Table of Contents
Overview
Midjourney has officially entered the AI video generation space with the launch of its V1 Video Model in June 2025. This groundbreaking image-to-video tool transforms static images into animated clips, marking a pivotal expansion for the company known primarily for its exceptional AI image generation capabilities. Priced at just \$10 per month through Midjourney’s Basic plan, the V1 Video Model offers an accessible entry point into AI-powered video creation, positioning itself as significantly more affordable than competing solutions. This innovative tool seamlessly integrates with Midjourney’s existing image generation workflow, allowing users to breathe life into their static creations with just a few clicks.
Key Features
The V1 Video Model introduces several compelling capabilities designed to make video creation accessible and intuitive:
- Image-to-Video Animation: Transform any Midjourney-generated image or uploaded photograph into a dynamic 5-second video clip using advanced AI algorithms that intelligently interpret motion possibilities.
- Dual Animation Modes: Choose between “automatic” mode for quick results with AI-generated motion prompts, or “manual” mode for precise control over how scenes develop and objects move.
- Flexible Motion Settings: Select “low motion” for subtle, ambient movements with minimal camera motion, or “high motion” for dynamic scenes with significant subject and camera movement.
- Video Extension Capabilities: Extend initial 5-second clips by approximately 4 seconds at a time, up to four extensions, creating videos with a maximum duration of 21 seconds.
- External Image Support: Upload and animate images created outside of Midjourney by marking them as “start frames” and providing motion prompts.
- Raw Mode Control: Apply the “–raw” parameter for more precise motion control, reducing Midjourney’s typical creative enhancements for greater prompt adherence.
- Standard Definition Output: Generate videos in 480p resolution at 24 frames per second, optimized for social media sharing and web distribution.
- Multiple Clip Generation: Each animation job produces four distinct 5-second video variations, providing creative options and alternatives.
How It Works
The V1 Video Model follows a streamlined workflow that builds upon Midjourney’s established image generation process. Users begin by creating an image through Midjourney’s standard text-to-image system or by uploading an existing photograph to the platform. Once an image is selected, users can click the “Animate” button that appears in the interface.
The system offers two primary animation approaches: automatic mode generates motion prompts automatically and applies general movement to make scenes come alive, while manual mode allows users to write specific text descriptions detailing exactly how they want elements to move and develop. Users can also specify motion intensity through low and high motion settings, with low motion producing more controlled, ambient animations and high motion creating more dramatic camera and subject movements.
After initiating the animation process, Midjourney’s AI processes the image and motion parameters, typically taking several minutes to generate four distinct 5-second video clips. Users can then select their preferred result and optionally extend the duration by adding 4-second segments, with the ability to repeat this extension process up to four times for a maximum video length of 21 seconds.
Use Cases
The V1 Video Model opens up diverse creative and professional applications across multiple industries and user types:
- Social Media Content Creation: Generate engaging animated posts for Instagram Stories, TikTok videos, and Twitter content that stand out in crowded feeds with eye-catching motion.
- Marketing and Advertising: Create unique promotional clips for brands, product demonstrations, and marketing campaigns without requiring extensive video production resources.
- Concept Art Presentation: Bring static concept designs to life for more engaging client presentations, design reviews, and creative portfolio showcases.
- Educational Content: Develop animated visual aids for teaching materials, online courses, and educational presentations that enhance learning engagement.
- Product Visualization: Transform static product images into dynamic showcases that highlight features, demonstrate usage, or show products from multiple angles.
- Creative Storytelling: Develop short animated narratives and artistic expressions that add temporal dimension to visual stories.
- Prototype and Mockup Animation: Animate interface designs, architectural visualizations, and concept mockups for more compelling presentations.
Pros \& Cons
Advantages
- Exceptional Value Proposition: At \$10 per month, Midjourney offers video generation at approximately 25 times less cost than many competitors, making AI video creation accessible to individual creators and small businesses.
- Seamless Integration: The tool works directly within Midjourney’s existing ecosystem, requiring minimal learning curve for current users and maintaining workflow consistency.
- User-Friendly Interface: Simple web-based operation with intuitive controls makes video creation accessible even for users without technical video editing experience.
- Multiple Output Options: Each generation produces four different video variations, providing creative choices and alternatives without additional cost.
- Flexible Duration Control: The ability to extend videos in 4-second increments allows for customized timing based on specific needs and platforms.
Disadvantages
- Limited Resolution: 480p output quality may not meet requirements for high-definition applications or professional video production needs.
- Short Duration Constraints: Maximum 21-second video length limits storytelling possibilities and may require external editing for longer content.
- Basic Motion Control: While manual prompts provide some control, the system lacks advanced animation features like keyframe editing or sophisticated motion curves.
- No Audio Integration: Videos are generated without sound, requiring users to add audio tracks through external editing software.
- Platform Limitations: Currently available only through the web interface, with no mobile app support or API access for integration into other workflows.
How Does It Compare?
Midjourney’s V1 Video Model enters a competitive landscape with several established and emerging players, each offering distinct advantages:
Runway Gen-4 Turbo provides more sophisticated video generation capabilities with higher resolution outputs and longer duration options. However, Runway’s pricing starts at \$12 per month for basic access, making it more expensive than Midjourney’s offering. Runway also offers more advanced editing features but requires greater technical knowledge to achieve optimal results.
OpenAI’s Sora delivers impressive cinematic quality and longer video durations with more sophisticated motion understanding. However, Sora is only available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers at \$20 per month and ChatGPT Pro users at \$200 per month, making it significantly more expensive. Sora also focuses more on text-to-video generation rather than Midjourney’s image-to-video approach.
Google’s Veo 3 offers high-quality video generation with advanced camera controls and longer durations. However, Veo 3 is priced at \$249 per month, making it primarily suitable for professional and enterprise users rather than individual creators.
Pika Labs provides strong text-to-video capabilities with features like camera movement controls, in-painting, and various aspect ratios. While Pika offers more advanced editing tools, it typically requires higher subscription tiers for full functionality and may have steeper learning curves.
Kaiber specializes in music video creation and artistic style transfers with strong audio-reactive features. While Kaiber excels in musical and abstract content, it offers less control over realistic scene animation compared to Midjourney’s approach.
Midjourney’s key differentiator lies in its accessibility, affordability, and seamless integration with its proven image generation platform, making it particularly attractive for creators who prioritize ease of use and cost-effectiveness over advanced features.
Technical Specifications and Availability
The V1 Video Model is currently available exclusively through Midjourney’s web platform, requiring an active subscription starting at \$10 per month for the Basic plan. Each video generation job consumes approximately 8 times more computational resources than a standard image generation, resulting in faster depletion of monthly generation allowances.
Videos are produced in 480p resolution at 24 frames per second, with each job generating four unique 5-second clips. Pro plan subscribers (\$60/month) and Mega plan subscribers (\$120/month) have access to unlimited video generation through the platform’s “Relax” mode, which processes requests with longer wait times but no generation limits.
Midjourney has indicated that pricing and features may be adjusted based on usage patterns and server capacity over the coming months as the service scales to accommodate user demand.
Final Thoughts
Midjourney’s V1 Video Model represents a significant step forward in democratizing AI video creation, making animated content generation accessible to a broader audience through competitive pricing and user-friendly design. While the tool has limitations in resolution, duration, and advanced features compared to premium competitors, its integration with Midjourney’s established image generation ecosystem and exceptional value proposition make it an attractive option for creators, marketers, and small businesses.
The V1 Video Model serves as a foundation for Midjourney’s broader vision of creating “real-time open-world simulations,” suggesting that current limitations may be addressed in future iterations. For users seeking an affordable, accessible entry point into AI video generation with seamless integration into an established creative workflow, Midjourney’s V1 Video Model offers compelling value despite its current constraints.
As the AI video generation market continues to evolve rapidly, Midjourney’s approach of prioritizing accessibility and ease of use positions it well to capture users who may find other solutions too complex or expensive, potentially establishing a strong foothold in the growing creator economy.
https://www.midjourney.com/updates/introducing-our-v1-video-model