Mark Edward Fischbach, known as his YouTube alias Markiplier, will make his feature film directorial debut next month.
Fischbach — a YouTuber with more than 36 million subscribers — directed, acted in, produced, edited and wrote the the sci-fi horror flick “Iron Lung,” according to the film’s website.
The movie’s synopsis reads, “An ocean of blood. The only hope left after the quiet rapture. In the rusting halls of crumbling space stations, the last remnants of humanity craft a submarine to explore the bleeding depths… ”
Fischbach’s self-financed film is based on the 2022 indie horror game of the same name by video game developer David Szymanski, Variety reported.
Alongside Fischbach, the film co-stars actresses Caroline Rose Kaplan and Elsie Lovelock as well as actor Troy Baker.
Fischbach is also self-distributing the film, striving to have it shown in 50 to 100 independent theaters, Variety reported.
The film will premiere in select theaters on Jan. 30, 2026.
“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,” Fischbach said in a statement to Variety.
Fischbach first joined YouTube in 2012, where he continues to make videos about various subjects ranging from horror video games to comedy sketches.
A decade later, Fischbach became the platform’s third-highest earning YouTuber, earning $38 million in 2022, Forbes reported.
Today, Fischbach has over 73 million followers across his social media platforms.
When he’s not making YouTube videos, Fischbach co-hosts podcasts “Distractible” and “Go! My Favorite Sports Team.”
In 2024, Fischbach starred in the Amazon Prime Video sci-fi thriller limited series, “The Edge of Sleep.”
For tickets, visit the film’s website.