MidJourney's New AI Video Tool
First Impressions, Demos, and Comparisons
MidJourney has long been at the forefront of AI image generation, but now they’ve entered a new arena: video.
Expectations were sky-high when news dropped that MidJourney was developing a video model.
Today, we’ll explore how to use it, what it’s good at, and how it compares to some of the top AI video models in the game—like Runway, Veo, Minimax, and Kling.
Download the Free MidJourney Style Guide
Before we dive in, grab your free MidJourney style guide from CURIOUS REFUGE.
It’s packed with prompt tips, settings, and examples to improve your generations:
How to Use MidJourney Video
Using the new video tool is simple if you’re familiar with MidJourney’s image interface.
Go to the MidJourney homepage.
Click on the Explore tab. Almost every image now has a video toggle.
Head to the Imagine tab.
Here’s what you can customize:
Aspect Ratio: Landscape (16:9) is best for filmmaking.
Model Type: Use "raw" for more natural results.
Model Version: Stick with version 7 for now.
Speed: Draft is fast, Standard is slower but more refined.
Aesthetics: Adjust stylization, weirdness, variety.
Once you generate an image you like:
Click Enhance to exit draft mode.
Click Upscale for higher quality (essential for video).
After that, you can animate the image using:
Auto Mode
Low Motion
High Motion
Manual Mode
Low Motion or High Motion with your own prompt
Prompt Test: 1980s Robot Playing Basketball
Prompt: “A 1980s robot playing basketball on a cul-de-sac with human friends. 1980s film stock is Kodak Porta 800.”
The model generated multiple solid stills quickly. After enhancing and upscaling, I tested all three video generation modes. MidJourney did a surprisingly great job at background coherence and natural motion.
Highlights:
Background kids played basketball somewhat realistically.
The robot’s movement was smooth, even mimicking a shot.
High motion mode added impressive energy.
Prompt Test: Hand Movement
Prompt: “Fingers move and hands turn over to reveal the palms.”
Testing low and high motion via manual mode:
Low motion gave a smooth palm reveal, fingers stayed intact.
High motion added slight finger movement, though some shape distortion was present.
Compared to other models:
Veo 3 showed more dynamic motion and prompt adherence.
Runway was slower and less coherent.
Kling was close in fidelity to MidJourney.
Verdict: Veo wins this round, but MidJourney is close.
Prompt Test: Man Jumps Through Portal, Turns into Frog
Prompt: “Man jumps through a black portal and comes out the other side as a frog.”
MidJourney Result:
Keeps animation style and scene consistent.
Doesn’t fully nail the “backside” transformation but comes close.
Runway:
Merges character awkwardly with portal.
Loss of visual clarity.
Veo:
Interprets portal differently, turns it into a cool ground warp.
Most visually creative, but strays slightly from prompt.
Winner: MidJourney—close call, but the artistic consistency sealed it.
Prompt Test: Kids Ride Bikes with Cute Alien
Prompt: “Kids riding bikes in a suburban neighborhood with a cute pink alien. Stranger Things style.”
MidJourney Result:
Pedaling action is consistent.
Camera shifts focus naturally—adds realism.
Minimax Hilu:
Equally strong pedaling.
Great focus-pull and character movement.
Winner: Minimax Hilu 02, but very close.
Prompt Test: Girl Smells a Flower
Prompt: “Anime-style girl smells flower and puts it back.”
MidJourney:
Some odd facial movements, but follows action decently.
Runway:
More accurate to the prompt, but visual artifacts show up.
Kling:
Nails the motion and reaction with clarity.
Fewer distractions.
Winner: Kling
Cost Breakdown
Right now, MidJourney Video is web-only and priced at about 8x the cost of an image job. Each job creates four 5-second videos. That works out to about the same cost per second as a single upscaled image.
Pros:
Very affordable compared to industry standards.
Uses fast hours.
Relax mode available for Pro users.
Final Thoughts
MidJourney Video V1 is an impressive debut.
✅ World consistency is strong. Motion and character animation are solid. Interface is simple and clean.
❌ Fidelity isn't quite on par with Veo 3 or Minimax. Prompt control has room to grow.
But the fact that you can generate these kinds of videos inside the MidJourney ecosystem—and at this cost—is huge.
This feels like the beginning of a true world model. And the ability to build consistent stories inside a single visual style? That’s a game-changer.
Have you tested MidJourney Video yet? What were your results? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Until next time,
Gabe Michael
Be well, do good, and make awesome things.
About the Author
Gabe Michael is an award-winning AI filmmaker and creative technologist shaping the future of production with AI. He currently serves as VP and Executive Producer of AI at Edelman, where he consults internal and external teams, enhances production workflows and explores new creative possibilities with AI.
As an early adopter of AI technology in film, video and creative production, Gabe’s work has earned accolades for ‘Best Odyssey’ at Project Odyssey, ‘Best Character’ and ‘Best Art Direction’ at the Runway Gen:48 AI Film Competitions, leading to his entry into many creative partner programs with top AI video tools.
With extensive experience as a director and producer in the creator economy, Gabe collaborates with top film studios, brands, and digital platforms, and shares his expertise on LinkedIn, YouTube, and in classrooms at UCLA.
📍 Website: gabemichael.ai
📺 YouTube: Gabe Michael’s Channel
📷 Instagram: @gabemichael_ai
📝 Substack: The Creative Possible
💼 LinkedIn: Gabe Michael