Skip to main content
Games Radar Newsarama Total Film Edge Retro Gamer SFX
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The smarter take on movies
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later dark web teaser site all but confirms that the 2007 sequel's cliffhanger ending won't affect the third installment
Dr. Kelson welcoming Spike and Isla to the Bone Temple in Danny Boyle's zombie horror sequel 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple release date, cast, trailer, and everything else we know about the zombie horror sequel
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie and Alfie Williams as Spike in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later reviews, cast, and everything else you need to know about Danny Boyle's zombie horror sequel
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson in zombie horror sequel 28 Days Later
Horror Movies Danny Boyle's horror sequel 28 Years Later is proving to be all the Rage, as it earns higher Rotten Tomatoes score than the 2002 original
Jamie and Spike running away from a horde of Infected in Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later star Aaron Taylor-Johnson explains why the zombie sequel is "more horrific" than the average scary movie
An Infected in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies Hideo Kojima shares the summer blockbuster he's most excited to see
Angus Neill in the 28 Years Later trailer
Horror Movies 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple director reveals the biggest difference between shooting the zombie horror sequel and making The Marvels and Candyman: "You don't really have to change it, although I did..."
Alfie Williams as Spike and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies "Only Danny Boyle is brave enough to make bold swings like that": 28 Years Later star teases new horror movie, as he compares "experimental" shoot to "technical" Nosferatu's
An Infected in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies "Nothing could've prepared me": Horror fans react to Sinner star Jack O'Connell's brief appearance in zombie sequel 28 Days Later
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson and Jodie Comer as Isla in 28 Years Later
Horror Movies 28 Years Later star talks about that heartbreaking scene in one of the scariest films of 2025
28 Days Later
Horror Movies After being near-impossible to watch for years, one of the greatest horror movies ever made is streaming free - just in time to watch the sequel
Cillian Murphy in Sunshine
Sci-Fi Movies Cult sci-fi movie from 28 Years Later filmmakers was supposed to be the first in an "interplanetary" trilogy
Will Smith in I Am Legend
Action Movies I Am Legend 2 release date speculation, cast, plot, trailer, and everything we know about the upcoming horror sequel
Julia Garner in Weapons
Horror Movies Weapons director Zach Cregger has plans for a sequel, but not before he gets to work on Resident Evil
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

28 Months Later: 28 Possible Plots

Features
By Total Film published 5 August 2010

Inspiration for the zombie threequel...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Infected take Paris

The Infected take Paris

Inspired by : 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later

The closing scene of 28 Weeks Later suggested that the zombies had made it to Paris, so this would be the most obvious route for a follow-up to take.

As well as the chance to use the City of Love as the arena for some intense action scenes, we find out through flashback what happened to the ones that got away at the end of 28 Weeks...

Surviving members of the US army have made it from London's District 1 to Paris, and have only a few clues to help them find out what happened to the escapees, whilst fending off attacks from the Parisian Rage victims.

Page 1 of 28
Page 1 of 28
Get Infected or Die Hard

Get Infected or Die Hard

Inspired by : Die Hard (1988)

Scale-down the setting and have all of the zombie terror taking place within one large building: an enormous factory in which a few survivors have found a safe haven.

Keeping the thrills tense and tight, the sprawling action of 28 Weeks ... becomes a much leaner, more tense affair.

A rogue marine comes across a seemingly abandoned factory, and discovers that it is inhabited by a few human survivors. When the infected masses stumble upon this hideout, our marine must use all of his training to help protect this last-chance fortress.

Page 2 of 28
Page 2 of 28
Planet of the Infected

Planet of the Infected

Inspired by : Planet of the Apes (1968)

A human baby is born in captivity and raised as a slave to his zombie overlords, who have gained the power of slightly-less-garbled speech.

He grows up ignorant of the origin of his species: his knowledge of his ancestors is limited to the occasional artifacts he uncovers. His only friendly contact is with a couple of zombie doctors, one of whom he develops 'confusing' feelings for.

After he escapes his masters, he comes across a half-submerged Statue of Liberty, and can do nothing but damn the infected to hell.

Page 3 of 28
Page 3 of 28
Zombie

Zombie

Inspired by : Alien (1979)

A few survivors have launched themselves into space in an attempt to save themselves from the horrors of living on Earth with the infected.

While they try to create their own sustainable microcosm of society on board the ship, they realise that they are not alone, and that a Rage-infected zombie has snuck into the cargo hold.

One-by-one, the crew start being picked off…

Page 4 of 28
Page 4 of 28
28 Months of 3-D technology later

28 Months of 3-D technology later

Inspired by : Avatar (2009)

Utilising James Cameron’s groundbreaking 3-D and mocap technologies, this zombie sequel sees a marine go undercover as one of the infected in an attempt to penetrate one of the largest undead collectives, which has set itself up in the Brazilian rainforest.

The action ante is upped by the inclusion of infected jungle creatures. Our marine finds his loyalties tested when he starts appreciating the zombiefied way of life.

A little preachy, but the amazing 3-D zombie action will make it all worth while.

Page 5 of 28
Page 5 of 28
The Virus Goes West

The Virus Goes West

Inspired by : High Noon (1952)

A disparate band of survivors have been living in a deserted town, which seems to have been unaffected by the Rage outbreak. Living off the land and any supplies that they can find locally, it's a fairly peaceful existence for the survivors, which does not last long.

When the group get wind of a zombie invasion that'll soon be heading their way, it's up to the enigmatic 'Sheriff' to lead the team against their undead attackers, as the town prepares for a tense siege.

The action feels all the more compelling as the film virtually unfolds in real time.

Page 6 of 28
Page 6 of 28
The Rage

The Rage

Inspired by : The Road (2009)

The effects of the Rage virus have spread throughout the world. This story follows a father and son team who try to make their way across the bleak, post-infection landscape, with the hope of finding some kind of salvation.

The harsh conditions offer up little food or clean water, and are as dangerous as the Rage victims. The struggling central duo also have to contend with the survivors who have lost their minds as a result of the unendurable circumstances.

Wispy beards and cavernous cheekbones abound.

Page 7 of 28
Page 7 of 28
Prison Break

Prison Break

Inspired by : The Rock (1996)

As the virus spreads worldwide at a rapid speed, it's not long before Rage has gone Stateside. When a suspected case is diagnosed in one of the highest-security prisons in San Fransisco, the place goes into an emergency lockdown.

There's one inmate who isn't going to sit around and wait to get infected, though. Wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, our hero decides to bust himself out before it's too late.

But it won't be easy. As well as the prison's highly-contagious zombie inmates, he'll also have to pass the even more sadistic prison guards.

Page 8 of 28
Page 8 of 28
Enraging of the Body Snatchers

Enraging of the Body Snatchers

Inspired by : Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

In the 28 months following the initial outbreak, a vaccine has been pioneered and dispensed around the world, to prevent the further spread of the Rage virus.

In a small town, the survivors try to piece together their lives and move on, but a weaker strain of the virus is still present in the air, with any new victims being affected by the zombification process extremely slowly. Paranoia quickly spreads, as more and more people become blank, lifeless versions of themselves.

Expect slow-burning chills to take a precedent over the frenetic action of the first two installments.

Page 9 of 28
Page 9 of 28
Zombie Royale

Zombie Royale

Inspired by : Battle Royale (2000)

The American soldiers who intervened before the events of 28 Weeks… come up with a new solution.

Dump the remaining infected on an island, and force them to take each other out until only one is left standing, using the threat of explosive neckwear to ensure a ferocious fight.

A US soldier who is morally troubled by the whole business is 'accidentally' left on the island, and has to fight for survival amidst the zombie-on-zombie carnage.

Page 10 of 28
Page 10 of 28
The Infected

The Infected

Inspired by : The Fly (1986)

28 months after the Rage virus has been safely contained, one man gets more than he bargained for when he shares a decontamination pod with a flake of zombie skin. At first he is rejuvenated by the virus he carries, but before long it starts to destroy his life.

Slowly, his body undergoes a horrific transformation, until he’s finally half-human, half-zombie.

Unsurprisingly, this puts his relationship with his missus under a little strain.

Page 11 of 28
Page 11 of 28
District 28

District 28

Inspired by : District 9 (2009)

The infection reaches South Africa, where the Rage victims are forced to live in segregated slums. A team is charged with evacuating all the infected from the shanty towns after the government decides it no longer wants them there.

Fortunately the political undertones don't get in the way of a spectacular action blowout, as we see all manner of innovative weapons deployed to annihilate the misunderstood zombies and some of the more dastardly humans.

Page 12 of 28
Page 12 of 28
Infectalypto

Infectalypto

Inspired by : Apocalypto (2006)

The infected have overtaken the globe, and established a civilization of their own.

Uncompromising zombie gore will keep your attention, despite the fact all the dialogue will be authentic undead groans (with subtitles).

The film focuses primarily on one of the zombies who discovers a shred of latent humanity when faced with being sacrificed to feed the tribe. He goes on the run to escape his fate, and attempts to save his infected family in the process.

Page 13 of 28
Page 13 of 28
The Lives of the Infected

The Lives of the Infected

Inspired by : The Lives of Others (2006)

Set in an alternate East Germany, where the Berlin Wall still stands, this follows a government scientist assigned to monitor a Rage victim.

At first he is disgusted at what he records, but gradually begins to realise ways in which his own life is lacking, and begins to wonder whether it's himself or his charge who is really ‘undead’.

With its political themes and touching human dimension, it's a shoe-in for the Best Film in Zombie Grunts at the Academy Awards.

Page 14 of 28
Page 14 of 28
Infectsploitation

Infectsploitation

Inspired by : Grindhouse (2007)

Zombie carnage has reduced a small Texan town to a scene from a 70s sleaze-fest, as the most recently infected victims have developed a taste for the most gruesome and stylised kills imaginable.

A mixed group of survivors (some old-school infected, some immune) take refuge in a bar, and try to figure out a way in which they can work together to fight off the new strain of infection.

Expect missing reels, star cameos, and an invasion on a burlesque club (complete with zombie boobs falling off).

Page 15 of 28
Page 15 of 28
28 Monkeys

28 Monkeys

Inspired by : 12 Monkeys (1995)

28 months after the original, a team of scientists send a volunteer back in time to try to find out the cause of the Rage virus.

While the volunteer is unable to directly stop the epidemic, he does get put in the rather cool position of witnessing his own death. And seeing as the volunteer travels back to a couple of different points in the timespan of the infection, there is plenty of opportunity for some zombie survival action amidst the head-scratching.

Page 16 of 28
Page 16 of 28
Infection: A Documentary

Infection: A Documentary

Inspired by : Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

This shock-doc highlights the unfairness with which US policy deals with the infected victims. Michael Moore is on his soapbox once more, interviewing the zombified minorities and telling their shocking life stories.

Surveillance footage, jerky animation and ‘ker-ay-zee’ stunts will be rolled out to tug at your heart strings, and ensure you never look at zombies in the same way again.

Page 17 of 28
Page 17 of 28
2800: A Rage Odyssey

2800: A Rage Odyssey

Inspired by : 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

This visual feast looks at the key stages in zombie development, jump-cutting from the first time a Rage victim gets the taste for human flesh, to 28 months after the fallout, to the next evolutionary stage of infection.

As our protagonist will be reborn as a Starman, there will be plenty of scope for Super-Zombie-Star-Baby action in the next sequel, 28 Aeons Later .

Page 18 of 28
Page 18 of 28
ZOMB-E

ZOMB-E

Inspired by : WALL-E (2008)

Within 28 months, the virus has left only one (infected) human on the entire globe.

He falls hopelessly in love with a probe sent down to check the safety of the Earth for human repopulation.

Unfortunately, the probe doesn't reciprocate his feelings, and instead of a tender love story developing, we get a tense game of robot and zombie cat-and-mouse across the desolate landscape.

Page 19 of 28
Page 19 of 28
The Seventh Zombie

The Seventh Zombie

Inspired by : The Seventh Seal (1957)

A lone survivor is dismayed at the state of the world. An infected victim comes to attack him, but agrees to put off converting him to a zombie whilst they have an ongoing game of chess.

As the human crosses the ravaged landscape, he meets up with a ragtag bunch of survivors, and learns about love, death, faith and the modern equivalent of leprosy. In black and white, naturally.

Page 20 of 28
Page 20 of 28
Ocean's 28

Ocean's 28

Inspired by : Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Despite the fact that human life on Earth is almost at an end, a gang of smooth-as-you-like career criminals unite for ‘one last job’.

The dream-team break into a top-secret laboratory to steal a newly-created antidote to the infection, though they prioritise looking sharp and settling old scores over their mission.

The tension is slightly undercut by the pervading sense of smugness.

Page 21 of 28
Page 21 of 28
Rage Actually

Rage Actually

Inspired by : Love Actually (2003)

A series of interconnected tales in snowbound London, examining the ways in which zombification affects the victim’s life.

Turns out that everyone is a Rage victim, or knows someone suffering, or has had a relationship with a zombie. Or is neglecting a loved one who has zombie symptoms.

Depending on your disposition you'll leave with either a warm fuzzy glow, or a new-found sympathy for the rampaging hordes.

Page 22 of 28
Page 22 of 28
28 (The series)

28 (The series)

Inspired by : 24

The 28 saga heads to TV with a 28-hour (well, 28 x 45 minutes) series.

The terror unfolds in real-time as a CTU agent has a terrible day (and a bit) trying to protect the President from the Rage epidemic without once stopping for a toilet break.

There are a tiresome number of twists that reveal trusted officials are – shock – infected.

Page 23 of 28
Page 23 of 28
28 Months Later: The Infected Saga

28 Months Later: The Infected Saga

Inspired by : Twilight (2008)

Not so much a sequel as a reboot, the action is relocated to a high-school in small-town America.

The new girl in town is intrigued by one of her classmates, and a tentative romance blossoms, but she is slightly bemused by his intimacy issues and flaking skin.

Franchise potential.

Page 24 of 28
Page 24 of 28
It's a Wonderful 28 Months

It's a Wonderful 28 Months

Inspired by : It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

One of the infected looks back at how his life has been ruined since the epidemic.

After much teary flashbacking, he turns to suicide, only to be visited by an angel who shows him what his life would have been like had he not been infected.

Climaxes with an angels vs zombies bloodbath.

Page 25 of 28
Page 25 of 28
Infected People

Infected People

Inspired by : Funny People (2009)

This threequel takes the series in a Frat Pack direction.

A 90s box-office star reevaluates his life after being diagnosed with Rage. Spending time with a younger generation of victims allows him to take a good, hard look at his life and career.

Despite finding out he's not actually infected, he appreciates the valuable life lessons he has learnt, and sees his career skyrocket after starring in a new, sensitive kind of zombie movie.

Page 26 of 28
Page 26 of 28
Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Eight

Inspired by : Nine (2009)

After revitalising zombies by giving them super-speed, the series makes the most of this new-found sprightliness by wrangling them into a dancing troupe.

With arty black-and-white flashbacks to the pre-infection days, this Oscar-baiting musical attracts a suprisingly A-list cast, including Daniel Day-Lewis (whose methods for getting into character are a bit much in this instance).

Page 27 of 28
Page 27 of 28
28 Hours

28 Hours

Inspired by : 48 Hours (1982)

A grizzled cop must reluctantly join forces with a wise-cracking Rage victim in an attempt to solve a zombie-related case.

While the cop is initially disgusted at his new partner's rotting flesh and the threat of contagion, he learns to appreciate his decaying accomplice. Before succumbing to infection.

Could launch the 'buddy-zom' genre.

Page 28 of 28
Page 28 of 28
Total Film

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

See more Movies Features
Read more
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
28 Years Later dark web teaser site all but confirms that the 2007 sequel's cliffhanger ending won't affect the third installment
Dr. Kelson welcoming Spike and Isla to the Bone Temple in Danny Boyle's zombie horror sequel 28 Years Later
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple release date, cast, trailer, and everything else we know about the zombie horror sequel
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie and Alfie Williams as Spike in 28 Years Later
28 Years Later reviews, cast, and everything else you need to know about Danny Boyle's zombie horror sequel
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson in zombie horror sequel 28 Days Later
Danny Boyle's horror sequel 28 Years Later is proving to be all the Rage, as it earns higher Rotten Tomatoes score than the 2002 original
Jamie and Spike running away from a horde of Infected in Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later
28 Years Later star Aaron Taylor-Johnson explains why the zombie sequel is "more horrific" than the average scary movie
An Infected in 28 Years Later
28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
Latest in Movies
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Solo star Alden Ehrenreich hasn't completely ruled out a Star Wars return, but it sounds like it would take a lot to convince him: "It would have to really, really be the right version of it"
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
Clayface set photos tease a connection to The Batman, and fans are hoping that Matt Reeves' Elseworlds movies will merge with the DCU
Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
From passing on Lord of the Rings to Cleopatra's infamous budget, film fans are debating some of the worst mistakes in movie history
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare in Hamnet
Chloé Zhao's first movie since Eternals is already getting Oscars buzz as critics call it "the most devastating movie I've seen in years"
Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander in Frankenstein
Frankenstein star Christoph Waltz is in favor of Guillermo del Toro's use of practical effects: "CGI is for losers"
A still from Jujutsu Kaisen season 3
You can watch Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 early – if you see this new compilation movie
Latest in Features
Borderlands 4 screenshot shows someone holding a weapon forward towards the camera.
"We tend to commit to the bit": Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford talks Borderlands 4, the evolution of looter-shooters, and $80 game discourse
Valor Mortis
Ghostrunner devs abandon parkour for Valor Mortis, a first-person soulslike that might explain why the rest of the genre follows Dark Souls' lead
A mech firing a machine gun in the desert in Menace
Menace is an XCOM-Warhammer hybrid that makes turn-based strategy feel like an immersive sim, and for the first time in my life I'm playing a game that seems made for me
Metal Gear Solid 5 showing Snake and Ocelot looking to the horizon in front of more soldiers
10 years later, Metal Gear Solid 5 remains a masterpiece that was never going to live up to its own hype
Dogtooth
The new Yorgos Lanthimos movie is getting rave first reactions out of Venice Film Festival, but I think it's worth revisiting his breakout feature Dogtooth before Bugonia hits theaters this fall
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Legacy of the Forge DLC showing Henry and two allies standing looking down
I built a home and ran a business in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's next DLC, and the added role-playing guarantees I'll spend another 70 hours in my current game of the year
  1. Kaser clad in black and Victor in white clash swords in Lost Soul Aside
    1
    Lost Soul Aside review: "We (don't) have Final Fantasy Versus 13 at home"
  2. 2
    Hell is Us review: "The lack of waypoints and explicit objectives is a double-edged magical sword that pulls me deep into its harsh world"
  3. 3
    Shuten Order review: "The Danganronpa creator's new multi-genre mystery feels like a forgotten DS cult classic I would have been obsessed with"
  4. 4
    The Rogue Prince of Persia review: "I roguelike but don't roguelove this freerunner – there's just not enough to stand out"
  5. 5
    Shinobi: Art of Vengeance review: "So close to being to a pitch-perfect revival of a classic series, but just can't quite line up the killing blow"
  1. Jacob Elordi as the monster in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein
    1
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  2. 2
    Weapons review: "A twisted fairytale that bests Barbarian"
  3. 3
    The Fantastic Four: First Steps review: "An occasionally thrilling heroic adventure that sits safely within a B-tier MCU range"
  4. 4
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  5. 5
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  1. John Cena as Peacemaker holds a gun to the head of a different John Cena as Peacemaker in Peacemaker season 2.
    1
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  2. 2
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"
  3. 3
    Alien: Earth review: "Arguably the franchise's strongest outing since James Cameron's Aliens"
  4. 4
    King of the Hill season 14 review: "Hank Hill himself has evolved into a much more open and accepting person"
  5. 5
    Eyes of Wakanda review: "A creative premise shortchanged by the runtime and Marvel bloat"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...