New Underdog Horror Movie Has Already Made More Than 6 Times Its Budget At The Box Office

1 week ago 7

Published Feb 1, 2026, 3:14 PM EST

Rianna is the Movie News Editor for ScreenRant. After earning her BA in Film Studies, she began her career as an entertainment writer, contributing to several publications before joining ScreenRant. Her dissertation on the impact of streaming on traditional cinema sharpened her focus on the ever-evolving world of film and media. With 6 years in the industry, Rianna continues to cover the stories she loves while also advocating for awareness and representation of rare disabilities, such as Moebius Syndrome, which she lives with.

A new horror has made its way into theaters and the director and star, Mark Fischbach, also known as his YouTube alias Markiplier, has shocked the world with his new film Iron Lung, as it has become one of the biggest movies of 2026 so far.

Fischbach is a content creator and rose to fame in 2012 for his gaming videos. He also produced and starred in interactive YouTube Originals, including A Heist with Markiplier and In Space with Markiplier. His latest venture is currently dominating the box office and surprising everyone as it's becoming successful worldwide despite having a smaller budget compared to the other films he's competing with.

Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) looking scared in Iron Lung

As reported in Deadline, Iron Lung debuted with $17.8 million "with foreign B.O. sources estimating $3.9M overseas in a limited rollout in the UK/Ireland." The indie phenomenon only had a budget of less than $3 million, meaning that Fischbach's debut into feature films has made more than six times its budget, which is a huge feat for any film but especially an indie film of this nature.

Based on the 2022 video game by David Szymanski of the same name, the movie follows convict Simon (played by Fischbach) who is forced to pilot a submarine through a desolate moon's ocean of blood, after an event known as the Quiet Rapture caused the majority of humanity and all stars to disappear without warning.

The movie has certainly divided critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics rating the indie movie at 50% and audiences giving the horror an 89% rating. The cast of Iron Lung includes Caroline Kaplan, Troy Baker, Elsie Lovelock, Elle LaMont, and Mick Lauer.

Another horror is also making headway upon its theatrical release, and it's Sam Raimi's Send Help starring Dylan O'Brien and Rachel McAdams. Raimi's new horror has impressed moviegoers and grossed over $28 million at the box office for its debut. Send Help has critics and the audience agreeing with a 93% rating from critics compared to an 87% rating from the audience.

Iron Lung is available to watch in theaters now.