“Bone Temple” Premieres, Earning $2.1 Million in Previews

The long-awaited sequel, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” has debuted with $2.1 million in previews on the MLK weekend. This figure is notably lower than last year’s $5.8 million previews for “28 Years Later,” which benefited from the Juneteenth holiday. Despite the lower earnings, “The Bone Temple” remains the primary major studio release for this holiday weekend.

Box Office Expectations

Industry analysts project “The Bone Temple” will gross between $20 million and $22 million over the extended weekend. It is set to compete against “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which is expected to earn around $19 million in its fifth weekend.

Previous Success of the Franchise

The original “28 Years Later” premiered in June 2025 with an impressive opening of $30 million, influenced by a $14.4 million Friday and preview earnings. Directed by Danny Boyle, the first installment set high expectations for its sequel, now helmed by Nia DaCosta, known for “Candyman.”

Audience Demographics and Reviews

Demographic data indicates that “28 Years Later” attracted a male-dominated audience. Approximately 75% of attendees were aged 25 and older, with men in this group constituting nearly half of the viewership. Women over 25 accounted for 37%, marking them as the second-largest demographic.

Critical reception has been highly favorable for “The Bone Temple,” boasting a 94% approval rating from critics. The current PostTrak score stands at an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars, suggesting that audiences are enjoying the film.

Top Competitors

Here’s a snapshot of the top five films at the box office during the week:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash – 3,700 theaters, Weekly Earnings: $28.9 million (down 47%), Total: $350 million, Week 4
• The Housemaid – 3,123 theaters, Weekly Earnings: $15.6 million (down 29%), Total: $98.6 million, Week 4
• Primate – 2,964 theaters, Weekly Earnings: $14.5 million, Week 1
• Zootopia 2 – 3,200 theaters, Weekly Earnings: $12.4 million (down 48%), Total: $381.2 million, Week 7
• Marty Supreme – 2,512 theaters, Weekly Earnings: $10.9 million (down 42%), Total: $73.4 million, Week 4

“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is poised for a promising run, as it captures the excitement of moviegoers and contributes to the competitive box office landscape this MLK weekend.