Artificial intelligence has revolutionized image generation, offering powerful tools for filmmakers, artists, and designers. But how do the top AI models stack up when it comes to generating cinematic stills? We put four leading models—Midjourney, Image FX by Google, Flux 1.1, and Frames by Runway—head-to-head with five identical prompts across different cinematic genres. Let’s dive into the results!
The Experiment: 5 Cinematic Prompts
We tested each model using the same five detailed prompts, all designed to challenge their ability to render cinematic realism, mood, and lighting. Each image was judged based on composition, realism, and adherence to the given description.
Prompt 1: Film Noir Detective
"A cinematic still of a rugged detective in a dimly lit alley, gripping a cigarette as neon lights reflect off the rain-soaked pavement. Medium shot, moody film noir lighting, shot on an Arri Alexa, 8K."
Midjourney: Captured a beautifully stylized noir aesthetic with deep shadows and glowing neon highlights. The detective's facial expression and attire were highly detailed.
Image FX: Achieved an impressive realism, with meticulous reflections and lifelike smoke from the cigarette.
Frames by Runway: Produced a good noir feel but required more refinements to get the exact filmic texture.
Flux 1.1: The composition was decent, but it lacked the deep contrast and moody lighting expected in noir cinematography.
Prompt 2: 19th-Century Aristocratic Woman
"A cinematic still of a 19th-century aristocratic woman in an ornate ballroom, gazing out of a rain-streaked window as candlelight flickers behind her. Medium shot, soft golden lighting, rich filmic texture, shot on an Arri Alexa 65, 8K."
Midjourney: Created a stunning, painterly image with excellent period-accurate attire and atmosphere.
Image FX: Excelled in realism, with intricate fabric details and lifelike reflections on the windowpane.
Frames by Runway: Delivered a well-lit ballroom but lacked the fine details in the subject’s expression.
Flux 1.1: The composition felt modernized rather than truly historical, losing some authenticity.
Prompt 3: War Cinematography
"A cinematic still of a battle-worn soldier crouching in a muddy trench, gripping his rifle as explosions illuminate the night sky. Close-up shot, gritty desaturated tones, naturalistic war cinematography, shot on IMAX 70mm."
Midjourney: Captured an intense, dramatic shot with excellent use of desaturation and lighting.
Image FX: Delivered lifelike textures, mud splatter, and war-torn realism that looked straight out of a war film.
Frames by Runway: The composition was decent but struggled with realistic facial expressions.
Flux 1.1: Produced a clean image but lacked the grittiness needed for a realistic war aesthetic.
Prompt 4: Western Gunslinger
"A cinematic still of a lone gunslinger standing in the middle of a dusty frontier town, the sun casting long shadows as he reaches for his revolver. Wide shot, warm golden hour lighting, vintage anamorphic lens look, shot on Kodak 35mm film."
Midjourney: Delivered a highly stylized, rich Western look with deep contrast and grain texture.
Image FX: Excelled in naturalistic lighting, making the scene feel truly authentic.
Frames by Runway: The town and lighting were well-executed, but the gunslinger himself felt slightly artificial.
Flux 1.1: Struggled with the vintage look, producing something that felt more like a modern video game render.
Prompt 5: Fantasy Warrior Queen
"A cinematic still of a fearless warrior queen, the ruins of a once-great kingdom stretching behind her. Close-up shot, dramatic overcast lighting, rich fantasy color grading, shot on an Arri Alexa 65, 8K."
Midjourney: Delivered an epic, stylized composition with striking colors and an imposing warrior presence.
Image FX: Generated an incredibly realistic queen with flowing fabric and detailed ruins.
Frames by Runway: Needed more refinement to match the dramatic lighting of the prompt.
Flux 1.1: The character lacked depth and detail, making it the weakest interpretation of this prompt.
Final Verdict
After extensive testing, here’s our ranking:
Midjourney - Best for stylized, artistic cinematic shots. It excels in unique aesthetics and composition.
Image FX - A hidden gem! It delivers incredibly realistic, movie-quality renders with precise prompt accuracy.
Frames by Runway - Good realism, but required extra iterations to fully match the desired cinematic look.
Flux 1.1 - Performed well but lacked the refined cinematic feel of the other three models.
For artists and filmmakers seeking realism, Image FX is an underappreciated powerhouse, while Midjourney remains the go-to for stylized shots. If you’re working on AI-generated film concepts, these two should be your top choices. Frames by Runway is a solid middle ground, and Flux 1.1 is best suited for non-cinematic applications.
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