Markiplier says film studios ‘should be worried’ after independent 'Iron Lung' success

Markiplier says independent creators can succeed in film after 'Iron Lung’s' box office performance

YouTuber Markiplier has suggested that traditional film studios may face increased competition from independent creators after the success of his film Iron Lung.

The horror film was written, financed and produced independently by Mark Fischbach, who is widely known online as Markiplier. The project was created without backing from a major studio or a significant marketing budget.

Despite its independent origins, the film was later picked up for theatrical distribution by major cinema chains including AMC, Cinemark and Regal. According to reports, tickets sold out quickly following the film’s premiere at the end of January.

Iron Lung has since earned nearly $50 million at the global box office against a reported budget of around $3 million.

In an interview with Vice, Markiplier discussed the wider implications of the film’s performance and the growing influence of online creators in filmmaking.

When asked whether the film represented the beginning of a trend of YouTubers entering the film industry, he suggested that the shift was already underway.

“I don’t even think it’s the beginning. I think that it’s already happened. Maybe this is the first time it’s been completely independently put out there,” he said. “I know I’m going to do it again, so they’d better stop me while they can.”

He added that some industry figures may already be reconsidering the role of traditional studios in the filmmaking process.

“I know there are some that are having an existential question of being like, ‘Oh God, do they need us?’ And the answer is no,” he continued.

Markiplier also noted that his audience size may not be as large as some studio executives assume. “I’m not even the biggest YouTuber. I don’t even know if I’m in the top one hundred,” he said.

According to recent figures, Markiplier has more than 38 million subscribers on YouTube.

He suggested that independent creators could continue producing films outside traditional systems in the future. However, he said he personally prefers working independently rather than forming a studio with other creators.

“I have no desire to do that because I like, as you might have guessed, working independently,” he said.

Markiplier added that independent creators and traditional studios could still work together in future projects. “I think that there’s opportunity for everything, and that’s where the competition comes in. You’ve got to be smart,” he said.

Reflecting on the changing industry landscape, he concluded, “Yeah, they should be worried.”