Markiplier’s Iron Lung film grosses $21.7M, quadrupling its estimated budget

Markiplier’s film adaptation of Iron Lung has hit theaters and has made an estimated $21.7 million globally, according to Deadline. The movie is based on the 2022 submarine-sim by Dusk creator David Szymanski.

Szymanski reacted to the box office on X, posting "What the fuck." He later quote-reposted a thread about certain charts not displaying the movie's gross with a Starship Troopers meme reading, "It's afraid."

The film pulled in a combined $12.5 million from Thursday previews and Friday box office—more than four times its estimated budget, which Forbes says is just under $3 million. Markiplier wrote, co-produced, directed, and starred in the movie, which is based on a game that runs about an hour long.

Observers noted the film’s performance is notable for an indie adaptation that didn’t have major studio backing or an A-list cast, and for being a success outside of big-name game franchises like Mario, Sonic, or Minecraft.

For fans interested in the source material, the original Iron Lung game is currently on sale for $4 on Steam.

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