28 Years Later has achieved a significant box office milestone, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and securing its place as one of the highest-grossing films in Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s filmography.
The horror drama, directed by Danny Boyle, continues the 28 Days Later franchise, following the journey of a young boy who leaves his isolated community to venture into the dangerous mainland, encountering rage-infected humans.
What Surpassing Tenet Means for 28 Years Later
The success of 28 Years Later, which has now surpassed Tenet domestically, highlights how the film’s release benefited from a more favorable release period.
Directed by Oscar-winner Christopher Nolan, Tenet had an impressive storyline, backed by a star-studded cast that included Taylor-Johnson, John David Washington, and Robert Pattinson. However, Tenet debuted amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which led to reduced theater attendance. While it grossed over $365 million globally, the film was seen as one of Nolan’s more disappointing releases in recent years.
On the other hand, 28 Years Later is part of a well-established and popular genre series, offering audiences a familiar, thrilling experience. The movie’s strong box office performance can be attributed to the timing of its release, and it will be intriguing to see how far it will go in terms of overall earnings.
Upon its premiere, 28 Years Later earned around $30 million, marking a high point for the 28 Days Later franchise. With the film now surpassing $100 million globally, it has already outperformed another of Taylor-Johnson’s films, Kraven the Hunter (2024), and is expected to continue performing well at the box office.
Our Take on 28 Years Later‘s Box Office
The commercial success of 28 Years Later represents a major win for Aaron Taylor-Johnson, following the success of his other recent horror hit, Nosferatu, where he plays Friedrich Harding. As the film continues to earn, it looks poised to surpass Shanghai Knights, further climbing the ranks of Taylor-Johnson’s highest-grossing films.
However, as the summer blockbuster season progresses, the momentum for 28 Years Later is expected to slow. Tracking the film’s box office progress will remain important, especially given the split reactions from critics and audiences, which is reflected in the film’s mixed Rotten Tomatoes scores: 88% on the Tomatometer and 63% on the Popcornmeter.
Looking ahead, Taylor-Johnson will return in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, scheduled for release on January 16, 2026. The box office performance of this film will be crucial in determining how the 28 Years Later franchise impacts the actor’s legacy and whether the sequel can build on the success of the original film.
