Netflix claims it has employed AI in more than 300 titles, and there's no turning back now.

      AI in Hollywood is no longer merely an experiment.

      The debate in Hollywood regarding the role of AI in film and television production has likely been surpassed by reality. Netflix has revealed that its creative collaborators utilized generative AI workflows for approximately 300 titles in 2026, with a significant portion of this activity occurring during post-production.

      It's important to note that this figure refers to AI-assisted production processes rather than 300 entirely machine-generated films and shows. Nevertheless, it illustrates how swiftly the technology has advanced beyond mere experimental stages.

      Netflix is employing AI to overcome production barriers.

      The streaming giant spotlighted three specific productions: the Indian title Glory, Brazil’s Brasil 70: A Saga do Tri, and the American documentary series The American Experiment. In these projects, generative AI was utilized to create or enhance crowds, historical battles, and assist in establishing shots to form larger fictional and historical environments.

      Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos mentioned that The American Experiment features 17 minutes of AI-enhanced footage. These segments were reportedly created twice as swiftly and at half the cost compared to earlier methods. Without the use of AI tools, some scenes would have had to be entirely omitted due to budget and scheduling constraints of traditional production techniques.

      Additionally, the speed at which AI adoption has escalated is noteworthy. In 2025, Netflix publicly acknowledged a building-collapse sequence in The Eternaut as its first generative AI footage included in a final production. According to Sarandos, Eyeline Studios completed that effect around ten times faster than traditional visual effects methods. Just a year later, AI workflows are now being integrated into numerous titles.

      The discussion has shifted from whether Hollywood will adopt AI to how it will be controlled.

      Netflix reports that the technology now aids in concept development, pre-visualization, and much more. The company runs Eyeline, an animation lab, and has recently acquired InterPositive, an AI firm focused on filmmaking co-founded by Ben Affleck. Sarandos anticipates that savings from these workflows will be reinvested into further programming.

      Netflix has also set parameters for its production partners. Intended uses of AI must be disclosed to Netflix, and final footage, likenesses of talent, personal data, and third-party intellectual property may require written consent. The guidelines prohibit generating or replacing performances and work protected by unions without consent and appropriate agreements.

      Thus, it can be stated that generative AI has already become a part of mainstream film and television production. Hollywood's next challenge will involve determining who controls the technology, who profits from the savings, and who may lose their work in the process.