The first trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has finally arrived. Released on September 3, 2025, the footage confirms that director Nia DaCosta (Candyman) and writer Alex Garland are pushing the franchise into darker territory. The biggest shock? A brief but undeniable glimpse of Cillian Murphy back as Jim, two decades after the original. With Ralph Fiennes leading the cast and unsettling images of cult-like survivors, this trailer sets the stage for a horror event that will dominate conversation long before its January 16, 2026 release.
Why 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Matters
When 28 Days Later hit theaters in 2002, it changed zombie cinema forever with its fast-moving infected and apocalyptic realism. Now, two decades later, the franchise is evolving again. The Bone Temple isn’t just about the infected—it’s about what people become after years of survival. The trailer’s imagery of temples, rituals, and cults suggests that humanity may be even more dangerous than the virus itself.
DaCosta’s involvement ensures fresh vision, while Garland’s script ties the story back to its roots. The return of Cillian Murphy, even in a cameo, bridges the new trilogy with the emotional core of the original. Danny Boyle has called Murphy’s brief return “very satisfying,” noting that it was key to securing momentum for the trilogy’s finale. Combined with new cast members like Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Erin Kellyman, the film feels both familiar and unpredictable. For horror fans, The Bone Temple isn’t just another sequel—it’s the most anticipated genre release of 2026.
Who’s starring in this movie?
The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry, and Alfie Williams as the mysterious Spike. But the headline news is Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim. His appearance is brief in the trailer, but its significance can’t be overstated—it ties the trilogy back to the original and hints at bigger plans for the final film. Murphy is also serving as an executive producer, underscoring his deeper involvement in shaping the franchise’s direction.
When and where can you watch it?
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple opens worldwide on January 16, 2026, from Columbia Pictures. The release is theatrical only, with no streaming date announced, positioning it as a must-see big screen event.
What does the trailer reveal?
The trailer teases a chilling evolution of the story. Survivors appear not just to endure but to worship the rage virus, forming cult-like enclaves that blur the line between faith and madness. The infected remain a violent presence, but the footage suggests that the true horror lies in what humanity has built in the ruins. And then there’s Jim—his return is a fleeting shot, but one that sparks immediate speculation. Is he a survivor, a leader, or something else entirely?
Watch the Trailer
The official trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is available now from Columbia Pictures. Watch it below for a first look.
Flix FAQs
Q: Is Cillian Murphy really back in The Bone Temple?
A: Yes. Murphy makes a brief cameo as Jim, with producers hinting he will have a larger role in the trilogy’s final installment.
Q: How does The Bone Temple connect to 28 Years Later?
A: It follows directly after the events of the 2025 film and expands the story into new territory, introducing cult-like survivors alongside the infected.
Q: Will the movie stream the same day it hits theaters?
A: No. Sony is releasing the film exclusively in theaters on January 16, 2026.
The Bigger Picture
The Bone Temple trailer confirms that the 28 Days Later universe still has the power to evolve and surprise. By blending returning icons like Cillian Murphy with new characters and terrifying cult imagery, the film is staking a claim as one of the most important horror releases of 2026.
The first trailer makes it clear: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple isn’t just a continuation—it’s setting the stage for a trilogy that could redefine modern horror cinema.
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