YouTube star Markiplier is finally bringing his long-gestating horror video game adaptation to theaters, and the intense final trailer for Iron Lung isn’t holding back. Also known as Mark Fischbach, the viral personality produced, stars in, writes, edits, and directs Iron Lung, based on the 2022 video game by David Szymanski. The video game adaptation was even self-financed, with Markiplier also self-distributing the film as it finally makes its way to theaters in January 2026.
The game imagined a chilling universe in which all planets capable of life have mysteriously vanished, with the player trapped in a crippled submarine in an ocean of blood on a bizarre world. Iron Lung thrived with gamers thanks to a terrifying narrative and a claustrophobic setting. Markiplier looks to adhere closely to the story from the game, with his description reading:
The stars are gone. The planets have disappeared. Only individuals aboard space stations or starships were left to give the end a name — The Quiet Rapture. After decades of decay and crumbling infrastructure, the Consolidation of Iron has made a discovery on a barren moon designated AT-5. An ocean of blood. Hoping to discover desperately needed resources they immediately launch an expedition. A submarine is crafted and a convict is welded inside. Due to the pressure and depth of the ocean the forward viewport has been encased in metal. If successful, they will earn their freedom. If not, another will follow. This will be the 13th expedition.
Iron Lung also features a small cast, some of whom provide voices, including Sean McLoughlin (aka Jacksepticeye), Elle LaMont, Caroline Kaplan, and Elsie Lovelock. The trailer puts Markiplier front and center, leading the confined horror tale as he is plunged into nightmarish perils. Iron Lung doesn’t shy away from striking visuals, tapping into grim details that bring the close quarters to life, even stepping outside the submarine to explore otherworldly possibilities, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
‘Iron Lung’ Is Finally Heading to Theaters After Years of Delays
Iron Lung wrapped filming in April 2023 and debuted its first trailer in October of that year. However, since that time, the game adaptation has been working its way to theaters. Markiplier recently announced the horror film’s 2026 release date, with the YouTube star working directly with independent theaters across the country for a January 30 debut. The director is still working to finalize plans, so the exact locations, dates, and times are not yet set.
In a statement to Variety, Markiplier noted that Iron Lung holds records “for most blood in a horror movie. Or any movie for that matter.” Fischbach also mentioned the work that went into the film adaptation:
They said it shouldn’t be done. Not that it couldn’t be done, people have made movies before, just that it would be ‘woefully unwise’ to tackle writing, directing, acting and editing a movie myself. Showed them. My bathroom might be a render farm now but I can’t wait for people to see the blood, sweat, blood, tears, blood and blood that went into this movie from everyone involved.
Iron Lung also wrapped production eerily close to the real-world Titan submersible incident, which may have factored into the delays. Still, the passion project is finally getting its due, with game fans able to see Iron Lung in theaters this January, with VOD and streaming releases to follow.
Release Date
January 30, 2026
Runtime
127 Minutes
Director
Mark Fischbach
Cast
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Mark Fischbach
Speaker #2 (Voice)
