In a surprising turn of events, the latest installment of the “28 Days Later” franchise, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has claimed the top spot at the box office, effectively ending the four-week dominance of Avatar: Fire and Ash. This new release grossed an impressive $5.5 million on its opening day, showcasing a blend of horror and dark humor that has resonated with audiences.
The film features Ralph Fiennes reprising his role as Dr. Ian Kelson. Critics have lauded his performance, with one review from The Post highlighting it as “the craziest performance of the year.” This sequel builds on the success of its predecessor, 28 Years Later, released in 2025, and has already sparked significant interest among fans of the genre.
Despite its strong opening, the third installment of the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, didn’t falter entirely, bringing in $3.2 million on its fifth Friday. This figure indicates that the film still maintains a solid following, albeit now in a competitive landscape.
In third place, the 25th-anniversary re-release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring drew in over $3.16 million. This revival, along with the other two films in the trilogy, reflects the enduring popularity of the franchise. Zootopia 2, Disney’s animated sequel, came in fourth with a revenue of $1.9 million on its eighth Friday in theaters.
The fifth spot was occupied by Marty Supreme, which has garnered attention for Timothée Chalamet’s performance, earning him a Golden Globe just days prior, with reported earnings exceeding $1.6 million.
As box office dynamics continue to shift, it remains to be seen how 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will perform in the coming weeks amid fierce competition. The film’s unique take on the horror genre appears to have captivated audiences, providing a fresh narrative that stands in stark contrast to the more established franchises currently in theaters.
The entertainment landscape is ever-evolving, and with January 17, 2026, marking a significant date for the box office, viewers can expect a continuing battle for cinematic supremacy in the weeks ahead.
