installment is reportedly in development, spurred by strong box office performance and audience interest.

What makes this film significant for 2026 cinema?

It demonstrates that mid-budget horror sequels can compete with blockbuster franchises, proving that quality storytelling and franchise loyalty remain powerful draws for audiences.

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