Key Highlights
- The sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is set to open over the MLK holiday weekend with a projected $20M+ 4-day opening.
- Director Nia DaCosta, known for her work on films like “Little Women,” has taken on this project alongside producer Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland.
- The film is set to hit theaters on January 16, following a series of early fan screenings in select cities during December.
- Similar to the previous film, it will face challenges due to poor performance of its predecessor, with projections suggesting a potential underperformance.
The Anticipation Builds: ‘The Bone Temple’ Hitting Theaters
The horror genre continues to captivate audiences around the world, and Nia DaCosta’s “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is set to release on January 16. This eagerly awaited sequel, produced by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, aims to unseal its box office potential over the MLK holiday weekend.
Opening Weekend Projections
According to Sony Pictures, “The Bone Temple” is projected to open with a robust $20M+ 4-day haul. This projection places it among 32 movies that have successfully opened north of this mark during the Friday-through-Monday MLK box office period.
Past Performance and Future Prospects
While the original “28 Years Later” had a strong opening in June, grossing $70.4M domestically and $151.3M worldwide, the third installment faces challenges. A significant factor is the underwhelming performance of its predecessor, which barely broke even. As such, critics and fans alike are divided on whether “The Bone Temple” will meet expectations.
Behind The Scenes: Early Screenings and Fan Reactions
Sony Pictures held early fan screenings in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Austin, London, Paris, and Berlin. These previews received mixed reviews from audiences, with many praising the film’s intensity and direction but questioning its commercial viability.
Expert Opinions and Fan Reactions
Around the internet, fans are vocal about their expectations for “The Bone Temple.” Enzo, a long-time fan of the franchise, expresses skepticism: “Nope, huge fan of the first two movies. 28 Years Later killed all my interest in future movies in the franchise.” However, Marco counters with excitement, saying, “I can’t wait. I get why others didn’t like the last one – it’s not ‘mainstream.’ While not perfect, it was still one of my favorites of the year.”
The Legacy Continues: A Series That Has Mined Gold
Despite mixed reception, the “28 Years Later” franchise has proven to be a financial success. The series’ three features have collectively generated close to $300 million worldwide, with “The Bone Temple” poised to add to this impressive total.
Coming Attractions: Other Films in Development
Sony Pictures is also preparing for the release of other films like “Dead Man’s Wire,” directed by Gus Van Sant, and “Hamnet,” a drama from Chloé Zhao. These titles will compete for attention alongside “The Bone Temple” during the MLK holiday weekend.
Conclusion
A Test Case for Future Horror Successes
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” stands as a crucial test case for the future of the horror genre in theaters. While it faces significant hurdles, the film’s potential to perform well could signal either success or further decline for this particular franchise.
The coming days will reveal whether Sony Pictures and Nia DaCosta have struck gold with “The Bone Temple,” or if it will be another chapter in a story that is yet to find its definitive ending.
