With 28 Years Later on the horizon, fans of Danny Boyle’s iconic zombie thriller are racing to revisit—or discover for the first time—the haunting world of 28 Days Later. Here’s where to stream it in the UK, what to know about the earlier sequel 28 Weeks Later, and how the new film reboots the apocalyptic story two decades on.
Why 28 Days Later still matters
When 28 Days Later premiered in 2002, it didn’t just inject new life into the zombie genre—it reshaped it entirely. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film’s premise was terrifying in its simplicity: a mysterious virus wipes out civilisation in the span of a month, turning the infected into feral, fast-moving predators. Waking from a coma in a desolate London, Cillian Murphy’s character Jim is thrown into a nightmare of survival, loss, and moral reckoning.
What made 28 Days Later unforgettable wasn’t just its horror elements—it was its emotional grit, eerie realism, and political undertones. Set against a backdrop of deserted London streets and societal collapse, it reflected a very modern kind of fear: that danger isn’t only from the monsters outside, but also from within the institutions that claim to protect us. It’s no surprise that, over 20 years later, the film remains a cultural touchstone. With 28 Years Later set to continue this legacy, revisiting the original isn’t just a nostalgic trip—it’s essential context.
How to watch 28 Days Later in the UK right now
If you’re looking to catch up before the release of 28 Years Later, there are several easy ways to watch 28 Days Later in the UK. Most notably, the film is now streaming on BBC iPlayer, available to those with a TV licence.
For those without access to iPlayer, other streaming platforms also offer the film for rental or purchase, including NOW, Sky Store, and Apple TV. Whether you’re rewatching or seeing it for the first time, these platforms provide access to the gritty, genre-defining horror film that started it all.
Wait—wasn’t there a 28 Weeks Later?
Yes, and it’s worth mentioning. In 2007, 28 Weeks Later was released as a follow-up to the original. While it carried some narrative continuity—particularly around the spread of the Rage Virus—it wasn’t directed by Danny Boyle. Instead, Boyle stepped back into the role of executive producer, with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo taking the directorial reins. The film starred Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne, and Idris Elba, and explored the efforts to repopulate a post-virus Britain.
While 28 Weeks Later is a solid horror thriller in its own right, it won’t be considered canon in the upcoming 28 Years Later. Boyle and Garland have confirmed that their new trilogy (yes, 28 Years Later is just the beginning of a three-part story) draws inspiration almost exclusively from the original film—not the sequel. So, for those wanting the essentials: stick with 28 Days Later as your go-to primer for what’s coming next.
Why 28 Years Later ignores 28 Weeks Later
In recent interviews, Boyle has been clear: 28 Years Later is a spiritual successor to the original film, not a continuation of the broader universe introduced in 28 Weeks Later. Speaking to Collider, Boyle explained that the second film’s plot points—particularly the idea that certain people might be immune to the Rage Virus, and that the virus had spread to mainland Europe—will not carry over.
“We decided to base this trilogy being inspired by the first film,” Boyle said. “Not just in terms of character, as the Cillian Murphy character eventually appears, but also in terms of the definition of the virus, its behaviour, and reactions to it.”
Boyle also reflected on what made 28 Days Later unique: its distinctly British setting. “It was just that land. And it was extraordinary thinking about something that powerful breaking out in that particular space, and it had to be dealt with by the inhabitants of that land.”
This deliberate narrowing of the narrative scope gives 28 Years Later a renewed focus, stripping away the more global themes introduced in 28 Weeks Later and returning the story to its roots—something Boyle and Garland believe is vital to the power of the trilogy’s next act.
What to expect from 28 Years Later
While full plot details are still under wraps, what we do know about 28 Years Later is enough to spark major anticipation. The cast includes A-listers like Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, and Cillian Murphy will reportedly reprise his role in some capacity.
Tonally, the film promises to be just as tense, cerebral, and socially aware as the first. If 28 Days Later explored fear and collapse in the immediate aftermath of infection, 28 Years Later is poised to ask bigger questions: What happens to society decades after disaster? How do survivors rebuild—or fall apart?
For fans of the original, the promise of Boyle and Garland reuniting is reason enough to care. Their creative synergy was what made 28 Days Later both gripping horror and meaningful cinema. If they can recapture even part of that energy in 28 Years Later, it could be one of the most important horror releases in years.
Bottom line: If you’re planning to watch 28 Years Later, 28 Days Later is your essential viewing—and luckily, it’s never been easier to stream in the UK. Whether you’re revisiting the haunting, empty streets of post-apocalyptic London or experiencing them for the first time, now is the perfect moment to reconnect with one of the most influential horror films of the 21st century. 28 Years Later is currently in production. 28 Days Later is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, NOW, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
