‘Bone Temple’ Rakes in $2.1 Million from Previews
As the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend unfolds, the film “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” has made an impressive debut, grossing $2.1 million from preview screenings that began at 2 p.m. on Thursday. However, this figure is notably lower than last summer’s $5.8 million previews for “28 Years Later,” which benefited from the Juneteenth holiday audience.
Film Overview
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” represents the only major studio release for the MLK weekend, setting the stage for a competitive box office show. Predictions suggest it could earn between $20 million and $22 million over the four-day holiday period. In comparison, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is anticipated to generate around $19 million during its fifth weekend.
Comparison to Previous Releases
- The original “28 Years Later” opened with $30 million in June 2025.
- It achieved $14.4 million on its first Friday, including previews.
- Directed by franchise co-architect Danny Boyle, this sequel is helmed by Nia DaCosta, known for “Candyman.”
Audience Demographics
The audience for “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” shows distinct demographic trends. The previous installment saw a viewer demographic of 75% males aged 25 and older.
- Men over 25 accounted for nearly half of the total audience.
- Women over 25 represented 37%, making them the second-largest demographic group.
Critical Reception
Critics have responded positively to “Bone Temple,” with a 94% approval rating. Currently, it holds a favorable score of 4.5 out of 5 from PostTrak.
Box Office Rankings
Here’s a summary of the top five films at the box office for the week:
| Film Title | Theaters | Weekly Earnings | Total Earnings | Week Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th) | 3,700 | $28.9M (-47%) | $350M | 4 |
| The Housemaid (LG) | 3,123 | $15.6M (-29%) | $98.6M | 4 |
| Primate (Par) | 2,964 | $14.5M | N/A | 1 |
| Zootopia 2 (Dis) | 3,200 | $12.4M (-48%) | $381.2M | 7 |
| Marty Supreme (A24) | 2,512 | $10.9M (-42%) | $73.4M | 4 |
The weekend box office is set to be a significant affair, showcasing competition primarily between “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”