A 100% AI movie in cinemas in 2026
Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to invisible algorithms: it's becoming a creative tool in its own right, capable of producing entire films. After transforming AI fashion ande-commerce with AI virtual mannequinsvirtual mannequins, AI is now taking the audiovisual industry to a new level. This article, for theArtcare website, a major player in virtual mannequins and thestudio agency R&D IA, analyzes this phenomenon and its impact on narrative, aesthetics and business models - issues that resonate directly with those of fashion and luxury.
Critterz: a major studio's first AI feature film
Critterz, an animated film produced by Vertigo Films using OpenAI tools, will hit cinemas in 2026. The studio aims to demonstrate that generative AI can produce a feature film faster and more cheaply than Hollywood: nine months of production instead of three years for a conventional animated film, and an estimated budget of 25 million euros versus 170 million for Vice-Versa 2 (Franceinfo).
The script has been entrusted to the Paddington team in Peru, but the images are entirely generated from artworks introduced in ChatGPT-5 and other models. Voice casting is underway. A preview of this technological showcase has been announced for the Cannes Film Festival.
Precedents already in evidence
Critterz is part of a movement that began in 2023. Anna Apter's short film Imagine, directed alone with Midjourney, won the Critics' Prize and the Director's Prize at the Nikon Film Festival (Numérama). In 2024, Maharaja in Denims was produced almost entirely by AI in India - images, sets, dialogues, music - with a style typical of AI: saturated colors, blurred backgrounds, imperfect details.
Also in 2024, Where the Robots Grow, a feature-length animated film produced by Tom Paton's AiMation Studios, cost just $8,000 a minute (Forbes) for 87 minutes. These unprecedented figures illustrate the cost- and time-saving potential of generative AI.
Opportunities and limits of AI in cinema
These productions arouse both fascination and criticism. The Wall Street Journal describes Critterz as a strategic showcase, but Numérama notes that Maharaja in Denims provokes a certain unease: poorly synchronized lips, moving backgrounds. Forbes praises Where the Robots Grow's prowess, but points out the characters' lack of fluidity.
Questions of authenticity and intellectual property arise: who is the author of an AI-generated scene? How can we protect the rights of the artists whose works feed the models? These issues are reminiscent of those already raised in AI fashion and the use of AI virtual mannequins is a powerful tool, but it must be accompanied by an ethical and creative framework.
From animation to virtual mannequins: the same paradigm
Critterz's appeal lies in AI's ability to transform data into coherent visual narratives, at scale and cost. This is exactly whatArtcare applies to fashion: its AI virtual mannequins and virtual try it on solutions enable the creation of interactive campaigns and personalized avatars that tell a story and adapt to customer expectations in real time.
In AI e-commerce fashion, this approach translates into virtual shoots, immersive catwalks and personalized experiences. As with generative animation, the aim is not to replace humans, but to extend the creative field, speed up production and reduce the carbon footprint.
Strategic benefits for brands
By integrating AI right from the design stage, whether for a film or a fashion campaign, brands can :
Accelerate time-to-market: nine months for a film, a few days for a complete catalog.
Large-scale personalization: avatars or characters tailored to audience tastes and cultures.
Reduce logistics costs: fewer trips, fewer sets, fewer touch-ups.
Reinforce their innovative image: technological and sustainable positioning, attractive to younger generations.
These benefits are at the heart of Artcare's mission: to combine aesthetics, performance and responsibility.
Conclusion
With Critterz, AI has reached a symbolic milestone: it no longer simply generates images, but orchestrates the entire production process. The same technologies that are reshaping cinema can transform the customer experience in fashion and luxury goods.
Like Vertigo Films, brands can leverage AI to produce faster and better, while boosting their creativity. The AI virtual mannequinsvirtual mannequins, virtual try it on solutions andAI R&D studio agency services are designed to support this transition.
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