Sony Hits Pause as ’28 Years Later’ Sequel Stumbles

The future of the 28 Years Later franchise looks uncertain after The Bone Temple underperformed at the global box office. Despite strong critical praise and high audience scores, Sony Pictures now appears hesitant to move forward with the next sequel. The studio had announced plans for a third film earlier this year, but insiders say the project is no longer a priority.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was expected to build on the success of director Danny Boyle’s 2025 hit 28 Years Later. The new film, written by Alex Garland and co-directed by Boyle and Nia DaCosta, teased a return of Cillian Murphy’s character from 28 Days Later. That setup was meant to launch a fresh trilogy, but disappointing ticket sales have changed the conversation inside Sony’s offices.

The film earned roughly $58 million worldwide, falling short of its $63 million production cost. By comparison, 28 Years Later brought in $151 million on a similar budget, a sharp contrast in profitability that likely prompted the studio’s pause. Analysts point out that while the second film’s release strategy targeted critical acclaim, it failed to draw the same scale of audience interest. “The box office just didn’t follow the buzz,” one industry observer said.

The critical reception, however, tells a different story. The Bone Temple earned a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, topping the original film’s 88%. Audience approval climbed as well, jumping to 88% compared with the first movie’s 63% rating. Viewers and critics praised its direction and atmosphere, but strong reviews alone were not enough to bring in major profits.

Some industry analysts now wonder if Sony could look to offload the franchise to another platform or studio. The company recently sold KPop Demon Hunters to Netflix, where it became the streamer’s most-watched original movie. With The Bone Temple available digitally this week, Sony may test if home streaming can recoup some losses. Whether the franchise continues or not, one thing is clear: the debate over the value of theatrical releases in a changing entertainment market is far from settled.

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