Iron Lung: Debut Film by Mark Fischbach Revealed on YouTube

Iron Lung, the debut feature film from popular YouTuber Mark Fischbach, better known as Markiplier, will be available on YouTube starting May 31, 2026. The announcement was made during a panel discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, where Fischbach confirmed the film’s exclusive release on the platform.

About the film

Iron Lung, which was released in theaters in January 2026, is inspired by a video game released in 2022 by developer David Szymanski. Mark Fischbach not only wrote the script, but also directed, edited, self-financed, and starred in the film. The story follows a convicted prisoner trapped inside a submarine and forced to navigate a sea of blood on a desolate moon.

Storyline

The mission in Iron Lung takes place after an unexplained phenomenon in which all the stars and planets in the universe have disappeared. The only people left are those who happened to be aboard spacefaring platforms at the time. This tribute to the game’s origins is both a tense and terrifying experience, highlighting the challenges faced by the main character.

Commercial success

Iron Lung was a commercial success, earning more than $50 million on a budget of just $3 million. That striking gap shows the film found its audience, despite mixed reactions. Critical response was uneven, however; some reviewers noted that while Fischbach’s passion for the material is obvious, the film is not always seen as a strong adaptation of the game.

As an influential figure in gaming and film, Mark Fischbach has used Iron Lung to showcase not only his creative abilities as a filmmaker, but also his talent for telling a story that explores fear and struggle in the human mind. Despite the mixed reviews, the film can be seen as an exciting expansion of the original game, offering new insight into the world Szymanski created.