Netflix has just become home to one of the many great summer movies that hit the big screen over the last few months: post-apocalyptic horror threequel, “28 Years Later.”
Two decades on from the franchise’s first outing, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland reunited to bring us this fresh odyssey into a Britain still plagued by the Rage Virus. And if you missed it in theaters, thrill-seekers can watch the latest installment — and its 2002 precursor, “28 Days Later” — on Netflix in the U.S.
Both movies came to the streaming service on Saturday, September 20, and “28 Years Later” has quickly captivated curious streamers, having shot straight to the No. 2 spot in the streamer’s most-watched movie charts (second only to “Ice Road: Vengeance,” at the time of writing).
With the sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” set to continue this tragic tale in just a couple of months’ time, now’s as good a time as ever to revisit this intense watch (or experience this strange, gory story for the very first time. And if you need a little more convincing, here’s a bit more info about Netflix’s new arrival, and why I (and many critics) think you should watch “28 Years Later.”
What is ’28 Years Later’ about?
Nearly three decades on from the initial outbreak of the rage virus that transformed ordinary people into terrifying, zombie-like creatures, “28 Years Later” takes us to Northern England to tell the story of a new group of survivors.
Britain remains under a strict quarantine, but a community living on the island of Lindisfarne has managed to eke out a living. It’s within this settlement that we meet 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams), who’s forced to confront the horrors and secrets lurking on the mainland as he leaves his safe home behind and embarks on a perilous mission on English soil.
In addition to Alfie Williams, “28 Years Later” also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Edvin Ryding, and Jack O’Connell.
Why you should stream ’28 Years Later’ on Netflix
At this point, I think it’s safe to say this has been a pretty great year for movies by now, and “28 Years Later” is just one of the many thrilling watches that hit the silver screen throughout 2025.
I can understand why some would-be viewers might not have checked “28 Years Later” out: the proliferation of zombie and zombie-adjacent entertainment this century could have you wondering what “28 Years Later” can offer that’s different.
If that’s you, trust me: this movie is worth making time for. “28 Years Later” is at times funny, dark, and utterly gripping, boasts some incredible, moving performances from its major players, looks incredible, and it packs in some serious surprises. It’s a must-see, in my eyes.
You don’t need to take my word for it, though: “28 Years Later” comes highly recommended, too. Fellow TG writer Alix Blackburn gave it a glowing write-up in our “28 Years Later” review, calling the movie “a brutal, emotional, and harrowing new chapter” for the franchise earlier this year.
Elsewhere, “28 Years Later” holds an impressive 89% score from critics on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes (from a total of 383 accredited reviews, no less. The site’s critical consensus reads: “28 Years Later taps into contemporary anxieties with the ferocious urgency of someone infected with Rage Virus, delivering a haunting and visceral thrill ride that defies expectations.”
As an example of what critics had to say, Entertainment Weekly’s Jordan Hoffman called “28 Years Later” “one of the richest horror movies in a very long time,” praising it as “strange, unpredictable, gloriously revolting, darkly funny, and, when you least expect it, rather touching.”
Empire’s Ben Travers offered similar praise in his 4-star review, writing: “the sequel we needed is both the film you expect, and the one you don’t. There’s blood, but also real guts and brain and heart — visceral cinema soaked in viscera.”
Finally, RogerEbert.com’s Robert Daniels gave “28 Years Later” a 3.5/4-star rating, pitching it as “an at times tonally daring and whimsically transportive coming-of-age zombie film” and “a gnarly piece of gruesome art.”
In short: if you’re looking for a blood-soaked thriller that’ll keep you on your toes, you should absolutely stream “28 Years Later” on Netflix (and don’t forget the streamer also added the original movie that kicked the franchise off on the same day!).
Already seen “28 Years Later?” We can still help you find your next Netflix must-watch: check out our round-up of the best movies on Netflix for tons more top streaming recommendations perfect for your next film night.
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