Markiplier adapts the indie horror game Iron Lung into a brutal sci-fi film hitting theaters in January 2026.
YouTube personality and entertainer Mark Fischbach better known online as Markiplie is stepping into feature filmmaking with his bold and highly personal project Iron Lung. Scheduled to hit cinemas on January 30, 2026, this American science fiction horror film marks Fischbach’s directorial debut and showcases his talents in nearly every creative role: he wrote, directed, edited, produced, financed, and stars in the movie himself.
Inside The World Of Iron Lung
Iron Lung is an adaptation of the critically discussed 2022 indie horror game of the same name by developer David Szymanski. Unlike many game-to-film adaptations, this project has involved Szymanski since its earliest stages. He worked closely with Fischbach on the script, was regularly on set during production, and even appears in a small cameo role. The cast also features Caroline Rose Kaplan, Seán McLoughlin, Troy Baker, Elsie Lovelock, and Isaac McKee, while composer Andrew Hulshult best known for his work in gaming provides the score for his first theatrical film.
The story of Iron Lung transports audiences into a grim, post-apocalyptic future. After a cataclysmic event known as “The Quiet Rapture” causes all stars and habitable planets in the universe to disappear, the last remnants of humanity cling to existence in isolated space stations. On the deserted moon AT-5, a mysterious ocean of blood is discovered prompting a desperate organization to send a convicted prisoner on a perilous mission into its depths. Trapped inside a fragile, cramped submarine nicknamed the Iron Lung, the protagonist embarks on the thirteenth and perhaps most dangerous expedition yet. Success promises freedom; failure guarantees oblivion.
Production officially began in early 2023. Filming took place in Austin, Texas, with principal photography completed by May 1 that year. However, extensive editing, post-production work, and industry-wide disruptions such as the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike pushed back completion. Fischbach documented much of this process publicly and even joked about converting parts of his home into a rendering setup to finish the film.
Iron Lung. Coming soon to theaters. pic.twitter.com/vxP28YC9Vd
— Mark (@markiplier) October 14, 2023
Extreme Horror, Total Control
One of the most distinctive talking points around Iron Lung is its extreme use of practical effects especially artificial blood. Fischbach claimed that the movie may surpass the infamous 2013 Evil Dead remake in sheer volume of fake blood used, with totals reportedly exceeding 80,000 gallons. During filming, the intensity of these scenes even landed him in the hospital due to excessive fake blood exposure.
Instead of partnering with a major studio for distribution, Markiplier opted for a more grassroots strategy. He is personally negotiating screenings with independent theaters across the United States. The plan for the film’s January 30, 2026 release includes opening in over 2,000 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, with additional rollouts confirmed for the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. While details on streaming availability have yet to be finalized, the theatrical debut remains the centerpiece of the rollout.
For Markiplier, Iron Lung isn’t just a genre film it’s a statement about creative independence in modern media and a long-awaited return for fans eager to see one of YouTube’s most influential creators take on Hollywood with his own uncompromising vision.