28 Years Later is a 2025 continuation of the world of 28 Days Later, but Sony’s official trailer page does not confirm that Cillian Murphy appears onscreen. It credits him as an executive producer and lists Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes as cast. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film follows survivors venturing from a defended island into the infected mainland.
Does Cillian Murphy appear in 28 Years Later?
Sony’s official trailer and film page credits Murphy as an executive producer, not among the listed cast. That confirms his role behind the film, but does not establish an onscreen appearance. The listed cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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28 Years Later - Blu-ray + Digital | $18.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - Blu-ray + Digital | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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28 Years Later - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $22.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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28 Years Later - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $38.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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![28 Weeks Later [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ph8zkJRmL._SL160_.jpg)
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28 Weeks Later [Blu-Ray] | $25.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Murphy is closely associated with the franchise because he played Jim in the original 28 Days Later. Sony describes Jim as a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma in a deserted London hospital. His connection to the original is not, by itself, confirmation that he returns as a character in the new film.
What is the trailer’s story?
Sony’s synopsis places the story almost three decades after the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Some survivors remain in quarantine under strict enforcement. One group has made its home on a small island linked to the mainland by a single defended causeway.
#1 Best Overall
- Decades after the rage virus outbreak, survivors live in isolation. When one leaves his ruthlessly quarantined island sanctuary, he uncovers haunting secrets and mutations in both the infected and the remaining humans. From director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland comes a bold return to the world of 28 Days Later.
When one member travels inland, he encounters secrets, wonders and horrors involving both infected people and other survivors. The premise moves the story beyond the island’s defenses and into a mainland shaped by the outbreak.
How does the film connect to 28 Days Later?
Sony describes 28 Years Later as set in the world created by 28 Days Later. The original film’s official synopsis begins with animal-rights activists freeing infected chimpanzees; Jim later discovers that a virus drives its victims into murderous rage. The new film carries that outbreak setting forward, with Boyle directing and Garland writing.
Rank #2
- Dr. Kelson finds himself in a shocking new relationship - with consequences that could change the world as they know it - and Spike's encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can't escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival - the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.
Boyle has also explained why the filmmakers call the threats “infected” rather than zombies. In a TIME interview published June 16, 2025, he said: “We had this thing about, ‘No, they’re not zombies. They’re infected,’” adding that they “weren’t undead” and could die. That is the filmmakers’ terminology for this franchise, not a universal rule for horror films.
Where can you watch 28 Years Later?
Sony’s current US film page lists 28 Years Later as available on Blu-ray and digital. Check Sony’s page for current format details and retailer links; edition, stock and digital service availability can vary by territory and change over time.
Rank #3
- Decades after the rage virus outbreak, survivors live in isolation. When one leaves his ruthlessly quarantined island sanctuary, he uncovers haunting secrets and mutations in both the infected and the remaining humans. From director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland comes a bold return to the world of 28 Days Later.
For the story’s starting point, Sony’s official 28 Days Later page provides information about the original film and Jim’s role in it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the trailer’s early attention means
TIME reported in June 2025 that the trailer had the second-highest first-24-hour view count of any horror-movie trailer at that point, behind It Chapter Two. That was a time-specific ranking reported by TIME, not a current all-time ranking or a studio-published statistic.
Rank #4
- Decades after the rage virus outbreak, survivors live in isolation. When one leaves his ruthlessly quarantined island sanctuary, he uncovers haunting secrets and mutations in both the infected and the remaining humans. From director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland comes a bold return to the world of 28 Days Later.
TIME also reported that the original 28 Days Later grossed more than $80 million worldwide against a reported $8 million budget. Those are TIME’s reported figures for the original film, not for 28 Years Later.
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