How to do the AI zombie trend
The zombie hug trend in four beats, what photos you need, and how to make and post your own 15-second version.
4 min read · Updated
What the zombie trend is
The AI zombie trend is a short vertical video in four beats. The world has ended and one of you has turned. The other one has every reason to end it and can’t. There is a flicker of recognition, a hug that shouldn’t happen, and then a hard cut to a bright, happy memory of the two of you.
The cut is the whole point. The cold, grey apocalypse makes the warm memory land, which is why the trend works for couples, pets, parents, siblings and best friends alike.
What you need
- A clear photo of each of you, one person or pet per photo, face to the camera.
- A few minutes to set it up. The video then renders in the background, usually in 5 to 10 minutes.
Make it step by step
- Open the generator and choose “Two people” or “Me & my pet”. The templates for couples, dogs, cats, parents, best friends and siblings are quick starting points.
- Add two photos: the one who stays human and holds on, and the one who turns. Swap them if you want the other one to turn.
- Pick the quality, Standard 480p or HD 720p, and the format: 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, or 16:9.
- Confirm everyone in the photos has agreed, then press Generate. If you’re not signed in yet, you sign in with Google or email and password at this point.
- The video renders in the background, usually in 5 to 10 minutes. You can close the tab; it waits for you in My videos.
- Download the 15-second MP4, with sound, and post it.
Posting it
Post natively rather than as a link, so the platform treats it as a video. Keep the first frame as the cold shot: the hard cut to colour is what people stay for. Every video comes with sound. If you want the trend’s sound instead, add it in the app and turn the original sound down there.
Tag the person in it. Most of these videos are made for one viewer first.
Questions
How long does it take to make the zombie trend video?
With AI Zombie it takes a few minutes to set up, and the video usually renders in 5 to 10 minutes. Made by hand, with an image model, a video model and an editor, it usually takes an evening.
Do I need an app to do the zombie trend?
No. AI Zombie runs in the browser on a phone or a computer. You add two photos, and download a 15-second MP4 with sound to post on TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.
How much does it cost to make the zombie trend video?
On AI Zombie, an HD 720p video costs 150 credits and a Standard 480p video costs 100. The smallest pack is $6.90 for 150 credits, enough for one HD video. Packs are one-time payments, with no subscription.
