Midjourney, a popular AI image startup, has entered the video generation space with the launch of its new tool, V1. This model allows users to upload an image or use one generated within the Midjourney ecosystem and produce four five-second video clips from it. Like its image tools, V1 is only accessible via Discord on the web, maintaining the platform’s close-knit, community-led experience.
The release of V1 places Midjourney in direct competition with other major players like OpenAI’s Sora, Runway’s Gen 4, Google’s Veo, and Adobe’s Firefly. While many of these tools are built with commercial use cases in mind, Midjourney continues to position itself as a creativity-first company. CEO David Holz explained that this new video tool is not just for ads or B-roll, but a step toward building AI capable of real-time, open-world simulations. The company is already setting its sights on developing tools for 3D rendering and real-time outputs in the future.
However, the launch comes at a tense moment. Just a week earlier, Midjourney was hit with a lawsuit from Disney and Universal, accusing the platform of enabling users to generate images of protected characters like Homer Simpson and Darth Vader. The suit adds to the growing backlash from entertainment companies concerned about AI models replicating or replacing the work of human creators.
Despite these legal challenges, Midjourney is moving forward. The company plans to price video generations much higher than image generations, about eight times more, meaning users on the Basic $10 monthly plan will use up their credits faster when generating videos. Those on the higher-tier Pro ($60) and Mega ($120) plans can access unlimited video generation in a slower mode called “Relax.”
Users can experiment with settings that offer both random and manual animation options, and they can control camera or subject movement by choosing between “low motion” and “high motion” settings. Though each video clip starts at five seconds, users can extend it by up to 16 seconds for a total duration of 21 seconds.
Initial reviews of V1 highlight the dreamlike and artistic quality of the outputs, consistent with Midjourney’s visual style. However, questions remain about how it compares in performance and realism to more established rivals. Still, for its community of creatives, V1 represents an exciting new canvas to explore visual storytelling with AI.
