Why 28 Years Later cost nearly 10 times more than 28 Days Later

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It’s not astonishing that the budget for “28 Years Later” is almost ten times greater than that of “28 Days Later,” given the 23-year age gap between them and the addition of top-tier actors in the cast. However, a larger budget doesn’t guarantee it will be more successful at the box office.

28 Days Later stands out as an exceptional horror movie in the annals of cinema. Director Danny Boyle showcased his ingenuity by working within a modest budget, eschewing computer-generated imagery and filming the haunting London scenes at dawn to steer clear of the bustling crowds.

What truly sealed its success were the flawless characters, engaging plot, and outstanding acting, particularly from Cillian Murphy. Adding to this was an exceptional soundtrack. As a result, it garnered a global box office revenue of $84.6 million, alongside praise from critics.

In continuation of the 28 Weeks Later sequel, a new installment titled 28 Years Later is expected to revive the horror franchise. Director Danny Boyle is at the helm, while Alex Garland resumes his role as writer. Additionally, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have signed on to star in this upcoming production.

28 Years Later budget explained

However, it’s not just the cast that’s contributing to the movie’s estimated $75 million budget; an unexpectedly high cost is also coming from the filming technique. Intriguingly, the primary camera system for 28 Years Later is an unconventional one – Apple phones.

Specifically, they employed iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras that had been customized with high-end cinematography lenses, connecting up to twenty of these iPhones onto a single support structure.

28 Years Later represents the first significant Hollywood film to extensively employ iPhones in its production, following trailblazing examples like Sean Baker’s Tangerine and Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane, which were early adopters of using iPhones for movie shooting.

You might assume that setting up multiple smartphones for filming would lower costs, but in practice, it’s quite expensive to equip them with high-end accessories, software, and make necessary post-production adjustments – particularly when aiming to achieve the cinematic quality of a large-scale horror movie.

Apart from those specific areas, the budget has also been allocated elsewhere. With stars such as Jodie Comer (from Killing Eve) and Taylor-Johnson (future Kraven the Hunter) involved, along with Murphy serving as executive producer, it’s clear that a significant portion of the $75 million cost will go towards their salaries.

Enhancing it with grander action scenes, advanced visual effects, and the challenge of rejuvenating a cherished franchise, it’s quite understandable that 28 Years Later’s production costs soared to approximately ten times more than its precursor.

Nevertheless, initial indications suggest a potentially profitable outcome – particularly since ticket presales are currently surpassing those of other notable horror films.

28 Years Later beats 2025 horror movie record

2025’s top horror film pre-seller title has been claimed by Fandango’s “28 Years Later,” outperforming both “Sinners” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines.” This impressive feat was accomplished just a day after tickets went on sale, which happened on June 3.

Besides leading the pack among this year’s horror movies, it’s also surpassing the anticipated earnings of 2024 releases like Nosferatu and Alien: Romulus. According to Deadline, it’s projected to collect an impressive $34 million in its first weekend at the box office.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the trailer for the upcoming film in 2024 was the second most viewed horror movie preview ever, only falling slightly behind It Chapter Two. However, there’s no need to worry about the increased budget as… not really. To put it simply, no.

Horror films often outshine their production costs at the box office, and “28 Days Later” benefits from several factors such as the reputation of directors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, an A-list cast, and a dedicated audience base.

Jerramy Hainline, the executive vice president of Fandango, expressed excitement over the strong demand for “28 Years Later” as it went on sale, saying, “We’re delighted to witness moviegoers eagerly purchasing their tickets on its opening day.

For more than two decades, this franchise has held horror enthusiasts spellbound, and now that it’s back, we can’t wait to deliver an exhilarating experience to the viewers.

As a gamer, I’m hyped about the early hype and pre-sales of “28 Years Later” suggesting that it might not just make some cash, but set a whole new standard for gaming greatness!

28 Years Later premieres on June 20, 2025, with its sequel, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, scheduled for release on January 16, 2026. You can also find out why Jodie Comer felt apprehensive during filming and discover our roundup of the top zombie movies ever made.

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2025-06-06 12:48