A self-financed, self-distributed sci-fi horror film made by a YouTuber has shattered long-held industry assumptions after delivering a breakout performance at the box office.
“Iron Lung,” an independent adaptation of a popular video game, is the passion project of Mark Fischbach — better known online as Markiplier. Against the odds, the film earned an impressive $18.19 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend, according to Comscore. That figure is more than six times its estimated $3 million production budget, making it one of the most surprising theatrical successes of the year.
Written and directed by Fischbach himself, “Iron Lung” debuted in 3,015 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. It narrowly missed the top spot, landing just behind Sam Raimi’s horror-thriller “Send Help,” which opened with $19.1 million. The film also outperformed Amazon MGM Studios’ documentary “Melania: Twenty Days to History,” despite that release playing in more than 1,500 North American theaters.
Creators Crossing Into Hollywood
Fischbach’s success highlights a growing trend of digital creators stepping into traditional entertainment. Influencers such as Addison Rae and MrBeast have already tested the waters in film, television, and music. With more than 38 million YouTube subscribers, Fischbach built his following over more than a decade through gaming playthroughs and commentary, starting in 2012.
Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends, says this shift is only accelerating. Seeing creators translate online fame into big-screen results, he noted, is “remarkable,” adding that audiences should expect more unexpected hits to emerge from unconventional places.
From Indie Game to Theatrical Event
Based on the 2022 sci-fi horror game of the same name, “Iron Lung” follows Simon, a convicted criminal forced to pilot a submarine on a distant moon. There, he must navigate an ocean of blood after a mysterious catastrophe wipes out planets and star systems across the universe.
Fischbach stars as Simon, joined by fellow YouTuber Seán William McLoughlin — widely known as Jacksepticeye — who also famously played the original game on his channel. Even the game’s creator, David Szymanski, seemed stunned by the film’s success, reacting on social media with a blunt expression of disbelief.
An Emotional Milestone for Indie Filmmaking
During a YouTube livestream following the opening weekend, Fischbach became visibly emotional as he reacted to the box office numbers. Competing with established Hollywood directors, he said, felt like a personal victory for independent cinema.
He shared that he hopes the film’s success encourages others to keep creating and to believe that independent projects can thrive. For Fischbach, the moment wasn’t just about financial success — it was about opening doors for creators who want to make films on their own terms.
Streaming and Theaters Can Coexist
Fischbach is no stranger to filmmaking. He previously wrote and directed interactive YouTube Originals like “A Heist with Markiplier” and “In Space with Markiplier,” using his platform as a testing ground for ambitious storytelling.
Industry experts believe “Iron Lung” challenges the idea that streaming and movie theaters are rivals. While streaming remains vital, Dergarabedian argues that theaters still offer a unique, communal experience that audiences value — especially for genres like horror.
A Blueprint for the Future?
Online reaction has been swift, with many praising Fischbach for proving that digital creators can be taken seriously in the film world. Some commenters suggested the industry should “take notes” on how grassroots audiences can translate into box office success.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed that sentiment, calling Fischbach’s achievement a sign of a new Hollywood era — one where creators control their own production and distribution.
Despite minimal marketing and a modest budget, timing and genre trends played in the film’s favor. The release came after a slow January for theaters, and horror continues to dominate audience interest — with 2025 marking the biggest year ever for the genre at the box office.
Even so, the scale of the success caught many by surprise. Self-funded films rarely reach theaters, let alone compete with studio releases. As Dergarabedian put it, “Iron Lung” is breaking the traditional rules — and in doing so, may become a roadmap for the next generation of independent filmmakers.
