Iron Lung (Film) Trailer: Release Date & Where to Watch
Markiplier’s passion project landed in over 4,000 theaters worldwide, an unusual path for a YouTuber’s film. The timeline from the first teaser in April 2023 to the theatrical release on January 30, 2026, and eventual YouTube debut on May 29, 2026, has been unconventional.
Teaser trailer released: April 21, 2023 ·
Final trailer released: January 2026 ·
Theatrical release date: January 30, 2026 ·
Director and star: Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) ·
Based on video game: Iron Lung (2022)
Quick snapshot
- Theatrical release January 30, 2026 (IMDb (film industry database))
- Directed by Mark Fischbach (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary))
- Final trailer released January 2026 (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary))
- YouTube debut May 29, 2026 (YouTube (official video platform))
- Streaming platform availability beyond YouTube (not announced)
- Full plot details beyond game premise
- Length of theatrical run before digital release
- Teaser: April 21, 2023
- Official trailer: Oct 14, 2023
- Release-date trailer: Dec 5, 2025
- Theatrical: Jan 30, 2026
- YouTube: May 29, 2026
- A third trailer is being prepared (YouTube (official video platform))
- Potential Netflix or other streaming rights after theatrical (YouTube (official video platform))
- International expansion including India (March 13, 2026) (YouTube (official video platform))
10 key details, one pattern: the timeline from teaser to release spans nearly three years, with a deliberate shift from theatrical to digital.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Film title | Iron Lung |
| Director | Mark Fischbach |
| Lead actor | Mark Fischbach |
| Based on | Iron Lung (2022 video game) |
| Theatrical release | January 30, 2026 |
| MPAA rating | R (horror violence, language) |
| Trailer 1 (teaser) | April 21, 2023 |
| Trailer 2 (final) | January 2026 |
| Production company | Not publicly disclosed |
| Streaming | Not announced |
The table confirms a film with a known release date but undisclosed budget and streaming plans.
Where can I watch the Iron Lung trailer?
Official trailer on YouTube
- The official trailer for Iron Lung was published on Markiplier’s YouTube channel on October 14, 2023 (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)). A release-date trailer followed on December 5, 2025, when ticket pre-sales opened (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)). The final trailer appeared in January 2026.
Theatrical and event trailers
- Before the film’s theatrical rollout, trailers played in theaters that were confirmed to screen the movie. Fans could also request showings at local theaters, which led to wider distribution at chains like Cinemark, AMC, and Regal (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
Where not to watch (pirated sources)
- No official streaming or digital purchase links exist beyond YouTube as of early 2025. Any claims of Netflix availability are unconfirmed. Avoid unauthorized uploads; only the official YouTube channel and IMDb video section currently host the trailers.
For fans tracking the trailer across platforms, the only confirmed source remains YouTube. The lack of a Netflix tie-in means no exclusive trailer premieres on streaming services.
Is Iron Lung an actual movie?
Confirmation of film adaptation
- Yes, Iron Lung is a genuine film adaptation of the 2022 video game by David Szymanski. Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) announced the project and released a teaser on April 21, 2023 (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
Director and cast details
- Mark Fischbach serves as writer, editor, and director, and also stars in the lead role. The cast includes Troy Baker (YouTube (official video platform)).
Production timeline
- Filming took place in Austin, Texas (IMDb (film industry database)). The film was shot and edited by Fischbach himself, with a theatrical release date set for January 30, 2026.
The implication: Fischbach turned a video game into a theatrical release without major studio backing.
Despite the wide release, the film’s production company remains undisclosed, and the budget has not been made public. This leaves uncertainty about the project’s financing.
What is the release date of the Iron Lung movie?
Theatrical release date
- Iron Lung was released exclusively in theaters on January 30, 2026, in the United States and Canada (IMDb (film industry database)). The film opened in India on March 13, 2026 (YouTube (official video platform)).
Potential streaming or VOD dates
- No streaming or digital purchase date was announced at the time of theatrical release. The film later debuted on YouTube on May 29, 2026, two days earlier than initially announced (YouTube (official video platform)). The YouTube release was exclusive to YouTube Movies and Google TV in the initial rollout (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
Trailer release dates
- Teaser: April 21, 2023. Official trailer: October 14, 2023. Release-date trailer: December 5, 2025. Final trailer: January 2026.
Viewers who missed the theatrical window had to wait until late May for the YouTube release. That gap between cinema and digital may frustrate impatient fans but rewards those who prefer the big-screen experience.
The pattern: Fischbach bypassed traditional streaming services, opting for a direct-to-YouTube release after a theatrical run.
Will Iron Lung be on Netflix?
Current streaming rights status
- As of early 2025, there is no confirmed Netflix release for Iron Lung (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)). The film was released as a theatrical exclusive before moving to YouTube, bypassing subscription streaming services entirely.
Netflix content acquisition patterns
- Netflix occasionally acquires theatrical titles after their cinema runs, but no deal involving Iron Lung has been announced. Given the film’s independent nature and its eventual free YouTube premiere, a Netflix license seems unlikely in the near term.
Other streaming possibilities
- Streaming rights could shift after the theatrical and YouTube windows expire. However, YouTube’s announcement on June 2, 2026 stated that Iron Lung was available exclusively on YouTube (YouTube (official post)).
The catch: YouTube’s exclusive deal may prevent a Netflix release for the foreseeable future.
How scary is the Iron Lung?
Horror elements in the game
- The original Iron Lung video game is a psychological horror experience set in a claustrophobic submarine on an ocean of blood. The game relies on atmosphere, minimal resources, and impending dread rather than jump scares.
Film adaptation tone
- The film adaptation is rated R for horror violence and language (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)). Early reviews from screenings describe it as “intensely suspenseful” (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)). The oppressive atmosphere of the game appears to translate directly to film.
Viewer advisory and age rating
- MPAA rating: R (horror violence, language). The film is not suitable for children under 17 without adult supervision.
If you appreciated the game’s sense of confinement, the film likely amplifies it. Viewers sensitive to claustrophobic settings may find it particularly intense.
What this means: viewers who prefer atmospheric dread over gore will find the film more compelling.
Upsides and downsides of Iron Lung
Upsides
- Authentic adaptation created by the original game’s fanbase figurehead (Markiplier)
- Wide theatrical release in over 4,000 theaters worldwide
- Free YouTube premiere after theatrical run
- Strong community engagement via theater requests
Downsides
- No Netflix or major streaming deal as of 2025
- Limited initial theatrical expansion required fan demand
- Unclear digital purchase/rental options
- Run time and full plot details not officially disclosed
The pattern: the film’s strength lies in its direct connection to the fanbase, but it lacks the distribution infrastructure of a studio-backed release.
Iron Lung release timeline
- March 2022: Original Iron Lung video game released on Steam.
- April 21, 2023: Markiplier announces film adaptation and releases teaser trailer (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
- October 14, 2023: Official trailer on Markiplier’s YouTube channel (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
- December 5, 2025: Release-date trailer and ticket pre-sales open (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
- January 30, 2026: Theatrical release in the US and Canada (IMDb (film industry database)).
- March 13, 2026: India theatrical release (YouTube (official video platform)).
- May 17, 2026: Markiplier announces YouTube debut for May 31 (Deadline Hollywood (entertainment news outlet)).
- May 29, 2026: Film released early on YouTube in the US, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (YouTube (official video platform)).
- June 2, 2026: YouTube confirms exclusive availability on the platform (YouTube (official post)).
The implication: the nearly three-year timeline from teaser to YouTube debut reflects a deliberate strategy of controlled rollout.
What we know vs. what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- The film exists and is directed by Mark Fischbach.
- Theatrical release date is January 30, 2026.
- Final trailer was released in January 2026.
- Teaser trailer released in April 2023.
- The film was shown in 4,161 theaters worldwide.
- YouTube debut occurred on May 29, 2026.
What’s unclear
- Whether the film will stream on Netflix or any other platform.
- How long the theatrical run will last before digital release.
- Full plot details beyond the game’s premise.
- Production budget and company details.
The pattern: the balance between confirmed facts and unknowns highlights the film’s independent nature.
Key quotes on Iron Lung
“Iron Lung will debut on YouTube on May 31, 2026.”
– Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), via Deadline Hollywood (entertainment news outlet)
“Iron Lung is now available exclusively on YouTube.”
– YouTube official post, June 2, 2026 (YouTube (official post))
“The film adaptation is expected to stay true to the game’s oppressive atmosphere.”
– Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)
What this means: the film’s authenticity and exclusive YouTube release are the key takeaways from official statements.
Summary and what’s at stake
For US horror fans, the decision is clear: catch the theatrical run if you can, or wait for the YouTube release on May 31. But with no Netflix deal, the theatrical window is your only guaranteed viewing option for now. Fischbach’s strategy means viewers rely on YouTube or theaters, not subscription services.
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For those in New Zealand, the film’s New Zealand theater release offers specific details on local screenings and dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Iron Lung based on a true story?
No. Iron Lung is a sci-fi horror film adapted from a video game of the same name by David Szymanski. The game’s plot involves a convict exploring an ocean of blood on a distant planet — entirely fictional.
Who is the director of Iron Lung?
Mark Fischbach, known online as Markiplier, wrote, directed, edited, and starred in the film (Wikipedia (open-edited film summary)).
What is the plot of the Iron Lung movie?
Based on the game, the story follows a convict sent to investigate an ocean of blood on a desolate moon. The film’s full plot details have not been widely disclosed, but it retains the claustrophobic horror of the original.
How long is the Iron Lung movie?
The runtime has not been officially announced as of early 2025. Check IMDb or the film’s official page for updates.
Will the Iron Lung movie have a sequel?
No sequel has been announced. The film adaptation currently stands alone.
What is the budget of the Iron Lung movie?
The production budget has not been made public. Given the independent nature and single-creator involvement, it is assumed to be modest.
Is Iron Lung available in IMAX?
The film was not released in IMAX. It played in standard digital theaters and later on YouTube.
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