September 9, 2025

Hold onto your popcorn! OpenAI, the brains behind ChatGPT, is diving headfirst into Hollywood with a unique animated film called "Critterz." This movie isn't just another cartoon; it’s mostly made using artificial intelligence tools! Imagine creating a full movie with lightning speed and a pocket-friendly budget. "Critterz" is set to prove just that. The story follows adorable woodland creatures on an adventure after a stranger invades their village. Producers aim to make a splash by premiering the film at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, followed by a worldwide release. Here's the real kicker: the whole project has a budget of under $30 million and a production timeline of only nine months! That’s a tiny fraction of the usual $100-200 million price tag and the three years it typically takes to make big animated movies. The film sprang from a simple short made by Chad Nelson, a creative expert at OpenAI. Starting three years ago, he used the company's DALL-E image tool to dream up the concept. Now, teaming up with London’s Vertigo Films and LA’s Native Foreign studio, Chad’s short film is growing into a full-length showstopper. Explaining why this matters, Chad said, "OpenAI can say what its tools do all day long, but it's much more impactful if someone does it. That's a much better case study than me building a demo." This movie is a blend of human talent and cutting-edge AI. Artists sketch scenes, which are then transformed using OpenAI’s powerful GPT-5 and image generators. Plus, real human actors bring the characters’ voices to life. The script also boasts writers who worked on the hit "Paddington in Peru." But it’s not all smooth sailing. The rise of AI in Hollywood comes with drama. Big studios like Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery are fighting AI companies over copyrights. They have sued the AI firm Midjourney, claiming it illegally used their characters to train its models. The film "Critterz" is financed by Federation Studios, Vertigo's parent company based in Paris. Around 30 contributors will share profits through a special payout system. "Critterz" won’t be the first AI animated feature. In 2024, a tiny-budget film "DreadClub: Vampire's Verdict" and another called "Where the Robots Grow" were released. Fans and critics gave mixed reviews, wondering if AI can truly create movies that touch hearts. So, will "Critterz" be the AI revolution in movies? With its exciting mix of tech and talent, in a super-fast timeline and smart budget, it’s one film to watch. Get ready for a fun ride into the future of filmmaking!

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Tags: Openai, Critterz, Ai animated film, Chatgpt, Hollywood, Animation,