Danny Boyle’s zombies are back, and they’ve evolved. Horror fans, sharpen your stakes and stock up on canned goods because the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has dropped a brand-new trailer, and it doesn’t pull any punches.
Picking up nearly three decades after the terror of 28 Days Later, this official continuation reminds us why Boyle’s infected undead redefined the zombie genre. Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the trailer and what this next installment in the iconic franchise has in store.
a return to the rage virus
It’s been 28 years since the rage virus first escaped a British laboratory, sending the UK into chaos. The sequel’s haunting premise reminds us why these terrifying outbreaks still linger like a bad dream. According to the trailer, a small group of survivors has found refuge on an isolated island connected to the mainland by a heavily-fortified causeway. But as all seasoned horror enthusiasts know, peace in post-apocalyptic worlds is always short-lived.
Enter Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Jamie, a desperate father who ventures into the mainland—a decaying nightmare—to retrieve vital supplies and face horrors beyond infected zombies. The visuals hint at mutated threats, secretive survivors, and complex questions about survival. And then there’s Ralph Fiennes’s ominous declaration that “there are many kinds of death… and some are better than others.” Yikes.
a familiar team in the director’s chair and pen
After 28 years of tormenting our dreams, Danny Boyle returns to direct. Fans of the original will be relieved to know that the movie marks a reunion between Boyle and 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation).
The creative duo seems determined to honor the nerve-wracking chaos of the franchise’s signature dread while introducing new layers to the world of the infected. Fun fact for die-hard fans? The chilling soundscape includes Rudyard Kipling’s war poem Boots, a callback to the haunting themes Boyle masterfully weaves into his apocalyptic landscapes.
the cast of survivors and the undead
The lineup supporting this gut-wrenching story is as star-studded as it is promising.
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter) stars as a dedicated father braving the mainland’s horrors.
- Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) joins as a skilled, resilient survivor.
- Fan-favorite Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel) brings gravitas as Dr. Kelson, delivering chilling lines about life and death.
- Newcomer Alfie Williams (His Dark Materials) portrays Jamie’s hopeful yet vulnerable son, Spike.
It’s a powerful mix of talent we’re hoping lives up to the franchise’s heart-thumping tension. Oh, and here’s a bone-chilling thought to chew on (pun intended): Boyle teases that original 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy might appear in a future movie.
what the (bloody) fans are saying
Since the trailer’s midnight drop, fans have been dissecting every frame, from the evolution of the infected to the heavy, suspense-soaked atmosphere. The mutated infected? Scary as hell. The cinematography? Gorgeous and grim in equal measures.
Even more fascinating is the film’s ambition to tackle not just physical survival but the moral dilemmas that come with coexisting in a broken world. Do we need another zombie movie? If this trailer is any indication, the answer is absolutely.
what we know about the trilogy
28 Years Later is the first in a new planned trilogy, with the second installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, already locked for release on January 16, 2026, under the direction of Nia DaCosta (Candyman).
From the looks of it, Boyle is laying the groundwork for a much larger narrative universe while staying true to the intimate, gritty nature of the franchise. No flashy explosions here; instead, get ready for tightly packed horror sequences that will leave your knuckles white.
when can we watch 28 years later?
Set to rise in theaters on June 20, 2025, it’s safe to say 28 Years Later will be one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year. Whether you’re here for Boyle’s signature apocalyptic imagery, Garland’s brilliant storytelling, or the all-too-relatable existential dread, this sequel promises to deliver a cinematic experience worth braving.
watch the trailer
Haven’t seen the trailer yet? Buckle up—but don’t say we didn’t warn you. For horror enthusiasts craving pulse-pounding cinema with brains (and not just the kind the zombies are after), this one’s for you.
What do you think? Will 28 Years Later live up to its predecessor’s legacy? Are you ready for what Boyle calls “a continuing apocalypse”?