OpenAI has announced Critterz, its first AI-powered animated film, which is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026. The movie is being developed in collaboration with Vertigo Films and Native Foreign, combining advanced AI tools with traditional filmmaking techniques. The production was completed in just nine months with a budget of under $30 million, making it significantly faster and cheaper than conventional animated films.
OpenAI’s latest technologies, including GPT-5, were used for scriptwriting, animation, and production workflows. Despite the heavy use of AI, the film includes professional voice actors, traditional sketch-based artistry, and a script written by the creators of Paddington in Peru.
The project has raised debates within the film industry over intellectual property, creative authenticity, and union concerns. OpenAI presents Critterz as a proof of concept, showing how AI can enhance filmmaking rather than replace human creativity.
