28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, has achieved an impressive 92% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the most critically acclaimed film in the 28 Days Later franchise. Despite this strong critical reception, the movie’s box office numbers tell a different story, with a global total of $47 million so far, lagging behind earlier franchise entries such as 28 Days Later ($74.9 million), 28 Weeks Later ($72.3 million), and 28 Years Later ($151.3 million). While the new sequel may still catch up to the first two films, surpassing the third installment’s earnings now seems unlikely.
Box Office Context and Comparisons with Other 2026 Releases
Although it has underperformed relative to its predecessors, The Bone Temple currently ranks as the highest-grossing film of 2026 worldwide, ahead of titles like Primate, which earned $31.1 million, and Greenland 2: Migration with $23.4 million. Its ongoing theatrical run has brought it close to matching the worldwide box office of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-nominated drama Magnolia, which features notable performances from Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore. The following examines the earnings gap between The Bone Temple and Magnolia globally.
Comparing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia
The Bone Temple’s box office summary reports:
- North America: $21.7 million
- International: $25.3 million
- Worldwide total: $47 million
Meanwhile, Magnolia’s figures stand at:
- North America: $22.5 million
- International: $26 million
- Worldwide total: $48.5 million
With a close worldwide difference of $1.5 million, The Bone Temple is nearing Magnolia’s global earnings. It trails by less than $1 million in both North American and international markets, making it likely that the sequel will surpass Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama soon.
Plot and Setting of The Bone Temple
The Bone Temple continues the story from 28 Years Later, focusing on survivors navigating a Britain devastated by the Rage Virus. The plot centers on Spike’s encounters with a violent new faction led by Sir Jimmy Crystal. As tensions rise, conflicts and difficult decisions challenge the fragile stability of the post-apocalyptic world.
Box Office Prospects and Future Updates
As The Bone Temple’s theatrical run progresses, its close competition with Magnolia highlights the sustained interest in the franchise despite lower earnings than previous installments. This comparison underscores the varying trajectories films can have between critical acclaim and commercial success. Box office watchers will be following this race to see if Nia DaCosta’s sequel becomes the top earner among recent films and eclipses Paul Thomas Anderson’s renowned drama.
