“The coming era of AI-generated art will challenge how we define creativity itself.” - Demis Hassabis, CEO and Co-founder of DeepMind
Openai steps into ai-generated filmmaking
OpenAI is venturing into the world of cinema by supporting the creation of Critterz, an animated feature film largely produced with artificial intelligence. The movie, expected to release globally next year, demonstrates how AI can drastically reduce the cost and time required to make feature-length films compared to traditional Hollywood productions.
The story behind critterz
Critterz tells the story of forest creatures who embark on an adventure after a stranger disrupts their village. The concept originated from Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI, who initially experimented with OpenAI’s DALL·E image-generation tool three years ago. The project later evolved into a full-scale film, produced with Vertigo Films and other collaborators in London and Los Angeles.
A new chapter in film production
The movie’s budget is under $30 million, far less than the hundreds of millions spent on traditional animation. OpenAI is contributing its AI tools, including GPT-5 and image-generation models, to streamline creative and technical processes. The film’s success could signal a major shift in how studios approach storytelling and production efficiency.
Industry adapts to ai’s creative power
Major entertainment companies, including Disney and Netflix, are already experimenting with AI tools for animation and marketing. Yet, challenges remain around copyright, fair pay, and creative authorship as AI begins to share the artistic stage with humans. Vertigo’s parent company, Federation Studios, is also exploring compensation models for human contributors.
A glimpse of ai-driven storytelling
If Critterz performs well, it will prove AI’s ability to handle complex creative narratives. As Nelson noted, the film “reflects the kind of creativity and exploration we need for the AI future.” It may redefine not only animation but also the economics of filmmaking itself.

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