Midjourney launches V1, its first AI video model

Midjourney, the renowned AI image generation startup known for its surreal visual style and Discord-only user base, has officially launched its first AI video generation model, V1. Announced on Wednesday, V1 marks the company’s debut in the fast-evolving world of AI-generated video, joining a competitive field alongside OpenAI’s Sora, Runway’s Gen-4, Adobe’s Firefly, and Google’s Veo 3.

From Image to Motion

V1 is an image-to-video model — users can upload their own images or use ones created by Midjourney’s other AI tools, and V1 will generate four five-second videos per prompt. For now, the tool is available only via Discord on the web, continuing Midjourney’s unique approach to product access.

What sets Midjourney apart from its peers is a continued focus on creativity and artistic expression, rather than purely commercial or corporate use cases. Where competitors are developing tools for B-roll production or advertising visuals, Midjourney aims to build the foundation for real-time open-world simulations, according to CEO David Holz.

A Step Toward Real-Time AI and 3D Worlds

V1 is just the beginning. In a blog post accompanying the launch, Holz outlined Midjourney’s longer-term ambitions: moving beyond video into 3D renderings and real-time interactive models. This vision positions the company as not just a content generation platform, but as a potential player in the future of immersive digital environments.

Despite the experimental nature of V1, it offers some customization options. Users can:

• Choose between automatic or manual animation modes
• Adjust motion settings (low or high)
• Extend video clips in four-second increments, up to a total of 21 seconds

Initial feedback on V1 has been largely positive, with early demos showcasing the company’s signature dreamlike aesthetic. However, it remains to be seen how V1 stacks up in quality and control compared to competitors with more mature offerings.

Legal Challenges Loom

The launch comes at a turbulent time for Midjourney. Just one week ago, the company was hit with a lawsuit from Disney and Universal, alleging that its image models generate unauthorized likenesses of copyrighted characters, including Darth Vader and Homer Simpson. The suit highlights ongoing tensions between creative industries and generative AI companies, as fears of copyright infringement and labor displacement intensify.

Midjourney has attempted to distance itself from the commercial focus of other AI companies, but these legal challenges underscore how difficult it is to avoid controversy in the generative AI space.

Pricing and Access

Accessing V1 won’t come cheap. Midjourney says video generations will cost 8x more than image generations, meaning users could quickly deplete their monthly credits. Pricing plans include:

• $10/month Basic Plan – Limited access to video features
• $60/month Pro Plan and $120/month Mega Plan – Unlimited generations in slower “Relax” mode

The company plans to reassess its video pricing in the coming weeks based on user demand and usage patterns.

With V1, Midjourney signals a bold evolution in its creative AI roadmap. While legal and market hurdles remain, its ambition to move toward real-time, immersive AI-generated worlds sets it apart from the crowd — and could define the company’s next chapter in the rapidly shifting landscape of generative media.