Could '28 Years Later' contend for Oscars? Here's the complete awards history of the '28' franchise.
Originally published April 17; updated June 17 at 12:15 p.m. PT
The most frightening zombies to ever appear on the big screen are back on Friday, and faster than ever. But can they run all the way to the 2026 Oscars?
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Set almost three decades after 28 Days Later (2003) and 28 Weeks Later (2007), the first two films in Alex Garland's horror franchise, 28 Years Later is scheduled for theatrical release on June 20. Garland is back as the writer and Danny Boyle, who directed the first flick, returns to direct. (Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directed and cowrote the sequel.) Watch the trailer below.
Garland recently told Business Insider that sequels have become less profitable through the years, and that the Marvel behemoth is partly to blame. "I think sequels are seen as diminishing returns," he said. "I don't wanna sort of throw shade as it were, but Marvel has something to do with this," the writer added. "It's not a criticism of Marvel, I just think people got oversaturated."
Reviews for 28 Years Later are expected to be released on Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, just two days before the movie hits theaters. Sony says the late embargo date is to keep spoilers at a minimum.
28 Years Later stars Jodie Comer as Isla, a pregnant woman; Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie, a scavenger and Isla's husband; and Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson, a knowledgable fellow survivor. The plot follows a group of people who've avoided zombie attacks for decades by living on an isolated island. When one member goes to the mainland, he discovers that the monsters — as well as the human survivors — have mutated.
Neither of the first two films was recognized at the Oscars, though they did contend at other awards shows. The good news? Horror movies like 28 Years Later occasionally do receive Academy Award nominations, particularly in the craft categories, suggesting Oscar voters aren't too afraid of the genre.
Mubi
Earlier this year, The Substance (2024) received five overall bids: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Coralie Fargeat, Best Actress for Demi Moore, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling; it won the latter. Moore starred as an aging Hollywood star named Elisabeth Sparkle who, in an effort to stay relevant, injected herself with a substance that created a younger, sexier version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) remains the only horror flick to win Best Picture at the Oscars. In addition, it took home top prizes for Anthony Hopkins in Best Actor for playing iconic cannibal Hannibal Lecter, and Jodie Foster in Best Actress as FBI cadet Clarice Starling. The landmark film also won Best Director for Jonathan Demme and Best Adapted Screenplay for Ted Tally, and earned bids in Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
Another spooky movie that found success at the Academy Awards is The Exorcist (1973). Linda Blair was nominated in Best Supporting Actress for playing a girl possessed by the devil. Ellen Burstyn was a Best Actress nominee for playing her petrified mother, and Jason Miller, as a skeptical priest, was up for Best Supporting Actor. The film received 10 total noms, including Best Picture and Best Director for William Friedkin, and won Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay for William Peter Blatty.
Other performers to win for frightening roles include Kathy Bates (Misery, 1990) as an obsessed fan, Natalie Portman (Black Swan, 2010) as a traumatic ballerina, and Ruth Gordon (Rosemary's Baby, 1968) as a satan-worshipping neighbor. But aren't we here to talk about zombies?
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To date, the only zombie movies to receive Oscar attention were King of the Zombies (1941) in Best Score, Young Frankenstein (1974) in Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound, Frankenstein (1994) in Best Makeup, and Frankenweenie (2012) in Best Animated Feature. There's some debate about whether Emma Stone's character in Poor Things (2023) is actually a zombie, considering she was brought back to life via a brain transplant, but that film received 11 bids and won four: Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design.
Speaking of that Best Makeup category, since its creation in 1981, genre films like An American Werewolf in London (1981), The Fly (1986), Beetlejuice (1988), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Pan's Labyrinth (2006), The Wolfman (2010), Poor Things, and The Substance have all taken home trophies. That suggests makeup/hair could be 28 Years Later's strongest shot at claiming Oscar gold next year.
Here is the complete awards history for the 28 Days Later franchise (so far). All are nominations unless designated with winner.
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, Brendan Gleeson
Plot: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the United Kingdom, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.
Awards history:
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Best Horror Film (winner), Best Director, Best Writing
British Independent Film Awards: Best British Independent Film, Best Director, Best Achievement in Production
Luxembourg International Film Festival: Best European Fantasy Film
European Film Awards: Best European Cinematographer (winner), Best European Director
Fantasporto Awards: Best Director (winner), Best European Fantasy Film (winner), Best Film
Hugo Awards: Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
International Horror Guild: Best Movie
Irish Film and Television Awards: Best Actor in a Film for Cillian Murphy
Motion Picture Sound Editors: Best Sound Editing in Foreign Features
MTV Movie + TV Awards: Breakthrough Male Performance for Cillian Murphy
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival: Best Feature Film (winner)
Online Film Critics Society Awards: Best Breakthrough Performance for Cillian Murphy, Best Sound
Taurus World Stunt Awards: Best Fire Stunt
Empire Awards: Best Newcomer, Best British film (winner)
Black Reel Awards: Best Breakthrough Performance for Naomie Harris (winner)
Cast: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Idris Elba
Plot: Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes according to plan.
Awards history:
BET Awards: Best Actor for Idris Elba
British Independent Film Awards: Most Promising Newcomer for Imogen Poots, Best Technical Achievement
Evening Standard British Film Awards: Best Technical Achievement
Málaga Spanish Film Festival: Spanish release of the movie (winner)
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival: Best Feature Film
Empire Awards: Best Horror (winner)
Golden Trailer Awards: Best Horror TV Spot, Best Horror Poster
Fright Meter Awards: Best Horror Movie, Best Director
Scream Awards: The Ultimate Scream, Best Sequel, Best Horror Movie (winner), "Jump-From-Your-Seat" Scene of the Year
Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes
Plot: A group of survivors of the rage virus lives on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors.
Awards history: TBD
There are two other films in the works: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, due out in 2026, with Nia DaCosta set to direct; and an untitled fifth film, with Boyle back at the helm. Garland is attached to both of these projects as the writer.
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Synopsis: It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. Whether society unscrupulously crawls towards its own demise or technology continues to overtake every facet of daily life, it's important to keep a physical record of our history, traditions, recipes, and way of life. If movies or our current political climate are any indication, cultism and factions are an almost certain outcome. While I don't think any of us wants a hopeless future, the hubris and greed of those in charge, and who harbor most of the wealth, take us down paths that affect us more than them. Stay informed, stay vigilant, stay woke, and stay together. 'The more you kill, the easier it gets.' If left to fend for yourself, do you end up like Jimmy, Spike, or one of the rage-riddled infected? I guess you'll have to watch to find out. From the enigmatic minds of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, 28 Years Later is grim sentimentality meets gruesome rite of passage. The highly anticipated third installment in the cult film franchise is thought-provoking, mystifying, potent, and the precise jolt the evolution of this universe needs to propel forward. While certain artistic and narrative choices are unusual or bizarre when compared to Days and Weeks , it's clear that a new direction is being taken. As every feature is connected by region and outbreak of the Rage Virus, like its predecessor, 28 Years Later is a standalone sequel. However, unlike its predecessor, this story and its characters will directly connect to its forthcoming sequel. Residing in a rebuilt future within a small, barricaded, makeshift community, those left behind and forgotten from the mainland have found a way to continue as a society. As subliminal flashes of vintage medieval footage permeate various sequences, we are reminded of how far these people have fallen, as the rest of the world outside Britain remains unblemished. Moreover, as we are taken through the secluded isle, the tight-knit population teeters on cult as 'Fail we may, but go we must' dominates a banner. As this tribe attempts to grow and thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, the story unfolds into a family-driven narrative intertwined with topical geo-politics. What begins with a traditional and transcendent adolescent rite of passage to the mainland to get a first kill soon turns into dysfunction, fear, and a coming-of-age journey of sorts. 'Memento mori.' As terror lurks behind every tree, over every hill, and swings a massive meat stick, there's no help in sight. It becomes evident that, like disasters and tragedies that take place outside of our purview, death and suffering persist as the rest of the world looks away or just moves on. While horror and trippiness endure, the focus on humanity rivals the first film. Highlighting the preservation and evolution of rituals, the moments are both beautiful and absurd. Alive with a pulse-pounding score and visceral cinematography, the film loses its footing with a sluggish middle and an abnormal climax. The ending, which sets up the planned sequel, feels like Robert Rodriguez crafted its tone and mood. 'Superman': DC's $225M Gamble To Save The DCU If you're looking for a fast-paced zombie massacre, this is not the movie for you. While it has its fair share of brutal kills and share-worthy moments, this post-apocalyptic allegory is more think piece than fright flick. Before the franchise's potentially exciting future is entertained, there is definitely plenty to unpack as it ponders and postulates life, death, and love. Its rewatchability is medium. Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) in Columbia Pictures' 28 YEARS LATER. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pace & Pop Contrary to what the poster or trailer may have led you to perceive, the film is much more of a slow burn than expected. While the first act delivers both shock and surprise, as the journey delves into its humanity, it slows to an exploratory creep. However, the threat of infection or violent death remains immediate. What popped for me was the creative chances Boyle took. The fever-dream flair, paired with the moments that would stimulate the inebriated, adds a clever splash of artistic panic to an already dire situation. Spike (Alfie Williams), Isla (Jodie Comer) and Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) in Columbia Pictures' 28 YEARS LATER. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Characters & Chemistry Starring: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes Anchored by strong emotional outings by some of the biggest names, young Alfie Williams delivers a standout performance. While Jodie Comer's Isla represents love and comfort, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Jamie depicts strength and deceit, Williams' Spike displays independence, courage, and bravery. Dr. Kelson, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, is the voice of reason, calm, and connection to the past. Jack O'Connell gives a glimpse of the future as Jimmy. And lastly, we all get really familiar with Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson. 28 Years Later gets unleashed in theaters on June 20, 2025. Stay safe and look out for Samson's alpha. Rated: R Runtime: 1h 55m Director: Danny Boyle Writer: Alex Garland Producers: Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland Executive Producer: Cillian Murphy Director of photography: Anthony Dod Mantle ASC, BSC, DFF Editor: Jon Harris Production & Costume Designers: Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl Score: Young Fathers Casting: Gail Stevens CDG and Rebecca Farhall
