28 DAYS LATER 4K SteelBook is Missing One of the Movie’s "Most Terrifying Shots"
The new 4K release of 28 Days Later has finally arrived, but horror fans have already spotted something strange about it. One of the movie’s most memorable scares appears to be missing.
The new Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD SteelBook went on sale August 31, giving fans another chance to own Danny Boyle’s 2002 horror classic after years of frustrating availability issues.
Unfortunately, a fan noticed that the new version makes a strange cut during the film’s intense tunnel sequence. A fan shared on X:
"Bizarrely, the new 28 Days Later 4K release is missing one of the most terrifying shots of the movie - the infected hitting the back of the taxi during the tunnel chase and the close-up of the eyes. Instead, it’s a quick cut to the next shot."
About halfway through 28 Days Later, Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, Selena, played by Naomie Harris, Frank, played by Brendan Gleeson, and Hannah, played by Megan Burns, are making their way toward Manchester when they drive into a dark tunnel blocked with abandoned vehicles and debris.
Their tires blow, leaving them stranded in one of the worst possible places as a massive group of infected comes charging through the darkness. During the attack, an infected slams against the back of the taxi, followed by a nasty close-up of its blood-red eyes.
In the new 4K release, that shot apparently isn’t there. The movie simply cuts ahead and fans aren't thrilled about the change. One responded, "That was one of the scariest parts of the film, why would they not show that part?"
Another physical-media collector summed up the frustration surrounding altered rereleases: "I wanna support physical media, but getting mediocre re-releases that mess with the original film is not what I want."
It's particularly frustrating considering how difficult 28 Days Later has been to legally watch and purchase over the years. The film disappeared from streaming and digital rental platforms for an extended period, prompting concerns among horror fans about its accessibility.
That's thankfully improved. The movie is currently available to stream free on BBC iPlayer and Prime Video in the UK, while viewers in the US can rent it through Prime Video and Apple TV.
The Limited Edition SteelBook itself is priced at just under $40, it includes 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs inside blood-red steel packaging. Open it up and you'll find artwork depicting Jim wandering through the deserted streets of post-apocalyptic London.
Here's what makes the missing shot even stranger: the front of the SteelBook prominently features those same piercing infected eyes!
At this point, it isn't clear whether the missing footage resulted from an editing or mastering mistake, or whether someone intentionally removed it for this release.
Either way, it's an unfortunate discovery for fans who have waited so long to add 28 Days Later to their 4K collections.