Animate images with Runway ML

Runway Try it →Watch full video →Malva AI · May 2026

Demo summary

The user demonstrates generating a horizontal image and then using Runway Gen-2 (referred to as video 1.5) with motion prompts and the prompt enhancer to animate it.

Step-by-step

Select an image format (horizontal or vertical) that matches your intended final video output
Generate and download the best base image using the image model
Navigate to Runway Gen-2 (video 1.5)
Set the resolution to 720p for the initial test
Upload your base image
Add a motion prompt
Enable the prompt enhancer to expand basic instructions
Generate the video clip

Options

Use the prompt enhancer to automatically expand simple ideas into detailed camera and movement directions

Watch out for

The image format must match the final video format to avoid messy crops and awkward compositions

Tips

Think of the image generation stage as choosing the shot before the camera moves
Use 720p for your first test generation

All demos from “The New BEST 3 FREE AI Video Generators You NEED in 2026”

0:570:22Generate vertical video with TikTok SymphonyThe user demonstrates how to use the 1.5 Pro model in TikTok Symphony to generate vertical video clips from text prompts.SSymphony Creative Studio· AI Tiktok Video Generator
1:260:19Image-to-video workflow in TikTok SymphonyThe creator shows how to generate a base image, edit specific details, and then convert that approved image into a video clip within TikTok Symphony.SSymphony Creative Studio· Image to Video
1:540:34Create talking avatars in TikTok SymphonyThe demo shows selecting a presenter, writing a script, and adjusting voice settings to generate a talking AI avatar clip.SSymphony Creative Studio· AI Avatar Video Generator
3:230:40Animate images with Runway MLCurrentThe user demonstrates generating a horizontal image and then using Runway Gen-2 (referred to as video 1.5) with motion prompts and the prompt enhancer to animate it.Runway· Image to Video
5:040:26Cinematic video generation with HiggsfieldThe demo shows generating an image using GPT Image 2 and then using the 'animate' feature to create a cinematic clip with SeaArt 2.0.Higgsfield· Image to Video
6:150:30Generate video with Google Vids and Veo 3.1The user demonstrates using the Veo 3.1 model within Google Vids to generate high-quality video clips and arrange them on a timeline.Gemini· AI Video Generator
Watch “The New BEST 3 FREE AI Video Generators You NEED in 2026” →

Image to Video

3:110:56Animate a real-world object in a new environment with Runway Gen-4The user takes a photo of a physical wooden toy and uses Runway Gen-4 to composite it into a photo of New York City, then applies motion to animate people walking in front of the toy.Runway
0:140:19Animate images with Gen-3 Alpha Image to VideoThe video demonstrates uploading an image to the Runway dashboard and using Gen-3 Alpha to generate a video without additional prompt guidance.Runway
2:482:06Video generation with Gen-4 TurboThe video shows the process of generating a 5-second cinematic video of a running horse using an image reference and a detailed text prompt in Runway's Gen-4 Turbo model.Skills Factory
7:320:59Portrait video generation with Gen-3 Alpha TurboThe user demonstrates uploading a portrait image and using a text prompt to generate a 10-second vertical video using the Gen-3 Alpha Turbo model.Skills Factory
3:230:40Animate images with Runway MLCurrentThe user demonstrates generating a horizontal image and then using Runway Gen-2 (referred to as video 1.5) with motion prompts and the prompt enhancer to animate it.Malva AI
1:131:20Animate images with Runway Gen-3 Alpha TurboThe creator demonstrates how to upload an image of a man running, select the Gen-3 Alpha Turbo model (misidentified as 4.5), set aspect ratios, and configure generation length up to 10 seconds.Curious Refuge
2:190:53Create dynamic zoom-in videos from character stillsThe demo shows how to use video keyframe nodes in Runway to transition between a wide shot and a close-up image to create a seamless expressive video.Runway
25:191:31Generating 1080p AI video in RunwayThe host demonstrates selecting the 1080p resolution setting in Runway's credit mode to generate high-definition video from a Midjourney reference image.Curious Refuge
3:550:22Create transition frames with RunwayThe user shows how to upload a generated frame to Runway's image model and use a prompt to create a specific transition shot of a hand holding a glass.Laodis at Argil
0:590:27Convert image to video with Runway Gen-3 AlphaThe video shows the process of uploading a static image and providing an optional text prompt to animate it using Runway's image-to-video tool.AI Tech Pro
4:250:36Animate a still image using Runway MLThe user uploads a generated image to Runway ML and uses a text prompt to add motion, making the character smile and move her head.How to Make Money with Aiukli