OpenAI Brings AI to Hollywood With “Critterz”

OpenAI, has announced “Critterz,” the first feature-length animated film created largely with artificial intelligence.

The movie is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, before heading to theaters worldwide.

What Is “Critterz” About?

“Critterz” tells the story of a group of quirky forest creatures whose peaceful lives are disrupted by a stranger.

The film mixes adventure, comedy, and fantasy while exploring themes of community and courage.

The idea came from Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI, who first experimented with AI tools back in 2023 to make a short film also called “Critterz.”

That short, which blended science documentary style with animated comedy, showed the potential of AI in storytelling.

Nelson is now leading the expanded project into a full-length feature.

How AI Is Making the Movie

Unlike traditional animated films that take years to make, “Critterz” will use a hybrid workflow of AI tools and human creativity.

AI Contributions

• GPT-5 is writing the script and helping with story development.
• DALL·E and other image models are generating characters, environments, and background art.
• Sora, OpenAI’s video model, may assist with pre-visualization and scene creation.
• AI systems can turn hand-drawn sketches into fully animated 3D visuals.

Human Input

• Professional voice actors will bring the characters to life.
• Human artists and animators are sketching initial designs and refining AI-generated visuals.
• The screenplay is co-written by the team behind Paddington in Peru.
• Editors and directors will ensure the movie keeps the polish and feel of a studio-level production.
• This AI + human collaboration is designed to speed up production while keeping creative quality high.

Budget and Timeline

Critterz budget: Under $30 million.

By comparison, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 cost $200 million, and Disney’s Tangled topped $200 million.

Production: About 9 months.

Traditional animated films: 3–4 years.

James Richardson, co-founder of Vertigo Films (one of the production partners), explained, “We’re attempting to make the movie in nine months instead of three years. AI makes that possible.”

Who’s Behind the Film?

The film is being produced through a collaboration of companies across the U.S. and Europe:

• Vertigo Films (UK).
• Native Foreign (Los Angeles-based studio specializing in AI content).
• Federation Studios (Paris-based, providing funding and distribution support).

About 30 contributors are working on the project and will share profits under a new AI-era compensation model.

Why OpenAI Is Doing This

• For OpenAI, “Critterz” is more than just a movie—it’s a case study.
• By making a full-length film, the company wants to show Hollywood and the public what AI can do in creative industries.
• Instead of just saying its tools are powerful, OpenAI is demonstrating it on the biggest stage: the movie business.
• If “Critterz” succeeds, it could encourage film studios to integrate AI into their production pipelines.

What’s Next?

Voice casting starts soon, with production already underway. “Critterz” is set to wrap in early 2026 for its Cannes debut.

Its success will reveal if AI films can truly win over Hollywood and audiences.

News Gist

OpenAI is backing “Critterz,” the first major AI-generated animated film set for global release in 2026.

Combining GPT-5, DALL·E, and human talent, the project promises faster, cheaper production—set to debut at Cannes Film Festival.

FAQs

Q1. What is “Critterz”?

An AI-assisted animated movie produced with OpenAI tools, debuting in 2026.

Q2. Who created the story?

Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI.

Q3. Which AI tools are used?

GPT-5 for script, DALL·E for visuals, and Sora for scene generation.

Q4. How much is the budget?

Under $30 million—far lower than typical animated films.

Q5. When and where will it premiere?

At Cannes Film Festival, May 2026.

Q6. Who are the production partners?

Vertigo Films, Native Foreign, and Federation Studios.