Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s $150 Million Horror Sequel Infects a New Streaming Home

After delivering mixed results during its theatrical run a couple of months ago, director Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later has set a Netflix release date. The long-awaited legacy sequel will debut domestically on the streamer on September 20. It earned mixed reviews from audiences during its theatrical run, and there is a risk that the feelings could spill over onto its home video era. Sony needs the movie to work on streaming, especially since it is committed to releasing an already-canned follow-up. Sony bought the rights to both 28 Years Later and its immediate follow-up, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is set for release in January.

A third film will only be green-lit if the second one does well and further investment is seen as worthwhile. Writer Alex Garland has already written the third installment, and Boyle is expected to return to the helm. With $70 million domestically and another $80 million from overseas markets, 28 Years Later grossed exactly $150 million worldwide, against a reported budget of $60 million. The movie is set in the same world as the original 28 Days Later, which made over $80 million globally. It was followed by 28 Weeks Later, which made more than $70 million globally. Both those movies were relatively cheap to produce, but Boyle is an Oscar-winner now, while Garland has only grown in stature as well. Plus, Cillian Murphy might show up in either the second or third film, and he’s an Oscar-winner as well.

Audience Response to ’28 Years Later’ Was Mixed

28 Years Lateropened to positive reviews, although audience reception was mixed. The movie is sitting at an 88% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “28 Years Later taps into contemporary anxieties with the ferocious urgency of someone infected with Rage Virus, delivering a haunting and visceral thrill ride that defies expectations.” The audience score for the movie is far lower, at 63%. 28 Years Later also struggled to top the PVOD charts, which isn’t the most promising of signs. Director Nia DaCosta, who helmed the follow-up, has already promised more zombie action in her film. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.