What is Midjourney video and how to generate it

Midjourney has introduced its first video-generation model, known as Video V1, bringing life to static images through short animated clips. It’s a simple yet powerful tool: upload or select an image, choose motion settings, and within seconds you’ll have a dynamic 5‑second video—extendable up to 21 seconds. This feature is available on the Midjourney Web UI and opens a new door for creators who want to add motion to their visuals without needing traditional animation tools or experience.

How Midjourney video works and why it matters

Midjourney Video lets you animate a still image into a short MP4 clip using smooth camera-like movements such as zooming, panning, or rotating. The result is a motion-rich visual that adds depth and atmosphere without altering the original image. It’s designed to be simple, fast, and accessible—even for users with no animation experience.

You start with a single image—either generated in Midjourney or uploaded yourself—and generate a short video by clicking the “Animate” button. No prompt is required, although there is an option to add a text prompt to guide motion if desired.

Key features of Midjourney Video

• Default length: The standard video is 5 seconds long.
• Extendable clips: After the first render, you can extend the video up to four times, reaching a maximum of about 21 seconds.
• Motion settings: You can choose between different motion styles:
  • Low (default): subtle camera movement
  • High: more dynamic movement
  • Raw: minimal stylization
• Two animation modes:
  • Auto mode: Midjourney applies its own motion style automatically.
  • Manual mode: You can provide a motion-related prompt to influence the animation.
• Output format: Videos are delivered as MP4 files and can also be downloaded as GIFs.
• GPU usage: Video generation uses more GPU time than images—approximately 8 times more per clip.
• Access: All subscription levels support video generation. Users on higher-tier plans can also use Relaxed mode to generate videos without extra GPU cost.

How it differs from image generation

• Start with an image: Unlike image generation, where you begin with a prompt, video generation starts with a finished image.
• Focus on motion, not new content: The goal is to animate the existing visual—not to create new variations.
• Different file type: Output is a silent video, not a static image.
• Longer generation time: Videos take slightly more time to render due to added motion processing.

Limitations to keep in mind

• No manual timeline or keyframes: You cannot manually control or edit motion paths.
• Short video length: The maximum video length is 21 seconds, even with extensions.
• No sound or overlays: The videos do not include audio or text. Any additional edits must be done in external tools.

When to use it

Midjourney Video is ideal for:

• Adding subtle motion to artwork, designs, or product shots
• Creating animated visuals for social media
• Enhancing digital portfolios with short motion clips
• Building animated mood boards or previews
  

This feature is designed for simplicity—giving you a quick way to turn a static image into a visually dynamic animation. Whether you're showcasing creative work or experimenting with visual ideas, Midjourney Video makes it easy to bring your images to life.

Starting your first video: Simple steps using the Animate button

Midjourney’s video generation process is built into the Web UI. To get started, use an image you’ve already generated in Midjourney or upload your own.

To animate an image from your gallery:

1. Hover over the image and right click.
2. Select Animate from the menu.
3. You’ll see four motion options:

• Auto: Low Motion – Midjourney automatically applies gentle camera movement.
• Auto: High Motion – Midjourney applies stronger and more dynamic camera movement.
• Manual: Low Motion – You can enter a motion prompt and apply subtle animation.
• Manual: High Motion – You can enter a motion prompt and apply more intense movement.

To animate an uploaded image:

1. Click the image icon in the prompt bar and upload your image.
2. Once your image appears, hit the enter key to generate a video at auto mode or type a prompt to manually give motion instructions.

Downloading your video

Once your video finishes rendering (you can hover to play it on the Create (formerly “Gallery”) page), you can save it in a few different formats directly from the site:

1. Locate the video on your Create page or the organized gallery view.
2. Right‑click on the video thumbnail to reveal download options:

• Download for Social — A compressed MP4 optimized for sharing on platforms, retaining clarity while reducing file size.
• Download Raw Video — The original, full-quality MP4 version directly from Midjourney.
• Download GIF — A looping animated GIF, suitable for embedding or quick previews.

3. The file will save to your browser’s default download folder.

These three formats give you flexibility depending on your purpose—keeping the original file for editing, choosing a social-friendly version for posting, or using GIFs for lightweight previews.

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Midjourney Video brings simplicity and elegance to motion design. With no prompt required and just a single image, you can generate short, cinematic animations in seconds. It’s not a full animation suite—and that’s exactly the point. It’s designed for quick, beautiful motion without friction.