28 Years Later Spinoff Eyes Modest Box Office Haunt in January 2026

Sony Pictures will release “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” on January 9, 2026. The film is a new spinoff in the revived zombie franchise. It is not directed by original filmmaker Danny Boyle.The project instead is helmed by director Nia DaCosta. Industry trackers predict a domestic opening between $20 million and $30 million. This forecast suggests a quieter debut than the franchise’s previous entry.

Franchise History Points to Challenging Sequel Performance

The 2025 film “28 Years Later” opened strongly to $30 million. According to industry analysis from Box Office Pro, it then saw steep weekly declines. It finished its domestic run with a total of $70.4 million.This pattern of front-loaded interest is expected to affect the spinoff. “The Bone Temple” is the first entry not directed by Danny Boyle. Director Nia DaCosta previously led the 2021 legacy sequel “Candyman” to a $22 million opening.Sony’s strategy places the film in a typically quiet January month. This mirrors a reverse of recent sequel scheduling trends. Several 2025 sequels moved to summer dates from winter slots and underperformed.

January Release Faces Direct Horror Competition

The dating strategy may help “The Bone Temple” avoid summer blockbuster competition. However, it will not have the horror genre entirely to itself. It shares its January 9 release date with Paramount’s new horror film “Primate.”Trackers currently forecast “Primate” for a $5 million to $10 million opening. Positive word-of-mouth for that film could split the core horror audience. This competition presents a clear risk to Sony’s spinoff.The broader January landscape includes other genre films. Lionsgate’s “Greenland 2: Migration” opens the same day. The overall market is expected to be less crowded than peak seasons.

U.S. Arctic Strategy Sparks New Tensions After Danish Intelligence Warning

The final box office performance of “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” will test the strength of the franchise beyond its original creators and the viability of horror in the early-year corridor.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Who is directing “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”?

The film is directed by Nia DaCosta. She previously directed the 2021 horror sequel “Candyman.” Original franchise director Danny Boyle is not involved in this spinoff.

When does the movie come out?

“The Bone Temple” is scheduled for release on January 9, 2026. This is a notably quiet period for major studio releases. It will compete directly with the horror film “Primate.”

How much is it predicted to open with?

Current long-range tracking predicts an opening between $20 million and $30 million domestically. This is lower than the $30 million opening of “28 Years Later” in 2025. The forecast considers the prior film’s sharp decline in attendance.

Why is it coming out in January?

Sony may be using a counter-programming strategy. A less crowded January allows the film to capture audience attention without summer-level competition. This reverses a recent trend of moving sequels to busier seasons.

What is the “28 Years Later” franchise?

It is a zombie horror series that began with 2002’s “28 Days Later.” The franchise was revived with 2025’s “28 Years Later.” The new film is the first spinoff story within this universe.