Markiplier’s new horror movie has become an even bigger “win for YouTubers.“
The horror film Iron Lung has become a financial success, earning 15 times its production budget in theaters. Starring Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) as a prisoner named Simon, the movie is based on the popular video game of the same name. The story follows Simon as he’s forced to explore a bloody ocean on a faraway moon after a mysterious event called the “Quiet Rapture” causes all stars and planets to vanish.
The film Iron Lung has now earned over $50 million worldwide, exceeding its $3 million budget by more than 15 times. Markiplier, speaking to BBC Newsbeat before this achievement, described the film’s success as “a win for YouTubers” and expressed hope that similar large-scale successes become more common in the future.
The horror film Iron Lung had a surprisingly strong opening weekend at the box office, bringing in $18.2 million in the US—much higher than the predicted $9-10 million. It ranked second among new releases, performing better than both Send Help and the action film Shelter.
Critics have had a mixed reaction to the movie compared to other horror films released in 2026. Currently, Iron Lung has a 61% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 36 reviews. However, audiences clearly love it, giving it an 88% ‘Verified Fresh’ score after over 2,500 ratings.
The movie is a huge accomplishment for Markiplier on multiple levels. He not only starred in it, but also wrote, directed, edited, and executive produced it through his production company, Markiplier Studios. He even personally funded the entire project, making its success even more impressive.
Currently, this is the most financially successful video game movie released this year. Although bigger, more predictable hits like the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie will likely earn more, Iron Lung demonstrates that adaptations don’t need a large budget to succeed—especially when the filmmakers have a clear and compelling vision.
After just three weeks, Iron Lung is already a success, and it could achieve even more if it continues to play in theaters. The film is gaining popularity, suggesting it will likely continue to perform well as long as it’s shown in many locations.
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2026-02-19 18:09