28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Tops Box Office Beating Avatar: Fire and Ash January 16 2026

The horror film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple earned $5.6 million on Friday, January 16, 2026, taking the top spot from Avatar: Fire and Ash.
By Newsroom | Movies, Box Office |

Horror Sequel's Debut Nips At Sci-Fi Epic's Long Reign

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple claimed the top spot at the domestic box office on Friday, January 16, 2026, unseating Avatar: Fire and Ash after its 27-day streak. The horror sequel pulled in $5.6 million on Friday and $2.1 million in preview screenings on Thursday, according to various reports. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron's franchise, had held the number one position since its debut on December 19, 2025.

While The Bone Temple managed to end Avatar's run, final figures for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend suggest a close race. Projections indicated The Bone Temple would earn around $20 million to $25 million for the four-day weekend, while Avatar: Fire and Ash was expected to bring in $17 million to $19 million. This represents a slight dip for the sci-fi film in its fifth week.

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Critical Reception and Franchise Futures

Despite its box office performance, the future of the 28 Years Later franchise remains uncertain. The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, has garnered largely positive reviews, with some critics calling Ralph Fiennes' performance a career highlight. The film received an "A-" from CinemaScore audiences, a notable achievement for the horror genre.

However, the film's unexpected box office challenge, occurring in the traditionally slow months of January and February, raises questions about its release strategy. The tight filming schedule, with 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple shot back-to-back, leaves the next steps for the franchise unclear, even as a sequel with Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig is reportedly already in development.

Streaming Availability

For those who missed its theatrical run or prefer to watch at home, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now available for streaming on platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, in addition to other VOD services.

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Background and Context

Avatar: Fire and Ash has been a dominant force in the box office, with its predecessors being the first and third highest-grossing films of all time. The Bone Temple's success in challenging it is significant, especially given the limited competition it faced from other new releases. Meanwhile, other films like Chloé Zhao's drama Hamnet and the animated sequel Zootopia 2 continued their runs, with Hamnet expanding its release following awards recognition. A special 25th-anniversary re-release of The Lord of the Rings trilogy also debuted, drawing significant fan interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple beat Avatar: Fire and Ash at the box office on January 16 2026?
Yes, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple became the number one movie at the box office on Friday, January 16, 2026. It made $5.6 million on that day.
Q: How long was Avatar: Fire and Ash number one at the box office before January 16 2026?
Avatar: Fire and Ash was the number one movie for 27 days. It started on December 19, 2025, and was finally unseated by The Bone Temple on January 16, 2026.
Q: How much money did 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple make on its opening weekend in January 2026?
The movie 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was expected to make between $20 million and $25 million over the four-day weekend ending January 19, 2026. This includes $2.1 million from Thursday previews.
Q: Is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple available to watch at home in January 2026?
Yes, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now available to stream at home. You can watch it on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other video on demand services.
Q: What did audiences think of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?
Audiences gave 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple an 'A-' rating from CinemaScore. Critics also gave it good reviews, with some praising Ralph Fiennes' acting.