28 Years Later is the long-awaited third installment in the popular post-apocalyptic horror series that began with 28 Days Later (2002) and continued with 28 Weeks Later (2007). Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film brings back the raw energy and dark atmosphere that made the franchise so iconic.
This time, the cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, and Jack O’Connell. Cillian Murphy, who starred in the original film, returns as an executive producer. The movie is set to be released in the U.S. on June 20, 2025.
For fans of the franchise and filming location enthusiasts, 28 Years Later offers something exceptional. The movie was shot entirely in the UK using a unique approach. Instead of large Hollywood cameras, the crew used the iPhone 15 Pro Max for principal photography—adding a gritty, intimate look that mirrors the original movie’s raw tone.
This article by NetFilming takes a closer look at where the movie was filmed and how those real-world locations helped shape the unsettling world of 28 Years Later.
What is 28 Years Later About?
28 Years Later is a thrilling post-apocalyptic horror film that takes us back to the chilling world of the 28 Days Later series. The movie takes place 28 years after the terrible Rage Virus killed many people in the UK. It follows a group of survivors who live on a small, secluded island. A well-guarded causeway connects this island to the mainland, keeping the infected away. The story is about one brave person who goes onto the treacherous, devastated mainland, where secrets and horrors are waiting for them.
Danny Boyle directed the movie, and Alex Garland wrote it. It mixes tension, action, and mystery to reveal a world that is still dealing with the virus’s effects. With a great ensemble that includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, it promises explosive moments and a new look at how to survive in a damaged world. Fans can look forward to a thrilling plot that preserves the original’s gritty, emotional core.
28 Years Later Filming Locations
Filming for 28 Years Later took place primarily in the north of England, with additional scenes shot in South West England. Principal photography began on May 7, 2024, and wrapped on July 29, 2024, using an iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside drones, digital and film cameras for a gritty aesthetic. Here are the key locations:
Northumberland: The Heart of the Apocalypse
Most of 28 Years Later was filmed in Northumberland, a beautiful and rough area in northern England. This place’s wild landscapes, old buildings, and feeling of being alone make it a great stand-in for a world after the end of the world. Let’s review the most significant locations:
Holy Island (Lindisfarne)
Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, is a standout location in the film. The story takes place on this tidal island, which is shut off from the mainland twice a day by huge tides. It is home to a tiny group of survivors who are connected by a protected causeway. The famous Lindisfarne Castle and other historic ruins make it even more mysterious and creepy. The island’s far-off beaches, windswept dunes, and old priory ruins made for a stark, empty setting that made the movie even more tense. Check the tide times before you go to make sure you don’t get stuck!
Hexham, Bellingham, and Kielder Forest
The production team also filmed in Hexham, Bellingham, and Kielder Forest, which are all parts of Northumberland with lush woods, rolling hills, and quiet villages. Kielder Forest, one of the largest man-made forests in Europe, with dark, murky areas that were perfect for scary encounters or tense pursuit scenes. Another rural location chosen to give the movie its solitary, survivalist atmosphere was Plankey Mill Farm, which is near Langley and Bardon Mill. These places contributed to making a world where danger is always around the corner.
Tyne and Wear: Urban Decay in Newcastle
The crew went to Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear to film city scenes. The Tyne Bridge, which is famous in the city, and abandoned industrial facilities, such ancient factories along the quayside, gave the wrecked cities on the mainland a dark, decrepit look. Newcastle’s blend of old and new buildings made it a good place to represent a world that had been taken over by nature and disorder. These city scenes are very different from Northumberland’s untamed surroundings, which shows how the plot moves between safe places and risky adventures.
North Yorkshire: Historic Ruins and Scenic Charm
North Yorkshire added historical depth to the film. Locations like Fountains Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Aysgarth Falls brought a mix of beauty and decay. The crumbling monastery ruins of Fountains Abbey were a great fit for the movie’s post-apocalyptic look. Some sequences probably had to do with the sequel’s “Bone Temple” idea. The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, which is close to Bolton Abbey Railway Station, offered a touch of nostalgia. Its old locomotives and beautiful tracks made the horror seem even more scary. Melsonby, Ripon, and Redmire also have rural settings, with their open fields and cute villages adding to the feeling of emptiness.
West Yorkshire: Bradford’s Abandoned Gem
The old Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford was a major filming location in West Yorkshire. This old, listed building, with its Brutalist exterior and falling apart inside, seemed just like a world that had been abandoned for a long time. People in the area were quite happy to see Bradford in the movie because it put the city on the map for movie aficionados. The sports center’s bare, concrete passageways probably made for tight, claustrophobic sequences that added to the movie’s drama.
Somerset: Drama at Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge was a big contrast of landscape down in Somerset. Its high limestone cliffs and deep tunnels made for an exciting setting for scary or action-packed scenes. The gorge’s natural beauty and rough topography made it a great place for sequences that needed high stakes and a lot of visual impact. This place gave the movie a particular character by demonstrating how the virus spread beyond the north.
Devon: Coastal Vibes in Teignmouth
Teignmouth in Devon added a coastal feel to the movie, even though it was only used a few times. The cliffs and beaches of this seaside village probably provided a backdrop for both quiet, reflective times and tense escapes. Including it demonstrates that the filmmakers tried to depict the UK in all its diversity, from cities that are falling apart to peaceful beaches.
Unique Filming Technique
One of the most talked-about aspects of 28 Years Later is the way it was filmed. The filmmakers used iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones instead of expensive cameras, and they also used drones and specialized camera rigs.
Danny Boyle, the director, came up with this idea because he wanted to have the same raw, documentary-like feel that made 28 Days Later so memorable. Boyle says that the crew was able to get close-up performances and rapidly move between places without having to set up enormous cameras.
When Was 28 Years Later Filmed?
Filming officially began on May 7, 2024, and wrapped up on July 29, 2024. The crew had a lot of places to shoot in a short amount of time, but they were able to keep the look and feel of the prior movies.
The movie has a lot of tension, atmosphere, and cinematic detail, even though it was only shot over a few months. It was also filmed back-to-back with its direct sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, which Nia DaCosta directed. It is expected to be out after the first chapter.
28 Years Later Official Trailer
Stay tuned to NetFilming for more news about filming locations for horror movies and behind-the-scenes information.
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