The zombie genre experienced a significant resurgence with Danny Boyle's 2002 film, "28 Days Later," starring Cillian Murphy. Its depiction of fast-running infected and a compelling, character-driven narrative profoundly influenced both independent filmmakers and major studios. The film's enduring concept re-entered the public consciousness during the recent pandemic, further amplifying interest in its burgeoning franchise.

Building on this legacy, the acclaimed sequel, "28 Weeks Later," is set to find a new streaming home on Hulu, becoming available on January 1, 2026. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the 2007 film is set six months after the initial Rage virus outbreak. The story unfolds as Britain, declared safe, begins its rebuilding efforts, allowing refugees, including Don (portrayed by Robert Carlyle) and his two children, to return. However, a perilous turn of events occurs when Don's children inadvertently reintroduce the virus while searching for their mother, unleashing a deadly new outbreak and widespread chaos as the infected swiftly return. The film, which also featured Jeremy Renner in a notable role and Rose Byrne, was a commercial success, grossing over $72 million worldwide against a modest $15 million budget. Critically, it earned a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 66% from audiences. While praised for its performances, storyline, Fresnadillo’s directorial vision, intense pacing, frightening infected, and immersive handheld cinematography, some critics observed a shift towards spectacle over the character-driven drama of its predecessor. "28 Weeks Later" boasts a runtime of 100 minutes and was written by Enrique López Lavigne, Jesús Olmo, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, and Rowan Joffe, with Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald, and Bernard Bellew serving as producers.

The franchise has recently seen a significant expansion with the launch of a new trilogy. In 2025, Danny Boyle returned to the universe with "28 Years Later," a new installment written by Alex Garland. This highly anticipated film, which was met with wide acclaim, introduces a fresh group of survivors navigating new threats from the virus on an isolated island years after the initial events. Featuring an entirely new ensemble cast including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes, "28 Years Later" proved to be a critical and commercial triumph. It garnered an impressive $151 million worldwide against a $60 million budget, securing an 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics and 63% from fans.

The success of "28 Years Later" immediately paved the way for its sequel, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," which is slated for release in January 2026. Directed by Nia DaCosta and also penned by Alex Garland, this feature was filmed back-to-back with Boyle's installment, indicating a cohesive and rapid development for the new narrative arc. Furthermore, Sony Pictures has demonstrated strong confidence in the rejuvenated franchise, announcing that a third "28 Years Later" movie is already in development. Fans have even more to anticipate, as Cillian Murphy, who served as an executive producer for the two new films, is reportedly considering an on-screen return in the upcoming third movie, potentially bringing his iconic character back into the fold.