Editing 28 Days Later (section)

{{short description|2002 post-apocalyptic horror film by Danny Boyle}}
{{about|the horror film|the comics|28 Days Later (comics){{!}}''28 Days Later'' (comics)|the romantic comedy film|28 Days (film){{!}}''28 Days'' (film)}}
{{use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = 28 days later.jpg
| alt            = A monochrome black on red image, with a large biohazard warning symbol and underneath a man walking with London in the background
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Danny Boyle]]
| writer         = [[Alex Garland]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Andrew Macdonald (producer)|Andrew Macdonald]]
* [[Jon Burton]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cillian Murphy]]
* [[Naomie Harris]]
* [[Christopher Eccleston]]
* [[Megan Burns]]
* [[Brendan Gleeson]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Anthony Dod Mantle]]
| editing        = Chris Gill
| music          = [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]
| studio         = {{plainlist|
* [[DNA Films]]
* [[UK Film Council]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]] (through [[20th Century Fox]]) <br> [[Sony Pictures Releasing]] (through [[Columbia Pictures]]; 2025 re-release)
| released       = {{film date|2002|11|1|df=yes}}
| runtime        = 113 minutes<ref name=mojo>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1262585345/|title=28 Days Later|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226150326/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=28dayslater.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country        = United Kingdom
| language       = English
| budget         = $8&nbsp;million<ref name=mojo/>
| gross          = {{US$|84.6&nbsp;million|long=no}}<ref name="mojo2"/>
}}

'''''28 Days Later''''' is a 2002 British [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] [[horror film]] directed by [[Danny Boyle]] and written by [[Alex Garland]]. It stars [[Cillian Murphy]] as a bicycle courier who awakens from a [[coma]] to discover that the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing [[virus]] has caused the [[Societal collapse|breakdown of society]]. [[Naomie Harris]], [[Christopher Eccleston]], [[Megan Burns]], and [[Brendan Gleeson]] appear in supporting roles.

Garland took inspiration from [[George A. Romero]]'s [[Night of the Living Dead (film series)|''Night of the Living Dead'' film series]] and [[John Wyndham]]'s 1951 novel ''[[The Day of the Triffids]].'' Filming took place in various locations in the United Kingdom in 2001. The crew filmed for brief periods during early mornings and temporarily closed streets to capture recognisable and typically busy areas when they were deserted. [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]] composed [[28 Days Later: The Soundtrack Album|an original soundtrack]] for the film, with other instrumental songs by [[Brian Eno]], [[Godspeed You! Black Emperor]] and other artists also being featured.

''28 Days Later'' was released on 1 November 2002 to critical acclaim and financial success. Grossing more than $84.6 million worldwide on its modest budget of $8 million, it became one of the most profitable horror films of 2002. Reviewers praised Boyle's direction, the cast's performances, Garland's screenplay, the atmosphere and soundtrack.

Despite Boyle not considering it a [[zombie film]], ''28 Days Later'' is credited with reinvigorating the zombie genre of horror film and influencing a revival in the genre a decade after its release, with its fast-running infected and character-driven drama.<ref name="hollywoodreporter" /><ref name="Bloody-Disgusting" /> Since its release, it has been featured in several "best-of" film lists and maintained a following, particularly amidst the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in the 2020s.

The film's success launched its [[28 Days Later (film series)|titular film series]], including ''[[28 Weeks Later]]'' (2007), and ''[[28 Years Later]],'' which is scheduled for release in 2025. [[28 Days Later (film series)#Future|Additional sequels]] are currently in development, while a graphic novel titled ''[[28 Days Later: The Aftermath]]'', and the 2009–2011 comic book series ''[[28 Days Later (comics)|28 Days Later]]'' also expanded the series into other media.