20 Horror Movie Box Office Bombs EVERYONE Saw Coming
2. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
When 28 Weeks Later released as a follow-up to 28 Days Later, it was something of a dud both critically and commercially. However, 28 Years Later followed (22 years later, in truth), and grossed more than the previous two films combined.
It was incredibly well received, and when 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple followed, it garnered similar reviews but earned just $58 million, the least of the entire franchise. The Bone Temple had a lot going for it, but all this to say that it's surprising that Nia DaCosta's effort flopping wasn't actually that surprising.
It may not have been expected to bomb quite so badly, as drawing less intake than 28 Days and 28 Weeks is utterly catastrophic, and has put the previously planned threequel in jeopardy, but there were signs that this wouldn't be a commercial hit like its predecessor.
Firstly, while 28 Years Later enjoyed a summer release, The Bone Temple was stuck with a notoriously difficult January release, and coming just six months after Danny Boyle's return to the franchise, it was never going to draw the right amount of people. It's also entirely plausible that the bizarre ending to 28 Years Later - introducing the Jimmy Savile-inspired Jimmy Crystal - may have put a lot of people off the upcoming sequel. It's a pity, as Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell's performances in particular deserved to be seen by as many people as possible.