YouTube star Mark Fischbach’s self-financed horror film proves indie movies can compete with Hollywood studios
Markiplier’s directorial debut “Iron Lung” has shocked the film industry by earning more than seven times its production budget during its opening weekend, making it one of 2026’s most successful independent films.
The horror movie, which premiered on January 30, brought in an impressive $21.7 million worldwide by the end of its first three days in theaters. This includes $17.8 million from North American audiences and $3.9 million from international markets.
Breaking Budget Records
Made for less than $3 million using Fischbach’s own money, the film achieved something remarkable—it recovered its entire production cost within just 24 hours of release.
The movie started strong with Thursday preview screenings earning $3.5 million. By Friday, total earnings reached $8.9 million, meaning the production had already made four times what it cost to create.
How a YouTuber Beat Hollywood
Unlike traditional films that spend millions on advertising, “Iron Lung” took a different approach. Fischbach, who has over 38 million YouTube followers, used his social media presence to promote the movie directly to fans.
The release strategy was also unusual. Fans actually requested their local cinemas to show the film, which convinced major theater chains like AMC and Regal to screen it. The movie eventually played in 3,015 theaters across the United States and Canada, plus locations in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Competition and Performance
“Iron Lung” claimed the second-highest spot at the domestic box office, only behind Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,” which earned $20 million. The film’s performance exceeded several studio-backed horror releases, including “The Black Phone.”
Because Markiplier distributed the film through his own company, Markiplier Studios, he likely keeps a larger share of ticket sales compared to traditional studio arrangements.
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The movie adapts a popular indie horror video game that already had dedicated fans, giving it a built-in audience eager to see the story on the big screen.
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