OpenAI has announced its involvement in Critterz, an animated feature film created with the support of AI. The film is expected to debut globally in 2026.
The company will provide both its tools and computing resources to accelerate production.
With this backing, the project aims to demonstrate how AI can shorten timelines and reduce costs in the filmmaking process.
Instead of the standard three years, the film will be completed in only nine months. Its budget, less than $30 million, also falls short of the typical cost of major animated productions.
A Sequel
The project builds on the success of the 2023 short film, Critterz. That short, directed by Chad Nelson, combined OpenAI’s DALL·E with traditional animation.
It screened at Annecy, Tribeca, and Cannes Lions. It also received a nomination for the PGA Innovation Award.
The positive reception encouraged producers to expand the concept. Now, Vertigo Films in London and Native Foreign in Los Angeles have joined the effort.
Writers James Lamont and Jon Foster, known for their work on ‘Paddington in Peru’, will shape the feature-length story. The plot will explore a world shared by AI creatures and humans.
Storytelling
The film’s producers hope to prove that generative AI can enrich, rather than replace, human creativity.
Allan Niblo and James Richardson from Vertigo, along with Mikhail Kleverov from Native Foreign, believe AI will help unlock new possibilities in storytelling.
Richardson noted that the original short film showed how AI tools could assist in telling “beautiful and entertaining stories.”
Nelson added that AI, especially DALL·E, had changed his creative process. Instead of spending weeks iterating on visuals, he could explore dozens of ideas in a fraction of the time.
Authenticity
Despite optimism, challenges remain. Some producers fear that audiences may view AI films as impersonal or lacking authenticity.
Traditional animation has long been valued for the human effort behind it. Whether an AI-assisted film can generate the same emotional response is still uncertain.
There are also concerns within the industry. Many artists and writers worry about job security as AI becomes more common.
At the same time, media companies are taking legal action to protect their intellectual property.
Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Comcast’s Universal have already filed lawsuits against MidJourney.
They argue the platform allows users to create unauthorized images of well-known characters, including Batman and Bugs Bunny.
OpenAI’s Investment
The film is only part of a larger financial picture. OpenAI has revealed that its spending between now and 2029 could reach $115 billion, a sharp rise from earlier estimates.
Much of this budget will go toward building in-house hardware and data centers. By doing so, the company hopes to reduce reliance on external cloud providers.
In 2025 alone, OpenAI expects to spend more than $8 billion, about $1.5 billion above its previous forecast.
Hollywood
The success or failure of Critterz could have significant implications. If audiences respond positively, AI films may become more common.
Studios could produce animated features faster and at lower cost. Independent filmmakers might also gain access to tools that once required major studio backing.
If audiences reject the project, however, doubts about AI in art will deepen.
