Midjourney, the company behind those surreal and detailed AI images you’ve probably seen online, just made a big move. On Wednesday, it launched its first-ever AI video model, called V1.
Let’s break down what it does, how it works, and whether it’s worth checking out.
So, What Is V1?
V1 is an image-to-video tool. It takes a single image — either one you upload or something made with Midjourney — and turns it into a short animated video.
- You get four short clips, each about 5 seconds long.
- Right now, it only works through Discord, just like Midjourney’s image generator.
- You’ll need to use it on a computer or web browser for now. No mobile support yet.
How You Can Use It
Using V1 is pretty straightforward. You upload an image (or pick one you’ve made with Midjourney), and the model gives you video options based on that image.
You can choose:
- Auto animation, where the AI decides how the picture should move.
- Or manual mode, where you type out what kind of movement you want.
There’s also a setting to control how much motion you want:
- Low motion if you want smooth and subtle animation.
High motion if you want it to feel more energetic and dramatic.
And here’s the fun part — while each video is 5 seconds long by default, you can add more time. You can extend it four times, for 4 seconds each, making your video up to 21 seconds total.
How Much Does It Cost?
Let’s talk pricing.
Creating videos costs more than generating images — about 8 times more, actually. That means your subscription credits might not go very far if you plan to make a lot of videos.
Here’s a breakdown of Midjourney’s plans:
- Basic Plan – $10/month: You can use video, but your credits will run out quickly.
- Pro Plan – $60/month: Gives you unlimited video (in slower “relax” mode).
- Mega Plan – $120/month: Also includes unlimited relaxed video creation.
Midjourney says it’s still experimenting with pricing and might adjust things in the next month.
What Do the Videos Look Like?
So far, early users say the videos feel a lot like Midjourney’s images — a bit dreamy, sometimes strange, and definitely not super realistic.
They’re creative and artsy, not the kind of videos you’d mistake for real-life footage. Think: trippy animations, surreal movement, glowing textures. That’s part of Midjourney’s charm.
If you’ve used other AI video tools like Runway, Pika, or Sora, you’ll notice that Midjourney is still carving out its own visual style.
What Makes V1 Special?
Here’s why this new tool stands out:
- It’s art-focused, not built for ads or marketing (at least not yet).
- It gives you creative control — write your own animation ideas or let the AI decide.
- You can extend the video length up to 21 seconds, which gives you room to play.
- It’s part of an existing creative ecosystem that Midjourney users already love.
Things to Keep in Mind
- You’ll need a paid plan to try it. No free videos right now.
- It only works through Discord, so there’s a learning curve if you’re new.
- You’ll use up credits quickly if you don’t have a Pro or Mega plan.
- It’s better for artists and designers than business use — at least for now.
Final Thoughts
Midjourney’s new video model is a big step for the platform — and for creative AI in general. With V1, they’re giving users a way to bring their images to life with motion and mood.
It’s not perfect, and it’s not cheap, but it’s fun. If you’re already a Midjourney fan, it’s worth exploring.
Want to try it out? Start with the $10/month plan to experiment — or go all in with the Pro plan if you plan to create often.
Quick Recap
- V1 is Midjourney’s new image-to-video tool, launched on Discord.
- Turns any image into four 5-second video clips.
- Videos can be customized and extended up to 21 seconds.
- Pricing starts at $10/month, but serious users will want Pro or Mega plans.
- Early results are artistic, not realistic — perfect for creative projects.
- It’s still new, so features and pricing may change.