Box Office: ‘Iron Lung’ Sinks the Competition With $8.9 Million; ‘Send Help’ Survives in Second Place

A flurry of newcomers from familiar faces (Sam Raimi and Jason Statham) and unexpected places (Melania Trump and Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach) hit the box office on Friday, but Fischbach’s indie horror “The Iron Lung” came out on top.

“Iron Lung” pulled in an estimated $8.9 million on Friday from 3,015 theaters for a first-place finish, an impressive result considering the film was self-distributed and funded by YouTube superstar Fischbach, aka Markiplier. Domestic gross should climb to $17 million through Sunday, well past initial projections of $10 million. Based on the 2022 indie horror game, the film is co-directed by the game’s developer, David Szymanski, and Fischbach, who also stars.

“Iron Lung” follows a fugitive in a post-apocalyptic future who, after a world-ending event known as “The Quiet Rapture,” must scavenge natural resources in an ocean of blood. Other cast members include Troy Baker, Elsie Lovelock, Seán McLoughlin and Caroline Kaplan.

“Send Help,” a bloody desert island thriller from the “Evil Dead” mastermind Raimi, landed at No. 2 with $7.2 million on Friday from 3,475 North American theaters. Disney and 20th Century are hoping for $18 million by Sunday, a figure that could easily climb higher. Raimi, a fan favorite among horror fans, combined with the bankability of the genre, could spell sleeper hit status for “Send Help.” Although settling for second on Friday, “Send Help” is expected to win the weekend. The film carries a $40 million price tag.

Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien headline “Send Help,” which follows an overworked and undervalued employee (McAdams) and her younger, douchey boss (O’Brien), whose power dynamic is reversed after their plane crashes on a remote island.

In third place was Brett Ratner’s “Melania,” which follows the First Lady in the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. The doc grossed $2.9 million on Friday from 1,778 theaters. The film looks to earn $8.1 million by Sunday, a significant uptick from initial projections of $3 million to $5 million. Amazon MGM spent $40 million to acquire the film. “Melania” is Ratner’s first big-screen bout since sexual assault allegations in 2017 saw him black listed from the industry. He will also soon direct “Rush Hour 4,” reportedly at the White House’s request.

Fourth place went to the Statham action vehicle “Shelter” from indie banner Black Bear. The film made $1.9 million domestically on Friday from 2,726 theaters. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (”Angel Has Fallen,” “Greenland”), the film is projected to reach $5 million by Sunday. The film cost $50 million.

“Shelter” follows Statham as a reclusive man who rescues a girl from the sea, setting off a deadly chain of events that forces him to confront his dark past. Other cast members include Harriet Walter, Bill Nighy, Daniel Mays, Naomi Ackie and Bodhi Rae Breathnach.

Fifth place went to Disney holdover “Zootopia 2.” The animated sequel earned $1.3 million on Friday. It should add $5.8 million by Sunday, bringing the domestic total to about $408 million.