28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Smashes Franchise Records as Critics Hail It a Masterpiece

Alright, it looks like we finally have some early reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and from the sound of it, this thing might actually be the best movie in the entire series. And yes, I know critics say that about every third sequel, but in this case, they’re using words like 'batshit insane' (their words, not mine) and calling it the 'first great film of 2026.' That’s a pretty high bar for a movie that’s building on a franchise where zombies aren’t even technically zombies.

So, What’s Everyone Actually Saying?

Let’s break down what’s got the internet fired up:

• Jack O'Connell is getting rave reviews for his performance. If you saw him in Sinners last year, you know he's got serious screen presence, but apparently here he’s dialed it up to 'flat-out terrifying.' One critic even said 'he absolutely devours every scene he’s in,' which is probably both a performance and a plot reference in this universe.
• Ralph Fiennes is reportedly the perfect contrast—bringing what they call 'grounded, graceful humanity' to balance O'Connell's chaos. So if you like your post-apocalyptic movies with a side of actual acting, you're in luck.
• Director Nia DaCosta is getting a ton of credit for this. Her take apparently throws in some hope, a weird amount of beauty, and yes, 'sick, visceral terror.' That's a cocktail only this franchise would try to mix, and critics seem to be buying it.
• The film supposedly has at least one scene that made a room full of critics burst into applause. Which, if you've ever seen critics watch a horror movie, is almost impossible.
• If you didn’t love 28 Years Later (the previous entry), well, some are saying this one is '10,000x better,' which I’ll admit is not the most scientific scale, but they sound pretty convinced.

Rotten Tomatoes Likes It—A Lot

It’s not just a few Twitter hot takes—The Bone Temple is landing the best Rotten Tomatoes scores the franchise has ever seen. As of now, it’s holding at 93% from 86 reviews. For context:

• 28 Days Later: 87%
• 28 Weeks Later: 73%
• 28 Years Later: 89%
• The Bone Temple: 93%

Granted, that 93% will probably tick down or up as the usual flood of reviews rolls in, but this is already the high water mark for the whole series. Of course, Rotten Tomatoes is just a number, so take it as a hint, not gospel. You’ll have to watch and judge for yourself.

DaCosta’s Redemption Arc?

Worth pointing out: Nia DaCosta took some unfair heat for The Marvels, especially considering how much Marvel Studios tends to keep its directors on a very short leash. Here, it sounds like she’s been let off the chain a bit, and the fans and critics both seem to be on board with her vision.

But Will It Actually Sell Tickets?

Last time around, 28 Years Later did fine business, but it didn’t exactly break records, especially after all that initial hype. This time, though, with everyone already fired up and the franchise’s reputation on a high after the last flick, there’s a decent shot that The Bone Temple could be a genuine hit. Fingers crossed—Hollywood can always use a sequel that actually delivers for once.

The Big Release Date

If you want to be among the first to see if the hype’s real, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple officially hits theaters in the US on January 16, 2026.

Ready for more rage-fueled mayhem? Or just sick of sequels in general? Either way, get your popcorn ready—the critics might be onto something with this one.