Midjourney Launches V1: Its First AI Video Generation Model

TL;DR

• Midjourney, known for AI-generated art via Discord, has officially launched V1, its first AI video generation model.
  
• The tool transforms images into five-second video clips, using image-to-video technology.
  
• V1 enters the competitive arena with OpenAI’s Sora, Runway’s Gen-4, Adobe Firefly, and Google’s Veo 3.
  
• Videos are currently only accessible via Discord on web, with pricing set at 8x the cost of image generations.
  
• Despite lawsuits from Disney and Universal over copyright use, Midjourney is pushing toward building real-time simulation AI models in future releases.
  

V1 Takes Off: From Art to Motion

On June 18, Midjourney officially announced V1, the company’s entry into the rapidly growing field of AI video generation. The model builds on the startup’s roots in image generation and allows users to convert images into short five-second video sequences — with a maximum extension of up to 21 seconds.

Accessible exclusively via Discord, and only through the web version for now, V1 continues Midjourney’s tradition of simplicity and community-first deployment. Like its previous image models, V1 produces surreal, stylized content rather than photorealistic clips.

Competing in a Crowded Field

V1’s launch places Midjourney in direct competition with other major players like:

• OpenAI’s Sora
  
• Runway Gen-4
  
• Adobe Firefly
  
• Google Veo 3
  

But unlike many commercial-focused platforms, Midjourney CEO David Holz emphasizes the company’s creative-first mission. In his words, V1 is a stepping stone toward building “AI capable of real-time open-world simulations” — a longer-term vision beyond media production.

The Data

Features and Functionality

Midjourney’s V1 includes two animation modes:

• Automatic Mode: Adds random motion to images.
  
• Manual Mode: Allows users to type a specific animation prompt.
  

Additionally, users can control:

• Motion intensity: Choose between “low motion” and “high motion.”
  
• Clip length: Extend 5-second clips in 4-second increments, up to 21 seconds.
  

Like previous Midjourney tools, V1 generations are not hyperrealistic, but instead stylized and visually experimental — aimed more at artists and creators than ad agencies.

Legal Storm Clouds Over Creativity

V1’s debut comes at a tense moment. Just a week before the launch, Disney and Universal filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, alleging that its AI-generated images include copyrighted characters like Homer Simpson and Darth Vader. These legal challenges reflect a broader industry clash between intellectual property rights and generative AI creativity.

Despite attempts to differentiate from commercially driven tools, Midjourney remains in the crosshairs of IP-focused litigation. The V1 launch adds further complexity as moving images could be seen as more derivative and legally risky than still images.

Pricing Strategy: Premium Output for Premium Users

Midjourney’s video generation pricing reflects its resource intensity:

• Each video costs 8x more than an image generation in GPU credits.
  
• Basic Plan ($10/month): Limited usage, high burn rate on video.
  
• Pro Plan ($60/month) and Mega Plan ($120/month): Unlimited video generation in Relax mode (non-priority compute time).
  

The company said it would reassess pricing within 30 days, suggesting more flexible or scalable billing may be on the horizon.

Looking Ahead: From Videos to Virtual Worlds

CEO David Holz confirmed that V1 is not an endpoint, but a milestone. Future goals include:

• Real-time video generation
  
• 3D asset creation
  
• Simulation engines for immersive environments
  

This forward trajectory aims to expand Midjourney’s use cases beyond art and into fields like gaming, virtual reality, and digital twins.

For now, however, V1’s real value lies in giving creators a new visual tool — and in positioning Midjourney as a unique voice in a tech landscape filled with corporate video tools.