28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead is set to keep the rage-virus saga alive on the big screen, but many fans are already wondering about its streaming future — and especially when it could land on Netflix in France and, by extension, what that might mean for US viewers.
Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, this new chapter follows directly after 28 Years Later (2025) and continues the franchise that Danny Boyle launched back in 2002. While the movie is first and foremost a theatrical release, France’s strict media chronology rules give us a pretty solid idea of the earliest moment it could appear on Netflix there.
Release Timeline: Theatrical Run Comes First
In France, 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead is locked in for a theatrical release on January 14, 2026. The movie is distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing France and will open in French theaters a few days after the UK and ahead of the US rollout.
This film is officially the fourth entry in the overall saga and the second part of a planned new trilogy. Instead of simply revisiting the original survivors, the story shifts toward a fresh set of characters who are still trapped in a world devastated by the rage virus. The cast includes heavyweights like Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell and Alfie Williams, signaling a more ambitious, globally minded continuation of the universe.
Once the theatrical window begins in January 2026, that date becomes the legal reference point for every other release format in France — from digital rentals to subscription streaming.
How France’s Media Chronology Impacts Netflix
If you’re used to US streaming patterns, France works very differently. French law enforces a strict timeline — known as the chronologie des médias — that determines when a movie can move from theaters to VOD, pay TV, and then to subscription streaming platforms like Netflix.
Under the rules updated in 2025, Netflix in France must wait at least 15 months after a movie’s theatrical release before adding it to its catalog, unless Netflix helped finance the production and negotiated an improved window.
For 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead, the film is produced and backed by Columbia Pictures and DNA Films. There’s no indication so far that Netflix is a co-producer or co-financier, which means:
- French theatrical release: January 14, 2026
- Minimum Netflix delay in France: 15 months
- Likely Netflix window in France: sometime in spring 2027, at the earliest
That doesn’t guarantee the film will be on Netflix — only that it cannot show up there legally before that period, given the current regulations.
Will “28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead” Definitely Be on Netflix?
At the time of writing, there is no official confirmation about which subscription streaming service will get 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead in France or internationally.
Netflix is a realistic candidate for several reasons:
- The platform frequently licenses catalog titles from major US studios after their theatrical and pay-TV windows.
- Horror and post-apocalyptic movies perform well on Netflix and are often pushed via recommendations and genre rows.
However, Sony Pictures does not have an exclusive global output deal with a single streaming service in every territory. Depending on the region, Sony titles can end up on Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, or even local services.
In France, before any potential arrival on Netflix, the movie is expected to follow this more traditional sequence:
- Transactional VOD (digital purchase or rental)
- Pay TV and premium channels (French subscription TV services)
- Only after these steps: possible arrival on a subscription streaming platform like Netflix
So while Netflix remains a strong possibility, it’s not locked in — and the exact streaming home could vary from country to country.
What About US Streaming Availability?
For US audiences, the French media chronology doesn’t apply, but the same core question remains: Which streaming platform will Sony choose?
In recent years, Sony Pictures titles have reached US subscription streaming mainly via licensing agreements with services like Netflix or Hulu, often after a run on premium cable or another pay-TV partner. The exact deal for 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead has not been publicly detailed yet.
However, if you’re trying to anticipate timing, it’s safe to assume:
- The movie will complete its theatrical run first.
- It will then hit digital purchase/rental and possibly physical media (Blu-ray, 4K UHD).
- After that, it will move to a pay-TV or premium streaming window.
- Only later will it likely show up on a major subscription streaming platform, whether that ends up being Netflix or a competitor.
Because licensing strategies can shift quickly, the best way to stay updated is to monitor Sony’s distribution announcements and Netflix’s upcoming title lists as the film’s 2026 theatrical release gets closer.
A Long-Term Vision: The New “28 Years Later” Trilogy
Temple of the Dead isn’t designed as a one-off sequel. Producers have made it clear they’re building a full new trilogy within the 28 universe.
The third film is already in development, with Danny Boyle slated to return to the director’s chair and Cillian Murphy set for a central role once again. That long-term roadmap matters for streaming in a couple of ways:
- Platforms like Netflix tend to favor franchises that keep viewers engaged over multiple titles.
- Once the trilogy is complete or near completion, services may push to secure the whole saga to offer a complete binge experience.
- The presence of globally recognizable talent (Murphy, Fiennes, etc.) increases the franchise’s value as a streaming asset.
In other words, even if Temple of the Dead doesn’t immediately land on Netflix, the growing size and prestige of the saga make it more likely to become a long-term streaming staple somewhere.
Key Takeaways for Netflix Availability
Putting it all together for viewers specifically interested in Netflix in France:
- Theatrical release in France: January 14, 2026
- Legal minimum before Netflix can add it (France): 15 months
- Most realistic earliest window for Netflix France: spring 2027, assuming Netflix actually licenses the title
- No official streaming partner has been announced yet — Netflix is possible, not guaranteed
Until a streaming deal is formally unveiled, the only certain way to see 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead as soon as it’s released is to catch it in theaters starting January 2026.
FAQ
When does “28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead” hit theaters in France?
The movie is scheduled to open in French cinemas on January 14, 2026, with a release that comes shortly after the UK and before the United States.
Is it officially confirmed that the movie will stream on Netflix?
No. As of now, there has been no official confirmation that Netflix will be the streaming home for 28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead in France or in the US. Netflix is a plausible option, but Sony could license the film to a different service.
What is the earliest date Netflix France could add the film?
Based on France’s media chronology rules updated in 2025, Netflix would have to wait at least 15 months after the theatrical release. Since the movie opens on January 14, 2026, the earliest realistic window for it to appear on Netflix France is spring 2027, and only if Netflix secures the streaming rights.
How does “Temple of the Dead” fit into the larger “28 Years Later” franchise?
28 Years Later: Temple of the Dead is the fourth film in the franchise and serves as the second chapter of a new trilogy. A third installment is already planned, with Danny Boyle returning as director and Cillian Murphy taking on a major role, reinforcing the saga’s long-term future in theaters and on streaming platforms.
