Markiplier’s Iron Lung rakes in $17.8 million during its opening weekend, but falls short to the top spot claimed by the new horror film Send Help from the director of Evil Dead.

Markiplier’s directorial debut, Iron Lung, made a significant splash during its opening weekend at the box office.

This sci-fi horror film features YouTuber Markiplier, whose real name is Mark Fischbach, in a multifaceted role as writer, director, and lead actor. The plot follows a convict, played by Markiplier, who embarks on a harrowing mission through a blood ocean on a post-apocalyptic moon, trapped inside a submarine. The film draws inspiration from the 2022 video game of the same name.

In the United States, Iron Lung raked in an impressive $17.8 million, with a production budget reported to be under $3 million. The global total stands at $21.7 million.

This places Iron Lung at number two on the US box office charts for the weekend, just behind Sam Raimi’s latest film, Send Help, which earned around $20 million (though some reports suggest it might be closer to $18 million). Send Help features Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, telling the story of a woman stranded on a desert island with her overbearing boss. Its worldwide total is reported at $28.1 million, with $20 million coming from domestic earnings.

While Iron Lung holds a mixed critics’ score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a much more favorable audience score of 89%. The cast also includes Caroline Rose Kaplan, Troy Baker, Elsie Lovelock, Elle LaMont, David Pettitt, and Seán McLoughlin.

The film is currently showing in theaters.