28 Years Later scores 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, becomes top-rated film in the franchise

28 Years Later is the third and latest installment in the popular post-apocalyptic horror franchise, released on June 20, 2025 The sequel is written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, who return to the franchise after the first film, 28 Days Later, which had opened in 2002. The second film of the series, 28 Weeks Later, was released in 2007. Columbia Pictures has released the third film through Sony Pictures Releasing.

Here is the official synopsis, as it appears in Letterboxd:

Twenty-eight years since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one member departs on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

The film is garnering a buzz with its impressive critical score on the website RottenTomatoes.

28 Years Later receives the best RT score in the franchise

28 Years Later was released on June 20, 2025, and the early score on Rotten Tomatoes (RT) has been impressive. The Danny Boyle-directed film, at the time of writing, has a 92% fresh rating on the review aggregator website at the time of writing. The film had initially made its debut on the platform with a 95% score from 73 critical reviews.

It is currently the top-rated film in the franchise on RT. The first one, 28 Days Later, enjoys a rating of 87% while its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, has a 72% approval rate. However, there is one thing worth noting is that the reviews are comparatively fewer and the film has just been released. So, we can expect the rating to see some fluctuation in the coming weeks.

28 Years Later is produced by Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Peter Rice, and Andrew Macdonald. The film was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is a sequel that will release in 2026. Here is a list of the cast members of 28 Years Later:

Alfie Williams as Spike
Jodie Comer as Isla
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson
Edvin Ryding as Erik Sundqvist
Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson
Christopher Fulford as Sam
Amy Cameron as Rosey
Stella Gonet as Jenny
Jack O'Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal
Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink
Emma Laird as Jimmima

In a THR interview, Danny Boyle spoke about shooting 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple back to back.

"For logistical and financial reasons, it was insane not to do them back-to-back."

He revealed that they are looking for financing for a possible third film, which would complete a 28 Years trilogy.

"That made it impossible for me to direct the second one, because I had to get the first one ready to be released. So we got Nia DaCosta to direct the second one. She’s done a great job of it. We’re still trying to get the money for the third. In fact, a message from Tom Rothman has just popped up on the screen, but I don’t imagine it’s a generous offer."

The film's RT score might reflect on its box office prospects, which should enable the makers to make another film in the franchise.