ultimateimp – OpenAI is entering the world of animated cinema with Critterz, a full-length film developed using generative AI tools like GPT-5 and DALL·E. The movie follows forest creatures forced to relocate after a mysterious outsider disturbs their peaceful village, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI, originally created Critterz as a short film in 2023. That project, also backed by OpenAI, used its image generation tools to bring the characters to life.
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The new feature-length version is being produced by London-based Vertigo Films and California-based Native Foreign. Writers involved in Paddington in Peru are penning the script, combining traditional storytelling with cutting-edge AI support. Despite its ambitious scope, Critterz has a budget of only $30 million, significantly lower than typical animated blockbusters. For comparison, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 reportedly cost around $200 million to produce.
Thanks to OpenAI’s tools, the team expects to finish the film within nine months. That’s a fraction of the three-year timeline often required for animated features. However, AI will not replace all human involvement. Artists will still create initial sketches, voice actors will bring characters to life, and human oversight will guide the creative direction. Approximately 30 people will work on the project.
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Chad Nelson and his team plan to premiere Critterz at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026. If successful, the project could serve as a proof of concept for AI’s value in filmmaking—saving both time and money while maintaining quality. Nelson believes this approach could shift Hollywood’s attitude toward artificial intelligence and encourage broader industry adoption.
Recent trends already show growing interest in AI-assisted production. For example, Netflix used AI to animate a building collapse in its Argentinian show The Eternaut. Director James Cameron has also expressed support for AI in filmmaking, suggesting it could double the speed of shot completion and free creatives to focus on more complex storytelling elements.
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Still, the human touch remains vital. While OpenAI’s models assist in visual generation and ideation, the production continues to rely on skilled writers, artists, and editors. This hybrid model allows for creative efficiency without compromising storytelling quality or artistic integrity.
As Critterz nears completion, industry observers are watching closely. If it resonates with audiences and critics, the film could redefine how animated movies are made in the AI era. Its performance at Cannes will serve as a key indicator of whether AI-generated cinema is ready for mainstream success.
