Netflix Uses AI to Create Visual Effects in Original Series for the First Time
Netflix has used generative AI to produce visual effects in its new Argentinian sci-fi series The Eternaut, marking the first time the technology has made it onto screen in a Netflix original. According to co-CEO Ted Sarandos, the AI-powered sequence showed a building collapsing in Buenos Aires, something that would’ve taken much longer and cost far more to achieve using traditional VFX methods. “That VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with traditional VFX tools and workflows,” he said.
The scene was created in collaboration with Eyeline Studios, Netflix’s in-house innovation team. Sarandos explained that using AI allowed the show to stay within budget while still delivering big-screen visuals. “The cost of it just wouldn’t have been feasible for a show in that budget,” he said, calling AI “an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper.”
The move comes amid growing debate in Hollywood over AI, especially following last year’s strikes by actors and writers demanding protections against its use. Sarandos emphasized that AI tools are meant to support creators, not replace them: “This is real people doing real work with better tools.” Netflix also hinted at expanding AI into areas like advertising and content search, saying the tech could help users discover content with voice prompts like, “I want to watch a film from the '80s that's a dark psychological thriller.”
