YouTube creator Mark Fischbach, known as Markiplier, released his self-financed horror film "Iron Lung" in theaters on January 30, 2026. The video game adaptation opened on 4,164 screens worldwide, including 3,000 in the United States.
The release expanded from an initial plan of around 60 theaters due to fan requests to local theater chains. The film earned $3.5 million from Thursday previews in the U.S. on a production budget reported under $3 million.
Production and Directorial Debut
Fischbach wrote, directed, starred in, edited, financed, and is co-distributing "Iron Lung" with Centurion Films. This marks his feature directorial debut. He has 38 million YouTube subscribers and built his channel around horror video game content over 13 years.
The film adapts David Szymanski’s 2022 indie horror game. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world after "The Quiet Rapture," an event that caused stars and planets to disappear. A convict, played by Fischbach, is welded into a small submarine called the Iron Lung to explore an ocean of blood on a desolate moon in search of resources. The runtime is 127 minutes, and it is rated R.
Fischbach worked with the game developer to address some narrative questions while preserving mystery. He described the project as a way to develop his skills in writing, acting, editing, and directing. He self-financed it, noting that YouTube success enabled risks not available to many filmmakers, and stated he would be satisfied even with limited theatrical reach.
Theater Expansion Driven by Fan Demand
The film was initially expected to receive a limited release. Fischbach encouraged fans via a video comment to request screenings at their local theaters. This led to a rapid increase in bookings and the wide release across 4,164 screens.
Fischbach commented on the response: “That’s what makes me tear up. They leapt at an opportunity to help me, and that’s what I’ll never forget. That’s why I’ll always swear by YouTube and internet content creation as a platform.” He highlighted how fans organized to support the project.
Many screenings have sold out. The expansion demonstrates direct audience influence on distribution for an independently released title.
Box Office Performance
"Iron Lung" generated $3.5 million in U.S. Thursday previews, exceeding some comparable genre previews. Presales reached $6 million ahead of the wide opening. Opening weekend projections range from $9 million to $15 million domestically, with potential to rank high among new releases.
The film recouped its production budget before full wide release. Distribution sources indicate strong performance at the UK box office this weekend, where it is expected to lead among new releases.
Critical and Audience Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, "Iron Lung" holds a 92% Tomatometer score from seven critic reviews and a 92% Popcornmeter audience score from more than 250 verified ratings.
Early critic reviews are mixed but note its atmospheric tension, ambition as a low-budget adaptation, and appeal to genre fans. One review called it "audacious and at times astonishingly boring" while acknowledging its enthusiasm. Others praised the creepy tone, craftsmanship, gore, and cosmic horror elements reminiscent of films like "Event Horizon." Audience feedback has been more consistently positive, with viewers citing faithful adaptation aspects and immersive scares.
Significance for Indie Horror and Online Creators
The project's success underscores the box office impact of YouTube creators and Gen Z audiences. With bare-bones marketing largely driven by social media and fan efforts, "Iron Lung" achieved wide distribution and early earnings without traditional studio support. It serves as an example of self-financed genre filmmaking reaching broad theatrical audiences.
This marks one of the most significant theatrical expansions for a YouTuber-led feature, fueled by direct fan engagement rather than major studio campaigns.
What Happens Next
Full weekend box office results will provide clearer data on domestic and UK performance. Projections suggest it could sustain momentum through word-of-mouth and continued fan support. The film is also releasing in Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Further international rollouts or post-theatrical availability have not been detailed. Additional critic reviews may adjust the Tomatometer as more outlets publish.
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