28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle's visceral, genre-defining horror thriller that reimagined viral apocalypse and launched Cillian Murphy to international stardom.

28 Days Later - Movie Information

  • Original Title: 28 Days Later
  • Release Year: 2002
  • Directed by: Danny Boyle
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi
  • Age Rating (US): R
  • Runtime: 1h 53m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: Spanish, English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): October 31, 2002 (Australia - MA 15+), June 27, 2003 (United States - R), June 27, 2003 (Canada - 18A), November 1, 2002 (United Kingdom - 18), June 5, 2003 (Germany - 18), May 28, 2003 (France - 16), October 9, 2003 (New Zealand - R16), August 29, 2003 (Brazil - 16), August 15, 2003 (Mexico - C), June 13, 2003 (Italy - VM14), July 18, 2003 (Spain - 18), September 18, 2003 (South Korea - 19)
  • Alternative Titles: 28日後 (HK), 28 dager senere (NO), 28 Tage später (AT), Extermínio: Os Dias Estão Contados (BR), Exterminio (MX), 28 يوما لاحقا (SA), 28 päivää myöhemmin (FI), 28 giorni dopo (IT)
  • Production Companies: DNA Films
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

28 Days Later - Plot

Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs -- and it's absolutely impossible to contain.

28 Days Later - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the terror of a world consumed by rage:

The days are numbered.

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28 Days Later - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Danny Boyle

Main Cast

  • Cillian Murphy
  • Naomie Harris
  • Brendan Gleeson
  • Megan Burns
  • Christopher Eccleston
  • Noah Huntley
  • Luke Mably
  • Stuart McQuarrie
  • Ricci Harnett
  • Leo Bill

Writers

  • Alex Garland

Producers

  • Andrew Macdonald

28 Days Later - FAQs

Where can you stream 28 Days Later?

28 Days Later is available to stream on Shudder, AMC+, and Philo in the United States. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current regional availability.

Are the infected in 28 Days Later actually zombies?

Technically, no. The infected in 28 Days Later are living humans overtaken by the Rage virus, not reanimated corpses. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland deliberately avoided the traditional zombie concept, creating fast, frenzied, virus-driven antagonists that redefined the genre for a new generation.

What is 28 Days Later about?

28 Days Later follows Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find London deserted after a devastating viral outbreak. Joining a small group of survivors, he navigates a ravaged Britain overrun by the rage-infected, confronting both the infected and the dangerous remnants of humanity itself.

Who are the main actors in 28 Days Later?

The film stars Cillian Murphy as Jim, Naomie Harris as Selena, Brendan Gleeson as Frank, Megan Burns as Hannah, and Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West. It marked an early breakthrough role for Cillian Murphy and helped launch Naomie Harris toward international recognition.

Is 28 Days Later based on a true story?

No, 28 Days Later is not based on a true story. Screenwriter Alex Garland drew inspiration from Richard Matheson's novel I Am Legend, John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids, and real-world anxieties around viral outbreaks and societal collapse, crafting an entirely original fictional scenario.

What is the age rating for 28 Days Later?

28 Days Later is rated R in the United States for strong violence and gore, language, and some sexuality and nudity. In the United Kingdom it carries an 18 certificate. The film contains intense scenes of brutality, disturbing imagery, and themes of societal breakdown unsuitable for younger audiences.

How long is 28 Days Later?

28 Days Later has a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes (113 minutes). The film maintains a relentless pace throughout, balancing quiet, tension-building sequences with explosive bursts of horror and action across its near two-hour running time.

Did 28 Days Later win any awards or critical acclaim?

28 Days Later earned widespread critical acclaim and several award nominations, including a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film. It holds a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely credited with revitalizing the horror genre. Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle's DV photography was particularly praised for its raw, visceral quality.

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