Markiplier’s ‘Iron Lung’ Dives into Theaters, Drowning the Competition
By Brady Lyons
Published March 12, 2026
Climbing the ladder from “Five Nights at Freddy’s” playthroughs to your local cinema, a YouTube internet sensation has taken Hollywood by storm with his big-screen feature film. Movies today are dominated by big studio blockbusters with budgets of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet recently, a small indie film with a budget of only $3 million has taken theatres by storm. As viewers dive into the Blood Ocean with a man who needs no introduction, we say hello to Iron Lung.
“Iron Lung” is the first feature film by renowned Youtuber and internet celebrity Markiplier. Markiplier, known for his hilarious persona online and his entertaining let’s-play style gaming videos, is no stranger to cinematic YouTube projects, with his work such as “A Heist with Markiplier” and “In Space with Markiplier.” After playing a small indie game titled “Iron Lung,” he was eager to adapt it into film.
“Iron Lung” is a film you must commit to for the long haul. It’s a massive slow burn, but every minute is worth the build-up to its climax.
As you follow the adventure of Markiplier’s character, you find him stuck within the Iron Lung, a submarine designed to explore an anomalous blood ocean on one of the few remaining moons in the galaxy. After an event called the “Quiet Rapture” witnessed the disappearance of all major stars and planets that hosted life, leaving only those who remained on moons, space stations, and starships across the galaxy.
As you traverse the Blood Ocean, you begin to find signs of life that aren’t human. Markiplier’s character begins to get dangerously close to a greater truth about what may have caused the Quiet Rapture.
With the simple premise of being locked into an airtight sub, exploring a blood ocean, and being one of the few humans remaining in the galaxy, Markiplier does a phenomenal job of turning a simple exploration game into a full-fledged horror movie.
On the film’s opening weekend, Markiplier tripled the film’s budget, making over $9 million within the first day. Markiplier also estimates he broke the record for most fake blood used in a film.
At some points, the film does drag. The audience essentially watches Markiplier walk around for an hour. But the film eventually captures your attention as Markiplier delivers a stellar acting performance throughout the film, allowing you to separate Markiplier the YouTuber from his character.
Overall, Markiplier hit it out of the ballpark with his ambitious first cinematic release. Some moments may feel long or boring, but it’s like you’re just watching another Markiplier let’s-play. “Iron Lung” turns into a jaw-dropping and captivating spectacle that plays with core human emotions of survival, fear of the unknown, and greater causes than ourselves.