In 2025, we saw the return of the 28 Days Later series with 28 Years Later, which drew a lot of attention, with divisive responses from audiences. Despite fans’ varied reactions to the film, folks were still excited to learn about 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, especially since the two films were shot back-to-back. With Nia DaCosta as the director, there is definite promise for what will unfold.
Before backflipping to the theaters for the latest in the infection franchise, there are plenty of films that are worth checking out to ready yourself for the continuation of this saga. From post-apocalyptic horror to zombie flicks and more, each subgenre includes elements that deal with stressful situations. And each selection highlights a different layer of the series itself.
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Get ready for a handful of British horror films, dystopian mayhem, and infected characters. There’s no doubt that you’ll find something to prime you for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Director: George A. Romero
Writer: George A. Romero and John Russo
George A. Romero’s debut horror film is both a classic and the reason we have the zombie (or infected) horror films we do now – even if the “zombies” in question weren’t labeled as such in the film itself. Night of the Living Dead follows a group of strangers who barricade themselves in a farmhouse to escape relentlessly hungry zombies. Romero’s influence on the genre has been long-lasting, and it’s easy to understand why when watching the film for the first time.
Another thing to note is that the lead character is a Black man who does his best to survive throughout the film. There aren’t nearly as many Black leads in zombie films, not even in modern film. Therefore, it remains a vital horror film for representation. If you’re looking to brush up on your zombie or infected horror, this is a great place to start.
Where to watch: Netflix, HBO Max, Pluto, Tubi, and Prime Video
Dawn of the Dead (2003)
Director: Zack Snyder
Writer: James Gunn
Imagine the horror of being stuck in a shopping mall while zombies try to break in and eat you alive. Dawn of the Dead follows a group of survivors who gather together in a shopping mall during the zombie apocalypse. Whether you’ve seen George A. Romero’s original classic or not, this remake is regarded favorably by horror fans. Especially when it comes to 2000s horror remakes.
The isolation that the characters feel while being stuck in the mall is realistically portrayed in Dawn of the Dead. And while there are a range of characters, some of whom aren’t worth rooting for, you’ll still find yourself hoping most of the group makes it out in the end. If you’re someone who enjoys zombie horror that happens to be set in suburban areas, you’ll get a kick out of this chaotic gem.
Where to watch: Netflix
I Am Legend (2007)
Director: Francis Lawrence
Writer: Akiva Goldsman and Mark Protosevich
A post-apocalyptic landscape where you might be the only person left sounds even worse than zombies running around. I Am Legend is based on a novel of the same name and follows Dr. Neville (Will Smith), who desperately seeks to create a cure to bring back humanity, all while trying to survive against the mutants who come out at night. Instead of humanity being an issue alongside infected folks or zombies, the lack of human interaction is part of what plagues Neville—his only companion is his loyal dog, who sticks by his side.
I Am Legend isn’t just an action-horror bonanza, either – there’s an emotionally driven story underneath it all. A desperate man who longs for the world to be better, who loses quite a bit along the way. On top of that, Will Smith’s performance will make you really appreciate the film’s emotional beats.
Where to watch: Apple TV+, Prime Video
Rec (2007)
Director: Jaume Balagueró
Writer: Paco Plaza
Rec fits in because of the frantic infection aspect: the film follows a reporter and others who are stuck in a building where an infection is spreading, and they are unable to leave. The film is shot in a found-footage style and thus differs astronomically from 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in its direction. What they have in common is that people are getting infected, which makes them act rabid, and the spread is hard to stop.
Rec is one of those zombie films that’ll have you feeling extremely on edge. The film isn’t promising its audience a happy ending, and while the result shouldn’t be too unexpected, it doesn’t dull its impact. If nothing else, Rec may help you get pumped up about infected people mayhem.
Where to watch: Tubi
The Crazies (2010)
Director: Breck Eisner
Writer: Scott Kosar and Ray Wright
Horror remakes that improve upon their respective films are wonderful to experience as horror fans. The Crazies follows a small town that descends into madness after a virus makes people act extremely violently. Just like in the original, this remake of The Crazies features many shocking, stressful scenes. The Crazies taps into fears of society collapsing and of what a single virus can do to a small community in a short time.
Hopelessness is a common thread in this particular genre, and that’s captured well by the characters in The Crazies. The endgame for these characters is merely surviving and avoiding infection because that would result in harming loved ones. The ending, in particular, will leave you unnerved because of the implications of what’s going to happen to people outside of the community.
Where to watch: Tubi, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, YouTube TV
The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
Director: Colm McCarthy
Writer: Mike Carey
The Girl with All the Gifts is set in a dystopian world and follows a group of individuals trying to survive and develop a cure for a disease that wiped out most of humanity.
Based on the book of the same name, The Girl with All the Gifts explores the idea of self-sacrifice for the greater good and why someone might not want to do so. All of the characters in the film exist in the grey area and are willing to do what is necessary or what they find right. And that sparks thought-provoking conversations about what one might do if they were in the main characters’ position.
The Girl with All the Gifts manages to do something different with its overall direction and the ending. Just like the world of 28 Days Later, there’s no such thing as a happy ending for these characters. The environment won’t magically change just because people hope it will, and there’s death all around them at all times. If you want a story in which a Black girl is one of the most important characters, with complex themes and a startling ending, The Girl with All the Gifts may be for you.
Where to watch: Tubi, Pluto, Fandango at Home, Prime Video
Train to Busan (2016)
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writer: Park Joo-suk
Train to Busan is an absolute must-watch as it approaches its zombie story and the overall hopelessness of the world it exists in. Train to Busan follows a father, his daughter, and other passengers on a train who experience the beginning of a zombie apocalypse. Without a doubt, this film is one of the best zombie horror films ever. The performances are incredible, the zombies terrifying, and you grow to care deeply about the characters and their fates.
The setting, mostly on the train, provides an extra amount of unease because it’s a confined space. Not to mention how it intensifies the struggle to survive. Train to Busan is one of those films you need to experience without spoilers, simply to experience the full emotional impact. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you’re a fan of Korean horror.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Pluto TV
Army of the Dead (2021)
Director: Zack Snyder
Writer: Zack Snyder
Zombies, heists, tigers, and Vegas in absolute shambles because of the zombies, oh my! Army of the Dead follows a group of individuals who are tasked with retrieving money from a safe, which happens to be located in Vegas, where zombies have completely taken over. Placing the zombie apocalypse in a place where people go to have fun is quite clever. Though this film isn’t just about the zombies, it’s also about the relationships between the characters and how risking it all for money isn’t always wise.
Director Zack Snyder brings his particular brand to zombie films once again with Army of the Dead. If you find yourself craving a sprinkle of humor, action horror madness, and a lot of unique characters, this may be your jam for a post-apocalyptic horror binge. Especially if you’re a lover of people being brave in the face of perilous apocalyptic battles.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Sadness (2022)
Director: Rob Jabbaz
Writer: Rob Jabbaz
For a film like The Sadness, make sure to proceed with caution and heed all of the many content and trigger warnings – the horror involved is extreme. The Sadness follows a couple who experience absolute terror when a viral outbreak infects people throughout their city, leading the infected to excessive bouts of impulsive violence. While that sounds like a typical infection film, it’s far from that because people are doing more than just ripping folks apart and or eating them. There’s extreme bloodshed, mayhem, sexual violence, and graphic violence depicted throughout.
If you’re someone who likes to challenge themselves or even enjoys splatter as well as extreme horror, this may be your jam. Just like with the 28 Days Later series, the infected people in The Sadness move quickly as they relentlessly look for their victims. It’s an intense Taiwanese horror film that’ll make you grab your nearest stuffed animal for comfort. And much like many zombie or infection films, there’s a timely edge to it as we watch as people refuse to take the infection seriously until it’s too late.
Where to watch: AMC+
28 Years Later (2025)
Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Alex Garland
It may be an incredibly divisive film amongst fans of the first film, but it’s still well-shot and terrifically acted. 28 Years Later follows a young boy who ventures out with his sick mother to seek treatment from a doctor. Instead of focusing on the infected people ripping survivors apart the entire film, 28 Years Later is a coming-of-age horror film that’s focused on the emotional beats of the story it’s telling. Therefore, it’s best not to go into the film expecting a bloodbath.
Considering 28 Years Later is taking place after the events of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, it’s necessary to watch it at least once. There’s quite a bit to appreciate about the film’s style, the acting, the commitment to emotional moments, and the horror of growing up in an environment where survival and rebuilding are all there is. Not to mention, you’re sure to go wide-eyed when you see the Alpha (Chi Lewis-Parry) for the first time.
Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video
These horror films all offer some component that may get you excited for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Whether that’s due to the threat of zombies (or infected people), characters having to survive in a post-apocalyptic environment, and so on, these films will immerse you in the carnage and chaos the characters are undergoing.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arrives in theaters on January 16th, 2026 in the US and Canada.
