Netflix Uses Generative AI to Transform Visual Effects in Original Series The Eternauts

Netflix has used generative artificial intelligence to create visual effects in one of its original TV shows for the first time, as part of a wider strategy to reduce production costs and accelerate timelines.

Netflix Takes a Leap into AI‑Powered Visuals

Netflix hasn’t just dropped a new sci‑fi show; it dropped a whole bunch of high‑tech magic into the mix. The latest hit, The Eternauts, set in buzzing Buenos Aires, features a jaw‑dropping building collapse that the streaming giant claims is the first scene to get its visual effects from pure generative AI.

Why AI? The VFX Speed‑up

Co‑CEO Ted Sarandos told the world that letting AI create the scene made the production run ten times faster than the old‑school VFX route. “The cost just wouldn’t have worked for a show on that budget,” he said. “Seeing the first AI‑finished footage on a Netflix original? It’s a thrill for the whole crew.”

Money Talk

• Netflix’s quarterly revenue surged 16% year‑on‑year, hitting $11 billion.
• Profit jumped from $2.1 billion to $3.1 billion, thanks largely to the smashing Squid Game finale drawing over 122 million views.

Championing Creativity, Not Replacing It

While the new tech drew applause for being both inventive and budget‑friendly, it also reignited a bigger conversation. Critics say AI often borrows from existing art—without asking the creators. They worry automation might sideline human artists and tech geniuses alike.

That fear was front‑and‑center during the 2023 Hollywood strikes. The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG‑AFTRA) pushed for tighter AI rules.

Netflix’s Spin: Democratizing Visual Magic

“It’s about empowering stories that otherwise wouldn’t get made,” Sarandos added. “We’re not throwing out creativity; we’re giving it a turbo boost.” The idea is to make cutting‑edge VFX accessible even to smaller, international productions.

What’s Next?

With studios pushed to roll out blockbuster content at scale, AI might become a staple for mid‑tier series. It raises questions not just about if AI will shape entertainment, but how far, how fast, and on whose terms.

Bottom Line

Netflix’s first AI‑generated finale isn’t just a tech badge; it’s a bold stride toward a future where stories are limited less by budget, and more by imagination—if you’re ready to let AI help you paint that imagination.