Markiplier’s indie sci-fi horror film Iron Lung is poised to dominate the UK box office this weekend, driven by strong early ticket sales. Distribution data shows the movie, releasing through Shear Entertainment, leading today’s market share, ahead of Jason Statham’s action thriller Shelter in its opening frame and The Housemaid in third place.
UK Box Office Surge and Fan-Driven Success
A senior distribution executive highlighted the film’s momentum, stating, “Iron Lung stands out as the key story for this weekend.” The executive emphasized its broader impact, noting, “This success demonstrates that YouTube and Gen Z audiences are not harming cinema—in fact, it’s the reverse. Theaters serve as ideal venues for fans to connect in person and give content creators a live platform.”
While Iron Lung benefits from a dedicated fanbase, analysts anticipate Shelter drawing more spontaneous walk-up audiences. The executive added, “Iron Lung performs exceptionally today, though its numbers may decline sharply afterward due to its targeted appeal.”
Strong US Performance and Expanded Rollout
Across the Atlantic, Iron Lung generated $3.5 million in Thursday previews, signaling robust demand. Projections estimate an opening weekend haul of $9 million to $10 million for the self-financed project, which cost less than $3 million to produce with minimal marketing spend. Initially planned for limited theaters, the film now expands to over 2,000 US screens to meet viewer interest.
Internationally, the buzz has prompted Piece of Magic Entertainment to secure distribution in additional territories. The company previously partnered on Taylor Swift’s concert film The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.
Film Background and Cast
Markiplier wrote, directed, produced, and stars in Iron Lung, adapting the popular indie horror video game by David Szymanski. Set in a post-apocalyptic world after ‘The Quiet Rapture’—an event that erases stars and livable planets—the plot follows a convicted person’s mission inside a rundown submarine called the Iron Lung to probe a blood ocean on a barren moon. The journey blends physical peril with intense psychological tension.
Joining Markiplier are co-stars Caroline Rose Kaplan, Troy Baker, and Elsie Lovelock. Shear Entertainment offered no further details on the release.
