Midjourney V1: AI Video Generation Arrives – Features, Pricing & Future

The landscape of artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, transforming how we create, consume, and interact with digital content. Among the most exciting recent developments is the foray of prominent AI platforms into generative video. For years, Midjourney has been synonymous with cutting-edge AI image generation, captivating artists and enthusiasts with its ability to conjure stunning visuals from mere text prompts. Now, the platform is taking an ambitious leap forward, introducing its much-anticipated V1 video model.

This innovative release marks a significant milestone, democratizing access to AI-powered video creation and opening up new avenues for digital expression. While still in its nascent stages, Midjourney’s V1 video generator promises to be a game-changer, offering a compelling blend of artistic capability and affordability. This article delves deep into Midjourney’s new offering, exploring its features, pricing, competitive standing, and the broader implications for the future of creative industries.

MIDJOURNEY’S NEW FRONTIER: AI VIDEO GENERATION HAS ARRIVED

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Midjourney, widely recognized for its high-quality AI image generation, officially launched its V1 video model. This announcement, made by founder David Holz, signals Midjourney’s expansion into the dynamic and rapidly growing field of generative AI video. The new tool empowers users to transform static images, whether newly uploaded or previously generated within the Midjourney platform, into dynamic, short-form video clips.

This strategic move positions Midjourney to compete within an increasingly crowded yet promising market. The introduction of V1 is not just about adding a new feature; it’s about making advanced video generation accessible to a broader audience, building on the platform’s existing user base and reputation for artistic output.

THE EMERGENCE OF MIDJOURNEY V1 VIDEO MODEL

The core functionality of Midjourney’s V1 video model is its ability to animate a still image into a brief video sequence. This initial iteration focuses on simplicity and artistic motion, providing a foundation for future enhancements. Here’s a closer look at its current capabilities:

• Key Feature: The V1 model excels at generating short, impactful video clips, breathing life into static imagery. Users can select an existing AI-generated image from their gallery or upload a new one to serve as the foundational “starting frame” for their video.
• Duration & Source: Each “video job” initially produces a 5-second clip. This short duration is designed to provide quick results and allow for iterative experimentation. The simplicity of using an image as a starting point makes it intuitive for current Midjourney users to transition into video creation.
• Resolution: Videos are generated in 480p resolution. While not high-definition, this resolution is suitable for initial experimentation and sharing on various digital platforms, offering a balance between quality and processing speed.

Users have two primary options for directing the animation: an “auto” (default) mode that intelligently applies motion to the image, and a “manual” option that allows for text-based prompts to guide the desired movement. Furthermore, two distinct motion settings—”low-motion” and “high-motion”—offer nuanced control over the generated video’s dynamism.

• Low-Motion: This setting is ideal for scenes where subtle animation is preferred, such as ambient background movement or slight adjustments to the primary subject, keeping the overall scene relatively stable. It aims for a more realistic and less distracting animation.
• High-Motion: For more dramatic and dynamic effects, the high-motion setting allows both the subject within the image and the virtual camera to move more extensively. While capable of producing visually striking results, users should be aware that this setting can sometimes lead to more unrealistic or “glitchy” movements, as is common with early-stage generative AI models pushing boundaries.

An innovative feature is the ability to extend the generated video. Users can prolong their 5-second clips by an additional 4 seconds, up to four times, resulting in a maximum total video length of 21 seconds. This iterative extension process provides a degree of control and allows for the development of slightly longer narratives within the platform’s current limitations.

UNPACKING THE PRICING MODEL AND ACCESSIBILITY

One of Midjourney’s most compelling aspects has always been its accessible pricing, especially when compared to high-end professional tools. The V1 video model continues this trend, offering an attractive entry point into AI video generation.

• Subscription Tier: Access to Midjourney’s V1 video model starts at a competitive price of $10 per month. This subscription includes 3.3 hours of “fast” GPU time, which is the computational power required to generate images and videos.
• Cost Efficiency: According to David Holz, a single “video job” consumes computational resources roughly eight times greater than an image generation job. Despite this, Midjourney’s pricing remains notably more affordable than some of its high-profile competitors. For instance, OpenAI’s Sora, a more advanced text-to-video model, currently offers subscriptions ranging from $20 to $200 per month. Similarly, Google’s Flow has a base tier at $20 per month, with an “Ultra” tier priced at $249 per month. This significant price difference positions Midjourney V1 as a highly appealing option for individual creators, hobbyists, and small businesses looking to experiment with AI video without a substantial financial commitment.
• Future Adjustments: Holz has indicated that the company will closely monitor how users engage with the V1 model. This data will inform future pricing adjustments and the introduction of new tiers or features. This iterative approach to development and pricing is common in the fast-paced AI industry, allowing companies to adapt to user demand and technological advancements.

Currently, the V1 video generator is exclusively accessible through Midjourney’s official website. While many users interact with Midjourney via its Discord integration for image generation, for video creation, users must log in directly on the website, typically using the “continue with Discord” option to link their accounts seamlessly.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR FIRST MIDJOURNEY AI VIDEO

Getting started with Midjourney’s V1 video generator is designed to be straightforward for anyone familiar with the platform’s image generation process. Here’s a detailed guide:

• Accessing the Platform: Begin by navigating to the official Midjourney website. If you typically use Midjourney via Discord, you’ll need to log in directly on the website. Look for a “continue with Discord” button to link your existing account. This will give you access to the web interface where the video generation tool resides.
• Selecting Your Starting Frame: Once logged in, you’ll need an image to animate. This can be an image you’ve previously generated within Midjourney and saved to your gallery, or a new image you upload directly to the platform. This chosen image will serve as the “starting frame” for your video, dictating its initial visual content.
• Initiating the Animation: After selecting your image, you should see an “animate image” button or a similar prompt. Clicking this will begin the process of converting your still image into a video.
• Choosing Motion Style: Midjourney offers options to control the animation’s style:
  • Auto (Default): For a quick and easy start, the auto option will apply a default motion to your image. This is great for new users or when you want to quickly see how an image animates.
  • Manual (Text Prompt): For more creative control, select the manual option. This will allow you to enter a text prompt, similar to how you generate images, describing the kind of motion you desire. For example, you might prompt for “subtle wind blowing through leaves” or “camera panning across a landscape.”

  Additionally, you will choose between “low-motion” or “high-motion” settings. Select “low-motion” for subtle, ambient animations where only specific elements or the subject gently move. Opt for “high-motion” if you want more dynamic camera movements or significant object motion, though be mindful that this can sometimes introduce less realistic “glitchy” effects in this early version.

• Extending Your Video: Once the initial 5-second video is generated, Midjourney provides an option to extend its duration. You can add an additional 4 seconds to the clip, repeating this process up to four times. This means a single video generation sequence can result in a maximum of 21 seconds of animated content, allowing for slightly longer and more developed narratives than the initial 5-second default.

The process is designed for iterative creation, allowing users to experiment with different prompts and motion settings to achieve their desired visual outcome. The 480p resolution ensures that the generation process is relatively fast, making it easy to create multiple versions and refine your creative vision.

MIDJOURNEY V1 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE AI VIDEO LANDSCAPE

Midjourney’s entry into the AI video domain places it alongside some formidable players, notably OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Flow. Each of these models brings unique strengths and target audiences to the table, shaping the overall trajectory of generative video technology.

• OpenAI Sora: Sora has garnered significant attention for its ability to generate highly realistic and complex video scenes from text prompts. Its demonstrations have showcased impressive capabilities in understanding complex prompts, maintaining object persistence, and generating coherent, multi-shot sequences. Sora is often perceived as a more high-end, professional-grade tool, capable of producing near-cinematic quality, which is reflected in its higher subscription costs and limited access, often targeted at content creators and film production.
• Google Flow: While less publicly showcased than Sora, Google’s Flow also represents a powerful advancement in AI video. Google’s vast research capabilities in AI and its integration across various products suggest that Flow could become a versatile tool, potentially integrated into broader creative suites or advertising platforms. Its pricing model, similar to Sora, positions it for more dedicated or professional use cases.
• Midjourney’s Niche: Midjourney V1, in contrast, appears to be carving out a niche focused on accessibility, affordability, and creative experimentation for a broader audience. By starting with image-to-video generation and a lower resolution, Midjourney simplifies the process, making it less computationally intensive and therefore more economical. This approach aligns with Midjourney’s existing strength in visual artistry, allowing users to leverage their already impressive image creations and bring them to life. Its current focus on shorter clips and image animation rather than complex text-to-video narratives distinguishes it, making it ideal for social media content, short artistic loops, or as a starting point for more elaborate projects that might later be refined with other tools.

The competitive landscape is dynamic, with each company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Midjourney’s strategy seems to be one of widespread adoption and ease of use, potentially building a large community of AI video creators who can then push the limits of the tool through collective innovation and feedback.

THE CRITICAL CONVERSATION AROUND COPYRIGHT AND AI GENERATION

As AI generative tools become more sophisticated, the issue of intellectual property and copyright infringement has become a central and often contentious topic. Midjourney, despite its technological advancements, is not immune to these challenges, as evidenced by ongoing legal battles.

• The Lawsuit’s Genesis: Midjourney is currently facing a significant lawsuit from major entertainment powerhouses, including Disney and Universal. The core of the accusation centers on copyright infringement, alleging that Midjourney’s AI models were trained on copyrighted material without proper authorization or compensation to the original creators. The plaintiffs claim that Midjourney has failed to implement sufficient safeguards to prevent users from generating images or, by extension, videos, that directly mimic or heavily derive from copyrighted characters, designs, or artistic styles. This raises fundamental questions about data sourcing for AI models and the responsibility of AI developers to prevent misuse.
• Broader Implications: This lawsuit is not isolated; it’s part of a larger, global debate on how existing copyright laws apply to AI-generated content. Artists, writers, and various creative industries are grappling with the implications of AI models being trained on their vast bodies of work without explicit consent or licensing agreements. The legal outcomes of cases like the one against Midjourney could set crucial precedents for the future of AI development, intellectual property rights, and fair use in the digital age. It could influence how AI models are trained, what safeguards they must incorporate, and how creators are compensated.
• The Path Forward: Midjourney has yet to issue a public statement specifically addressing the Disney and Universal lawsuit. However, the resolution of such legal challenges will likely impact the company’s operational policies, its model training methodologies, and potentially its future offerings. For users, it highlights the importance of understanding the ethical implications of AI tools and being mindful of copyright when generating and distributing content. The industry is actively seeking solutions, from new licensing frameworks to technical methods of provenance tracking and artist opt-out mechanisms, to navigate these complex ethical and legal waters.

The copyright debate underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between technology developers, legal experts, and creative communities to establish a sustainable and equitable framework for AI-assisted creation.

THE FUTURE HORIZONS OF AI VIDEO AND MIDJOURNEY’S EVOLUTION

The release of Midjourney’s V1 video model is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for the platform and the broader AI video industry. The rate of innovation in generative AI suggests that today’s cutting-edge features will be standard tomorrow, and entirely new capabilities will emerge.

• Technological Advancements: For Midjourney, the progression from V1 is likely to include significant enhancements:
  • Higher Resolution: Moving beyond 480p to HD (720p, 1080p) and eventually 4K video generation, improving visual fidelity.
  • Longer Durations: Expanding beyond 21 seconds to enable the creation of more substantial video clips, short films, or even full-length content.
  • Enhanced Control: Offering more granular control over camera movements, lighting, character expressions, and physics within the generated scenes.
  • Text-to-Video Capabilities: While V1 is image-to-video, a logical next step would be robust text-to-video generation, allowing users to create content from pure descriptive prompts, much like Sora.
  • Audio Integration: Incorporating AI-generated soundscapes, dialogue, or music to complement the visuals, creating fully immersive experiences.
  • Style Transfer and Consistency: Improving the ability to maintain consistent artistic styles across multiple generated clips and seamlessly transition between different scenes.
• Industry Transformation: The widespread availability of accessible AI video tools like Midjourney V1 will revolutionize numerous industries:
  • Marketing & Advertising: Enabling small businesses and individual marketers to create high-quality, engaging video advertisements and social media content without extensive budgets or professional video production teams.
  • Entertainment: Streamlining pre-visualization, concept art, and animation processes for filmmakers and game developers, allowing for rapid prototyping and iteration. It could also empower independent creators to produce short films and web series.
  • Education: Creating dynamic visual aids and interactive learning materials.
  • Personal Content Creation: Democratizing video creation for everyday users, from social media influencers to family historians looking to animate old photographs.
• Ethical Considerations: Alongside the advancements, the ethical debates will intensify. Issues such as deepfakes, misinformation, intellectual property, and the displacement of traditional creative roles will require careful consideration and the development of robust ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks. Midjourney, like other leaders in the field, will play a crucial role in navigating these challenges responsibly.

The journey of AI video generation has just begun, and Midjourney V1 represents a significant step on this exciting path. Its future evolution will undoubtedly shape how we perceive and create digital moving images.

CONCLUSION: EMBRACING THE VISUAL REVOLUTION

Midjourney’s introduction of its V1 AI video generator is a testament to the relentless innovation within the artificial intelligence sector. By leveraging its established strengths in image generation and prioritizing accessibility, Midjourney has positioned itself as a compelling option for a wide array of users eager to explore the possibilities of animated AI content. While still in its early stages, with limitations such as resolution and duration, the V1 model offers a user-friendly and affordable gateway into a revolutionary creative domain.

As the competitive landscape continues to heat up with players like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Flow, Midjourney’s focus on iterative development and community engagement will be key to its continued success. The ongoing conversations around copyright and ethical use remain paramount, underscoring the collective responsibility of developers and users alike to foster a creative environment that is both innovative and equitable. For creators, businesses, and enthusiasts, the time to experiment and engage with AI video is now. Midjourney V1 offers a powerful and approachable tool to begin shaping the visual future.