Midjourney launches V1, the AI startup famous for its surreal image generation tools, is making a bold leap into video. Recently, the company unveiled V1, its long-awaited video-generation model that promises to breathe life into your static images.
It’s a big move for Midjourney as it throws the company into direct competition with other big-hitters like OpenAI, Runway, Adobe and Google.
Image Credit : Midjourney
- Midjourney launches V1, an AI image-to-video model
- The model creates short five-second videos from images with manual or auto motion control
- The pricing starts at $10 monthly, with higher plans for unlimited, slower video generation
Midjourney launches V1 – its first AI video tool
Midjourney has officially released the Midjourney V1 AI video generation model, a groundbreaking tool that lets users animate still images into short video clips. This marks a major expansion for the platform, which until now was strictly an image-generation service. Here’s what you need to know about Midjourney V1 AI video generation model, why it’s made waves, and what’s next.
Midjourney was one of the early names in the space for AI-generated still images, even as other platforms have pushed the forefront of the discussions around artificial intelligence development. Google’s latest I/O conference included several new tools for AI generated video, such as the text-to-video Veo 3 model and a tool for filmmakers called Flow. OpenAI’s Sora, which debuted last year, is also a text-to-video option, while the more recent Firefly Video Model from Adobe can create video from a text or image prompt.
“Our goal is to give you something fun, easy, beautiful, and affordable so that everyone can explore. We think we’ve struck a solid balance,” says the June 18 blog post, which is signed “David” (presumably Midjourney founder and CEO David Holz).
What is Midjourney V1 AI video generation model?
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Image-to-video capability: Users can now take any image—created or uploaded—and press “Animate” to generate a 5‑second clip. Extensions allow up to 21 seconds total.
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Motion controls: Choose between low-motion for subtle effects or high-motion for dynamic scenes. You can also switch between automatic and manual prompts to customize the animation .
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Accessible platforms: Available via both Midjourney’s website and Discord, making it easy to try straight from your existing workflow.
Popular on Variety: Why it’s gaining attention
The long-term vision, according to Midjourney, is “an AI system that generates imagery in real-time. You can command it to move around in 3D space, the environments and characters also move, and you can interact with everything.”
In the blog post, David writes, “We ask that you please use these technologies responsibly. Properly utilized it’s not just fun, it can also be really useful, or even profound — to make old and new worlds suddenly alive.”
Midjourney has not issued a public statement about the Disney-NBCU lawsuit or responded to requests for comment. According to the studios, Midjourney is “the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism” that has profited from their intellectual property. “Piracy is piracy, and whether an infringing image or video is made with AI or another technology does not make it any less infringing.
The company also is allowing users to animate images “uploaded from outside of Midjourney.” To do this, users can drag an image to the prompt bar and mark it as a “start frame,” then type a motion prompt to describe how they want it to be animated.
Pricing and availability
Midjourney has announced that its V1 video‑generation model will cost eight times more than standard image generation, meaning users will deplete their monthly generation quotas much faster when creating videos.
The most cost‑effective way to try V1 at launch is through Midjourney’s $ 10‑per‑month Basic plan. The $ 60‑per‑month Pro plan and $ 120‑per‑month Mega plan offer unlimited video production in the slower “Relax” mode, which queues jobs and may take longer to process. Midjourney intends to review its video‑model pricing within the next month.
Midjourney CEO David Holz revealed in a blog post that their AI‑video model is merely a stepping stone toward a broader objective: developing AI models capable of real‑time open‑world simulations.
David Holz : CEO of Midjourney
Following the V1 release, Midjourney plans to develop AI models for 3D rendering and real‑time applications.
What Makes Midjourney V1 Stand Out
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Seamless integration: Animating a static image is as easy as clicking “Animate”, making the transition from image to video intuitive.
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Customization: Control motion level, frame count, and prompts to sculpt exactly the vibe you want.
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Speed: Generates four variations in about a minute—fast enough for creative iteration
These strengths position V1 as a tool for creators experimenting with motion in their art, marketing, or storytelling.
Legal headwinds & Final Thoughts
Midjourney’s foray into video isn’t without consequences. The company is facing a major lawsuit from Disney and Universal, citing concerns over copyright infringement—especially given the ability to animate potentially protected content. The studios highlight that V1 video creation “makes things move” in unauthorized ways and could infringe their IP .
Despite the legal firestorm, Midjourney founder David Holz describes V1 as “a stepping stone” toward more ambitious projects, like real-time open-world simulations.
Final Thoughts : Midjourney V1 is a bold step into the realm of video creation—welcomed by creators, but challenged by legal scrutiny. As adoption grows, so will questions around copyright and creative ethics. Still, for artists and storytellers, it offers an immediate, accessible video animation tool that’s both powerful and affordable.
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