Entertainment: Zombie Thriller Tops Charts: '28 Years Later' Scares Up Box Office Success in U.K. and Ireland

Why it is the topic trending: Box Office Battle in the U.K. and Ireland: How Horror, Dragons, and Aliens Fared This Weekend

• Strong Opening for Horror Sequel: "28 Years Later," the follow-up to the popular zombie film, debuted at the top of the U.K. and Ireland box office, generating significant revenue.

• Continued Success of Animated Hit: "How To Train Your Dragon" maintained a strong second position in its second weekend, showing impressive staying power.

• Modest Debut for Pixar's Original Film: Disney's "Elio," which had a disappointing opening in the US, also debuted in third place with a relatively lower box office collection in the U.K. and Ireland.

• Consistent Performance of Live-Action Adaptation: "Lilo & Stitch" continued its successful run in its fifth weekend, adding to its already substantial total earnings.

Overview: '28 Years Later' Dominates U.K. and Ireland Box Office While 'Elio' Faces Lukewarm Reception

The article reports on the latest box office results for the U.K. and Ireland. The horror sequel "28 Years Later" took the top spot with a strong opening weekend. Meanwhile, "How To Train Your Dragon" showed continued success in its second week. Disney's "Elio," however, debuted in a modest third place, contrasting with the strong performance of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," which continues to draw audiences in its fifth week.

Detailed findings: Charting the Box Office: Key Figures from the U.K. and Ireland Weekend

• "28 Years Later" (Sony) opened at number one with £4.7 million ($6.4 million).

• "How To Train Your Dragon" (Universal) held second place with $3.8 million in its second weekend, totaling $17.1 million.

• "Elio" (Disney) debuted in third place, collecting $1.3 million.

• "Lilo & Stitch" (Disney) took $908,062 in its fifth weekend, reaching a total of $46.4 million.

Key success factors of product (trend): Box Office Winners: Analyzing What Drove Success This Weekend

• Established Franchise and Anticipation: "28 Years Later" benefits from being a sequel to a well-known and popular horror film, creating high anticipation among fans.

• Strong Word-of-Mouth and Family Appeal: "How To Train Your Dragon's" sustained success suggests positive audience reception and its appeal to families.

• Pre-existing Brand Recognition: While "Elio" is an original film, its association with Disney and Pixar might have generated some initial interest, although not enough for a top debut.

• Nostalgia and Continued Family Entertainment Value: "Lilo & Stitch's" long run indicates its enduring appeal and status as a reliable source of family entertainment.

Key Takeaway: Horror Sequel Roars, Dragon Soars, Alien Boy Stalls in U.K. and Ireland Box Office

The key takeaway is that the horror sequel "28 Years Later" had a strong debut at the U.K. and Ireland box office, while "How To Train Your Dragon" continued its successful run. In contrast, Pixar's original film "Elio" opened in a modest third place, and "Lilo & Stitch" demonstrated consistent popularity.

Main trend: Contrasting Fortunes: Familiar Franchises Dominate While Original Animation Faces Challenges in the U.K. and Ireland Box Office

The main trend highlighted by this article mirrors the US box office: established franchises and sequels ("28 Years Later," "How To Train Your Dragon," "Lilo & Stitch") are performing strongly, while original animated films ("Elio") are facing a more challenging debut.

Description of the trend (please name it): The Familiar vs. The Fresh: Analyzing Box Office Performance in the U.K. and Ireland

The Familiar vs. The Fresh: This trend describes the contrasting box office performances in the U.K. and Ireland, where audiences are showing a strong preference for films based on existing intellectual property or established franchises, while original animated movies are struggling to achieve the same level of initial success.

Description of consumers article is referring to: Who's Buying Tickets? Describing the U.K. and Ireland Cinema Audience

• Likely fans of horror franchises: The strong opening of "28 Years Later" indicates a significant audience for this genre and franchise.

• Families with children: The success of "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Lilo & Stitch" demonstrates a demand for family-friendly animated content.

• Potentially fans of Pixar animation: "Elio," despite its modest debut, likely attracted some audience due to its Pixar origin.

• Who are them: Cinema-goers in the U.K. and Ireland who exhibit varied tastes, with a strong interest in horror franchises, sustained support for family-friendly animated films (both new and continuing), and a more measured initial response to original animated features.

• What kind of products they like: They enjoy horror sequels, family-friendly animation (including both established franchises and potentially new offerings), and live-action adaptations of beloved animated classics.

• What is their age?: The audience likely spans a wide range of ages, from older fans of the "28 Years" series to families with young children enjoying animated movies.

• What is their gender?: The appeal of these films likely cuts across gender lines.

• What is their income?: Cinema attendance is a form of leisure for a broad range of income levels.

• What is their lifestyle: They engage in out-of-home entertainment activities like going to the movies.

• What are their shopping preferences in the category article is referring to: They show a willingness to spend on tickets for a variety of genres, with a noticeable inclination towards established franchises and family-friendly content.

• Are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers: This would vary depending on individual and family habits regarding cinema visits.

• What are their general shopping preferences - how they shop products, shopping motivations): They are motivated by entertainment and leisure, and their choices are likely influenced by genre preference, word-of-mouth, and brand recognition (e.g., Pixar, Disney).

Conclusion: The cinema audience in the U.K. and Ireland, similar to the US, shows a strong interest in established franchises and family-friendly animated films, while original animated movies are facing a more challenging start at the box office.

What is consumer motivation: The Lure of the Screen: Why These Films Attracted Audiences

• Anticipation for a Known Horror Franchise: Fans were eager to see the next installment in the "28 Years" series.

• Enjoyment of a Popular Animated Franchise: The continued success of "How To Train Your Dragon" indicates ongoing appeal.

• Curiosity for a New Pixar Film: Viewers may have been drawn to "Elio" out of curiosity about Pixar's latest offering.

• Affection for a Beloved Animated Classic: The longevity of "Lilo & Stitch's" box office run suggests enduring fondness for the story.

What is driving trend: Global Box Office Echoes: Familiarity Dominates on Both Sides of the Atlantic

The trend of established franchises performing well while original animation faces headwinds seems to be consistent across both the US and the U.K./Ireland box office markets.

What is motivation beyond the trend: Seeking Entertainment Across Genres and Preferences

Audiences have diverse entertainment preferences, with some drawn to horror and thrills, others to animated adventures for families, and some showing initial interest in new animated offerings from reputable studios.

Conclusions: A Tale of Two Box Offices: Familiar Success vs. Original Challenges Continues Across Regions

The U.K. and Ireland box office results reflect a similar trend observed in the US, where sequels and established franchises are enjoying strong performance, while original animated films are encountering a more challenging initial reception.

Implications for brands: Franchise Stability: A Consistent Pattern for Film Studios in Key Markets

Film studios can observe a consistent trend in key markets like the US and UK/Ireland, highlighting the relative stability and audience draw of established franchises compared to original animated films.

Implication for society: Global Entertainment Consumption: Similar Trends in Major Film Markets

The box office performance suggests that audience preferences and trends in entertainment consumption can be similar across different major film markets.

Implications for consumers: Diverse Choices with Familiar Favorites: Options for a Variety of Filmgoers

Cinema-goers have a range of options from different genres, with familiar franchises providing reliable entertainment alongside new offerings.

Implication for Future: Continued Franchise Power: Expect More Sequels and Established IP in the Family Film Space

The consistent success of franchises likely means that studios will continue to invest heavily in sequels, prequels, and adaptations in the family film genre.

Consumer Trend: Global Franchise Focus:

• Name: IP Preference (UK/Ireland)

• Detailed description: Audiences in the UK and Ireland also show a preference for films based on existing intellectual property and established franchises.

Consumer Sub Trend: Enduring Animated Appeal:

• Name: Animated Longevity

• Detailed description: Well-received animated films, both new and from established franchises, tend to have strong staying power at the box office.

Big Social Trend: Cross-Market Entertainment Consumption:

• Name: Consistent Global Preferences

• Detailed description: Trends in film viewership can often be similar across different major international markets.

Worldwide Social Trend: International Box Office Dynamics:

• Name: Regional Variations Exist

• Detailed description: While some trends are consistent, the specific performance of films can vary across different regions due to cultural factors and local preferences.

Social Drive: Seeking Thrills and Family Fun:

• Name: Genre-Specific Engagement

• Detailed description: Audiences are driven by a variety of entertainment needs, seeking both thrilling horror experiences and enjoyable family-friendly films.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025:

• Recognize the global appeal of established film franchises.

• Understand that success in one market can often be mirrored in others.

• Consider the sustained audience for well-made animated films.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:

• Continue to invest in strong franchise properties for reliable box office returns.

• Develop high-quality animated films that can capture audience attention and have lasting appeal.

• Monitor box office performance in key international markets to gauge global trends.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified), and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it.: Echoes Across the Pond: Familiar Franchises Lead U.K. and Ireland Box Office, Mirroring U.S. Trends and Reinforcing the Importance of Established IP for Film Studios

The core trend is the strong performance of familiar franchises and sequels at the box office in the U.K. and Ireland, echoing trends in the U.S.; film studios in 2025 should continue to leverage established intellectual property while also striving to create high-quality original content that can resonate with audiences across different markets.

Final Note:

• Core Trend: Franchise Strength (UK/Ireland) - Similar to the US, established film series are dominating the box office in the UK and Ireland.

• Core Strategy: Global IP Leverage - Studios can expect consistent performance from their major franchises in key international markets.

• Core Industry Trend: Cross-Market Consistency - Box office trends can often be similar across different regions, providing valuable insights for global releases.

• Core Consumer Motivation: Genre and Brand Loyalty - Audiences are drawn to specific genres and familiar brands in their entertainment choices.

Final Conclusion:

The box office results from the U.K. and Ireland for this weekend provide further evidence of a consistent trend in major film markets: the enduring power of established franchises and sequels. While the horror genre saw a strong debut with "28 Years Later," the continued success of "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Lilo & Stitch" highlights the sustained appeal of family-friendly animation, particularly from well-known brands. The more modest opening for Pixar's "Elio" reinforces the challenges that original animated films are currently facing in attracting large initial audiences. For film studios navigating the entertainment landscape of 2025, these results underscore the importance of leveraging familiar intellectual property for reliable returns while also continuing to explore ways to introduce and build successful original content that can capture the imaginations of global audiences.

Core Trend Detailed: Franchise Frenzy Continues: Familiar Titles Reign Supreme in the U.K. and Ireland

The core trend reflected in the U.K. and Ireland box office results is the continued dominance of established film franchises and sequels, echoing similar patterns observed in the United States. The strong opening of "28 Years Later," a horror sequel with pre-existing brand recognition, and the sustained success of "How To Train Your Dragon," a well-loved animated franchise, highlight the preference of audiences in these markets for familiar and anticipated content. This trend suggests that studios are finding greater success with properties that have a built-in fan base and a history of strong performance, potentially indicating a degree of risk aversion among both studios and cinema-goers. The more modest debut of the original animated film "Elio" further underscores this tendency towards the familiar in the family entertainment sector.

Key Characteristics of the Core trend: Decoding the Charts: Key Traits of U.K. and Ireland Box Office Performance

• Sequel Success: Films that are part of established franchises, such as "28 Years Later," demonstrate a strong initial draw, indicating that audiences are eager to see the next installment in stories they are already invested in.

• Franchise Longevity: Animated franchises like "How To Train Your Dragon" exhibit impressive staying power, maintaining high viewership numbers in their subsequent weeks of release, showcasing the enduring appeal of well-crafted and beloved characters.

• Original Animation Challenges: Even animated films from renowned studios like Disney and Pixar ("Elio") may face a more challenging initial reception if they lack pre-existing brand recognition or a direct connection to a known property.

• Genre-Specific Popularity: Certain genres, such as horror (as seen with the strong opening of "28 Years Later"), continue to have a dedicated and enthusiastic audience that drives significant box office numbers.

• Consistent Performance Across Territories: The trends observed in the U.K. and Ireland box office often mirror those in the U.S., suggesting a degree of global consistency in audience preferences for familiar entertainment.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend: Across the Pond Popularity: Signals Mirroring Global Box Office Behaviors

• Globalized Entertainment Consumption: The strong performance of established franchises in both the U.S. and the U.K./Ireland indicates a globalized market where major film properties resonate with audiences across different cultural contexts.

• Audience Familiarity and Trust: Cinema-goers may feel more confident spending their money on films that are part of a known and trusted franchise, reducing the perceived risk of disappointment.

• Effective Marketing Campaigns: Sequels and franchise films often benefit from extensive and well-funded marketing campaigns that leverage existing brand recognition to create high levels of awareness and anticipation.

• Word-of-Mouth for Established Properties: Positive word-of-mouth from previous installments in a franchise can significantly contribute to the success of newer films in the series.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior: Queueing for the Known: Audience Choices Reflect Preference for Familiar Stories

• Cinema audiences may be increasingly inclined to choose films that offer a sense of familiarity and predictability, opting for sequels or films based on well-known characters over original content.

• Families, in particular, might prioritize films from established animated franchises that they know their children will enjoy, leading to a more cautious approach towards trying new and untested animated movies in theaters.

• The willingness to see films multiple times may be higher for franchise entries that offer a beloved world and characters, contributing to their sustained box office success.

Implications Across the Ecosystem: A Universal Picture: Industry-Wide Effects of Box Office Preferences

• For Film Studios: There is a clear incentive to continue investing in and developing established film franchises, as they offer a more reliable path to box office success in key international markets.

• For Production Companies: Opportunities may arise to collaborate on prequels, spin-offs, or extended universe projects related to popular franchises.

• For Talent (Actors, Directors, Writers): Being involved in a successful franchise can provide significant career benefits and opportunities for long-term engagement with a project.

• For Theatrical Exhibitors: Cinemas can rely on the consistent draw of franchise films to drive ticket sales and concession revenue.

• For Merchandise and Licensing: Products associated with popular film franchises are likely to continue to perform well in the consumer market.

Strategic Forecast: The Expected Blockbusters: Predicting Future Box Office Success in the U.K. and Ireland

• The box office in the U.K. and Ireland will likely continue to be dominated by major franchise releases and sequels in the family entertainment and popular genres.

• Anticipated installments in ongoing successful series will likely draw large audiences upon their release.

• Original animated films, while still finding an audience, may need significant critical acclaim or unique marketing angles to achieve comparable levels of box office success to franchise films.

• The trend of audiences gravitating towards familiar brands and stories is expected to persist in the near future.

Areas of innovation: Beyond the Box Office: Exploring New Avenues for Film Engagement

• Film studios and distributors might explore alternative release strategies for original films, such as premiering them at film festivals or offering limited theatrical runs followed by early streaming releases to build an audience without the pressure of immediate blockbuster success.

• There could be a greater focus on developing transmedia storytelling experiences around original characters and worlds, using platforms like video games, web series, or interactive content to build audience familiarity and investment before a major film release.

• Studios might innovate with collaborations and co-productions with international partners to broaden the appeal and financial backing for original animated projects.

Final Thought: The Global Box Office Story: Familiar Narratives Resonate with Audiences Worldwide

The performance of films in the U.K. and Ireland's box office this weekend underscores a recurring theme in the global film industry: the powerful draw of established franchises and the ongoing challenge for original animated films to capture the same level of immediate audience enthusiasm. This trend highlights the complex interplay between audience preferences, studio strategies, and the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment consumption across different cultural territories. As studios continue to navigate these dynamics, the balance between leveraging the proven success of familiar properties and fostering the creation of fresh, innovative stories will remain a key consideration in shaping the future of cinema worldwide.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/28-years-later-uk-ireland-box-office-1236438843/