What’s more terrifying than a world overrun by rage-infected zombies? Trying to survive it with a drink in your hand. The 28 Days Later trilogy has long cemented itself as a gritty, cerebral, and uniquely British take on the zombie genre. But with 28 Years Later (2025) shuffling into cinemas and cracking open a whole new viral chapter, it’s time we give the franchise the drinking game treatment it deserves.
This isn’t just any old horror movie night. This is an immersive, semi-sloshed survival experiment with rules crafted specifically for Danny Boyle’s bleak brilliance. Whether you’re watching solo, hosting a “Rage Marathon,” or using this as an excuse to scream “INFECTION!” with a shot in hand, this guide’s got you covered.
Table of Contents
28 Days Later Drinking Game Rules
This is where it all began. Jim wakes up in an empty London, and we all realized maybe silence was more terrifying than screams.
Drink When…
- Jim stares silently at something for longer than is socially acceptable
- The word “Rage” is used (take two if it’s in a serious military voice)
- You see a completely abandoned city or desolate landscape
- A crow caws ominously (bonus if it foreshadows something horrible)
- A jump scare gets at least one person in the room
Bonus Chugs
- When the priest growls instead of speaks
- During the blood-in-the-eye scene (you know the one)
- When Brendan Gleeson gives extreme “dad energy” but still makes you cry
28 Weeks Later Drinking Game Rules
This sequel cranked up the pace, the carnage, and the emotional damage. The infected are faster, and your drinks should be too.
Drink When…
- Military characters yell codes like “Red Zone” or “Containment breach!”
- Someone gets infected in the most preventable way possible
- Helicopter makes a dramatic entrance
- Someone inexplicably splits from the group for no reason
Bonus Chugs
- When blood is used as an actual plot device
- Night-vision turns a suspense scene into a horror fever dream
- When Robert Carlyle runs like a guilt-ridden Olympic sprinter
28 Years Later (2025) Drinking Game Rules [NEW]
Fresh off the release circuit, 28 Years Later is weirder, bolder, and somehow more unsettling. It’s also visually stunning, a bit philosophical, and—let’s be honest—kind of an art-house zombie film.
Drink When…
- A character says “Mainland” or refers to “crossing”
- Someone looks visibly traumatized (this happens often)
- Ralph Fiennes enters the scene and makes you nervous for no reason
- There’s a sudden stylistic shift (drones, iPhones, trippy editing)
Bonus Chugs
- If you hear the “Boots” poem by Kipling
- Naked infected sprint across the screen with terrifying confidence
- You feel like the movie just switched genres without warning
Hardcore Mode
- Chug during the “Angel of the North” continuity fail
- Take a drink anytime a philosophical theme sneaks into a zombie attack
- Finish your drink if you say out loud: “What did I just watch?”
3 Creative Variations for the 28 Years Later Drinking Game
Let’s be honest — a good drinking game isn’t just about when to sip. It’s about chaotic group dynamics, questionable decision-making, and a sprinkle of “what the hell just happened?” These 28 Years Later-themed variations are designed to push your party straight into apocalypse mode — one shot at a time.
Variation #1: The Infected Mode (Last Sober Standing)
How it works:
- One person starts as Patient Zero. They don’t drink… yet.
- Every time someone else drinks, Patient Zero chooses who “gets infected” by tapping them.
- Once infected, that player must double their drinks for the rest of the game.
- Infected players can spread the virus too — a chain of doom begins.
- Last sober (or barely functioning) survivor gets to scream, “I AM IMMUNE!” and wins absolutely nothing except shame.
Optional twist: The “Rage Virus” effect—infected players must growl or hiss before every drink. Or bite the air. No pressure.
Variation #2: Shot Roulette – The Bone Temple Prophecy
Set up 5 mystery shots in labeled glasses:
- Rage Virus
- Mainland Mudslide
- Infected Blood
- Danny Boyle’s Espresso Cut
- Kipling’s Curse
The classic shotgun roulette game: spin a bottle or use a spinner. When someone triggers a “major event” (e.g., naked infected sprinting onscreen, philosophical monologue about death), they spin and drink the result.
Note: One should be spicy. One should be sweet. One should be terrifying.
Variation #3: iPhone Cam Chaos
This film was partially shot on iPhones and drones. So:
- When you spot an obviously handheld or drone scene, everyone must grab their phones.
- Take a shaky selfie or blurry video while screaming.
- The most chaotic photo = safe. Everyone else drinks.
These wild twists turn the 28 Years Later drinking game into a cinematic party apocalypse. Mix, match, or cycle through them in a trilogy marathon. Just remember: in this world, sobriety is a luxury, not a right.
Rage Test: Party Quiz to Decide Who Would Survive
Who would survive the 28 trilogy? The bro with the tactical flashlight? The friend who brought croissants instead of canned food? Find out with this quick quiz.
Instructions: Ask each player the questions below. Tally your results to find your survival archetype. Drink based on the outcome.
Q1: You wake up alone in a hospital. What’s your first move?
a) Barricade the doors (0 drinks)
b) Shout “Hello?” down every hallway (1 drink)
c) Look for snacks (2 drinks)
d) Pee with the door open (chug)
Q2: What’s your zombie weapon of choice?
a) Crossbow (1 drink)
b) Mop handle (2 drinks)
c) Emotional manipulation (3 drinks)
d) A sandwich (goodbye, friend. Finish your drink.)
Q3: Pick a survival partner:
a) Ralph Fiennes (1 drink and a stare-off)
b) Your drunk cousin (2 drinks, 1 regret)
c) The weird neighbor with night vision goggles (3 drinks)
d) Teletubby from Jimmy’s flashback (just… chug it)
Results:
- The Soldier (0–2 drinks): You’ve got a plan. You’ll probably survive… but alone.
- The Survivor (3–5): Not bad! But your “let’s split up” energy is risky.
- The First to Go (6–8): You didn’t even hear the infected coming.
- The Infected (9+): You are the chaos. Own it.
28 Days Later: Outbreak Bites & Infectious Cocktails
You can’t survive a rage-fueled movie marathon on an empty stomach (or a dry bar) — unless you’re aiming to be the first to turn. Stock up on these apocalypse-appropriate, hilariously-named snacks and dangerously drinkable concoctions to keep your blood sugar up, your buzz alive, and your party from flatlining.
Apocalypse-Proof Cocktails
Rage Virus Red
A bloody-good cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, pomegranate liqueur, and a splash of club soda. Serve over ice with a syringe full of grenadine for dramatic “infection.” Sip slowly — symptoms may include shouting “I hate everything!” within 20 minutes.
The Turned Tonic
Gin, tonic, and a sprig of rosemary — but drop in a splash of blue curaçao and dry ice for a creepy, glowing, foggy effect. It’s classy… until it starts smoking like an infected Londoner.
Patient Zero Punch
A communal bowl of deadly deliciousness: mix white rum, pineapple juice, limeade, and a blood-red swirl of grenadine. Float lychee “eyeballs” (lychees stuffed with blueberries) for added horror.
Blood Clot Bombs
Cherry liqueur + Irish cream layered in a shot glass. Drop into a glass of cola or stout. The curdled look? Repulsive. The taste? Surprisingly addictive. A drink and a dare in one.
Hazmat Margarita
Classic margarita, but rim the glass with black lava salt and garnish with a neon green candy syringe full of Midori. Optional: wear yellow rubber gloves when serving for full hazmat effect.
“Don’t Go to Sleep” Espresso Shot
Because if you nap, you might not wake up human. Espresso, coffee liqueur, and a splash of vanilla vodka. Serve in tiny test tubes with a red stripe for “classified” vibes.
The Quarantine Cooler (Non-Alcoholic)
For designated drivers and survivors: cranberry juice, lemon soda, and a hint of mint. Add a drop of black food coloring for a murky, “possibly contaminated” twist.
Zombie Apocalypse Drinking Snacks
Rage Nachos
Top tortilla chips with an ungodly amount of jalapeños, sriracha, and hot sauce. Every bite should feel like your tongue got infected.
Infected Guts Jello Shots
Layer red and green gelatin with vodka and gummy worms. Serve in shot glasses or — if you’re feeling theatrical — in fake IV bags.
Quarantine Queso
Cheesy, gooey, and dangerously addictive. Add “biohazard” chips for dipping. (That just means Doritos you renamed on a Sharpie-labeled bowl.)
Survival Kit Trail Mix
Mix pretzels, chocolate, peanuts, and popcorn. Bonus: hide a few gummy eyeballs or mini liquor bottles inside to “discover during your journey.”
Bloody Popcorn
Drizzle kettle corn with red food coloring and melted white chocolate. It looks grotesque but tastes divine — like 28 grams of sugar later.
Safety Tips (But Make It Funny)
Let’s be real for a second.
- Don’t try to outrun infected while drunk. You will not win.
- Know your limits. Don’t turn into that guy.
- Hydrate, because the only thing worse than a zombie is a hangover.
Drink responsibly, or at least as responsibly as someone playing a post-apocalyptic infection game can manage.
See you at Bone Temple. Bring your own bottle—and maybe a hazmat suit.