Midjourney does not create videos yet

Midjourney is an image generation tool. It produces still images from text descriptions, not video. If you arrived here looking to make a video, you are in the wrong place — but the confusion is common, because Midjourney announced video features in development and because other AI tools (like Runway, Pika, or OpenAI's Sora) do create short videos from text or images.

What Midjourney can do is generate a series of still images that you can then combine into a video using separate video editing software. This takes more steps than using a dedicated video tool, but it works if you already have a Midjourney subscription and want to build a video from AI-generated frames.

Before you spend time on this approach, check whether a video-first tool would save you work. Runway and Pika both let you describe a scene and get a short video back in one step. Midjourney requires you to generate multiple images, read them, import them into editing software, and arrange them into a sequence. The choice depends on what you are making and how much control you want over each frame.

Key Takeaways

  • Midjourney creates still images only; you cannot generate video directly from the tool.
  • You can make a video by generating multiple images in Midjourney, then importing them into video editing software like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or CapCut.
  • To create the illusion of motion, generate images that show progression — a character moving across a scene, an object changing, or a camera angle shifting slightly between frames.
  • Dedicated video AI tools like Runway or Pika create videos in fewer steps and may be faster if video is your main goal.
  • You will need video editing software on your computer or a free online editor to combine images into a video file.

Generate a series of images that show progression

The core technique is to create images that look like consecutive frames of a video. Instead of asking Midjourney for one static image, you describe a sequence of moments and generate each one separately.

For example, instead of asking for "a person standing in a field," you would generate: "a person standing in a field, frame 1 of 4," then "a person walking left across a field, frame 2 of 4," then "a person walking left across a field, frame 3 of 4," and so on. Each image should be slightly different from the last — a small change in position, expression, or environment.

The more frames you generate, the smoother the motion will appear when you combine them into video. Four to eight frames usually creates a noticeable effect. Twelve or more frames creates smoother motion, but takes longer to generate and requires more work in editing software.

Use consistent prompts across all frames so the background, lighting, and character appearance stay the same. Change only the specific detail that moves — the position of a hand, the tilt of a head, the location of an object. Inconsistency between frames will make the video look jumpy or wrong.

Use the same seed to keep characters and backgrounds consistent

Midjourney's seed is a number that controls the randomness in image generation. If you use the same seed for multiple images, Midjourney will generate variations on the same base image rather than completely different images each time.

To set a seed, add --seed [number] to the end of your prompt. You can use any number. For example: "a person standing in a field, frame 1 of 4 --seed 12345". Then use the same seed for frames 2, 3, and 4, changing only the description of the action or position.

Without a seed, each image will have a different background, different lighting, and possibly a different-looking character. This makes the video look disjointed. Using the same seed keeps the setting stable while you change the action.

You can also use the --niji or --v 6 flags to specify which Midjourney model you want, which affects the style and consistency of the output. Stick with one model across all frames in a sequence.

read all the images and import them into video editing software

Once you have generated all your frames, right-click each image in Midjourney and select "Save image" or use the read button. Save them to a folder on your computer with a clear naming system — frame-1, frame-2, frame-3, and so on — so you can arrange them in order.

Open a video editing program. Free options include DaVinci Resolve (Windows, Mac, Linux), CapCut (Windows, Mac, mobile), or OpenShot (Windows, Mac, Linux). Paid options include Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro, but you do not need them for this task.

Create a new project and import your images as a sequence. In most editors, you drag the folder of images into the timeline, and the software automatically arranges them in order. Set the duration of each frame — usually 0.1 to 0.5 seconds per frame works well. Shorter durations create faster motion; longer durations create slower, more deliberate motion.

Once the images are arranged, you can add music, text, transitions, or effects. Export the final video as an MP4 file, which works on most platforms.

Adjust frame duration and add transitions for smoother motion

The speed at which frames appear controls how the motion feels. If each frame appears for only 0.1 seconds, the video will play very fast. If each frame appears for 0.5 seconds, the motion will be slow and deliberate.

Start with 0.2 seconds per frame and watch the result. If the motion feels too fast, increase it to 0.3 or 0.4. If it feels too slow, decrease it to 0.15. You can adjust individual frames if some parts of the motion need to be faster or slower than others.

Transitions between frames can also smooth the effect. A straightforward cross-fade (where one frame fades into the next over a fraction of a second) makes the motion feel less jerky than a hard cut. Most video editors have a transitions panel where you can drag a fade effect between clips.

If your images have inconsistencies — a character that shifts position unexpectedly or a background that changes — you can sometimes hide this with a quick transition or a slight zoom effect. But the best fix is to regenerate the problematic frame with a clearer prompt.

When to use Midjourney video versus dedicated video tools

Use Midjourney for video if you want fine control over every frame and you already have a Midjourney subscription. This approach works well for short clips (5 to 15 seconds), stylized or artistic videos, or when you want the exact look of a specific Midjourney style.

Use a dedicated video tool like Runway or Pika if you want to generate video in fewer steps. These tools take a text description and output a video directly, without requiring you to generate individual frames and assemble them. They are faster for straightforward requests and require no video editing software.

The trade-off is control. Midjourney gives you frame-by-frame control but requires more work. Runway and Pika are faster but give you less say in how each moment looks. Choose based on whether you value speed or precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Midjourney's upscale feature to make videos?

No. The upscale feature makes a single image larger and more detailed, but it does not create motion or video. You still need to generate multiple separate images and combine them in editing software.

What if my generated images look too different from each other?

Use the same seed across all frames and keep your prompts as similar as possible, changing only the action or position. If images still look inconsistent, regenerate the problematic frame with a more detailed description of what should stay the same (the background, the character's appearance, the lighting).

How many frames do I need for smooth motion?

Four to six frames creates a noticeable effect. Eight to twelve frames creates smoother motion. More frames take longer to generate but look more polished. Start with six and adjust based on how the result looks.

Can I add sound or music to the video after I create it?

Yes. Once you have exported your video file, you can import it into any video editor and add audio, text, or effects. Most free editors let you add music from a library or upload your own audio file.

Is there a faster way to do this?

If speed is your priority, use Runway, Pika, or another dedicated video AI tool instead. They generate video directly from text in one step. Midjourney's approach requires more manual work but gives you more control over the final result.