OpenAI is making a bold move into Hollywood with Critterz, an animated feature produced largely with its AI tools. The project is designed to prove that AI film production can deliver big-screen quality on a fraction of the usual budget.

AI film Critterz set for Cannes and 2026 release

According to The Wall Street Journal, Critterz will debut at the Cannes Film Festival before a global release in 2026. OpenAI has teamed up with Native Foreign in Los Angeles and Vertigo Films in London to handle production.

How AI is shaping the film

Unlike most animated features, Critterz relies heavily on OpenAI’s GPT-5 and other in-house AI systems. Production will reportedly take just nine months at a cost of under $30 million. By comparison, traditional animated blockbusters often cost $150–200 million and take several years to finish.

Here’s what makes Critterz unusual:

• Built primarily with AI-powered tools, led by GPT-5
• Nine-month schedule instead of multi-year production
• Budget under $30M, far below typical studio costs
• Produced in partnership with Native Foreign and Vertigo Films
• Planned debut at Cannes, followed by global theatrical release

Hollywood’s doubts about it

Convincing the industry may be tough. Many executives and artists remain wary of AI, citing risks tied to intellectual property, loss of creative agency, and reduced opportunities for human talent. While some studios experiment cautiously, many still see AI as a disruptive threat.

Can AI film win over Hollywood?

For OpenAI, Critterz is more than a movie; it’s a proof of concept. Success could show that AI is not only cost-efficient but also capable of complementing human creativity. Still, if audiences and studios reject the approach, the project could reinforce skepticism.

Either way, Critterz ensures that AI’s role in cinema won’t stay theoretical for long. Hollywood now faces a defining question: Will AI film be a gimmick or the industry’s next great leap?