OpenAI supports Critterz, the first animated film created with AI.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is taking a historic step in Hollywood by backing Critterz, an animated feature film developed primarily with artificial intelligence.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the project aims to demonstrate that a complete film can be produced with shorter timelines and a lower budget, combining algorithms with human creativity.

From experimental short film to feature film

Critterz began as a short film by Chad Nelson, an OpenAI creative, using Dall·E to generate images. Now it's expanding to 90 minutes with support from OpenAI, Vertigo Films, and the studio Native Foreign.

The story follows a group of forest creatures whose routine changes with the appearance of a strange being. The production will be completed in just nine months, a record time compared to the usual three or four years in the industry.

Budget and hybrid work model

With less than US$30 million, Critterz breaks the standard of more than US$150 million that major animated films usually cost. The financing includes Federation Studios and a profit-sharing scheme for about 30 people.

The project combines artificial intelligence and human work. OpenAI provides GPT-5, Dall·E, and the video generator Sora, while artists, screenwriters, and voice actors handle the creative aspect.

Premiere and industry challenges

The premiere is scheduled for May 2026 at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by international distribution. The goal is to test the viability of the hybrid model in a highly demanding environment.

The initiative is generating controversy in Hollywood. Doubts persist about the impact on employment for animators and screenwriters, copyright of AI-caused works, and the ability of these algorithms to sustain a feature film.