The latest entry in the enduring zombie franchise, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has hit theaters but is navigating a challenging box office landscape. As collectors and retailers monitor these developments, understanding the impact this cinematic release has on merchandise and collectibles is essential.
After premiering just seven months post the last installment, The Bone Temple is contending with formidable competition from Avatar: Fire and Ash during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Despite commendable reviews and positive audience feedback, the film managed to earn $5.6 million on its opening Friday, with expectations to reach around $15 million for the four-day weekend. This is a marked drop compared to the $30 million debut of the original 28 Days Later.
In stark contrast, Avatar 3, now in its fifth weekend, grossed $3.2 million on Friday and is projected to bring in $17 million for the extended weekend, amassing over $353.4 million in domestic earnings and surpassing $1.23 billion globally. The modest box office returns of The Bone Temple may indicate potential challenges for associated collectibles and merchandise, if audience engagement does not translate into sustained viewership.
The franchise, known for its origins from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, continues under the direction of Nia DaCosta with The Bone Temple being the anticipated second part of a trilogy. Sony has confirmed a planned third installment featuring original star Cillian Murphy, with Boyle returning to the director’s chair. For collectors, this news is promising, as established franchises with continuity often drive interest in associated collectible items.
In terms of reception, The Bone Temple boasts strong ratings, with a 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, an A- CinemaScore—which is particularly favorable for a horror title—and an impressive 4.5 rating from PostTrak, indicating that positive word-of-mouth could enhance its box office legs. The cast features notable names such as Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry, which may bolster interest in collectible merchandise tied to the film.
In addition to The Bone Temple, there are other noteworthy releases affecting the box office landscape for collectors. Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is expanding its theater release following its Golden Globe success, while Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme continues to perform well, potentially indicating uptrends in collectible demand based on successful award seasons.
As the box office results unfold, industry stakeholders should keep a keen eye on how the performance of The Bone Temple influences the collectibles market. The numbers achieved during these opening weekends can set the tone for future merchandising strategies and product releases tied to the franchise.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/28-years-later-the-bone-temple-1236476942/.