OpenAI is pushing into cinema with Critterz, an animated film produced largely using generative AI tools.
The project, developed in collaboration with Vertigo Films and Native Foreign, is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026 before a global theatrical release.
The film is being created on a budget of less than $30 million and a production timeline of just nine months. These figures are a fraction of the costs and schedules typically associated with animated features, which can run into hundreds of millions and take several years. OpenAI hopes this approach will convince hesitant Hollywood executives to consider AI as a viable tool for filmmaking.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Critterz will be powered by GPT-5, OpenAI’s flagship model released last month. The film will also utilise the company’s suite of AI technologies to support scriptwriting, animation, and production tasks that would normally require larger teams and resources.
Industry observers note that OpenAI faces a challenge in overcoming scepticism among talent, studios, and audiences. The use of AI in entertainment has prompted concerns over intellectual property rights, creative ownership, and the impact on jobs in the film industry.
However, the studio partners are positioning Critterz as a proof of concept that AI can complement, rather than replace, traditional filmmaking.
If successful, Critterz could mark a significant turning point for the integration of AI into mainstream film production.
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