News Hollywood Studios Profit from Fake AI Movie Trailers Flooding YouTube

Major Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony, and Paramount, are reportedly profiting from fake AI-generated movie trailers on YouTube. According to an investigation by Deadline, these companies are filing claims to redirect ad revenue from such videos to their accounts.

Redirecting Ad Revenue from Fake Trailers​

Journalists reviewed internal correspondence indicating that Warner Bros. Discovery demanded ad revenue from fake trailers for Superman and House of the Dragon on the Screen Culture YouTube channel. Similarly, Sony Pictures filed claims for AI-generated trailers of Spider-Man and Kraven the Hunter, while Paramount targeted a fake trailer for Gladiator 2.

When contacted by Deadline, the studios declined to comment on the situation.


Fake Superman Trailer (313K Views)

How Much Do Fake Trailers Earn?​

Large YouTube channels like Screen Culture use AI to mass-produce fake trailers, some of which garner millions of views and generate significant ad revenue. Deadline estimates that the top YouTube channels creating these fake trailers earn millions of dollars annually.

The report features an interview with Nikhil P. Chaudhary, the 27-year-old creator of Screen Culture, based in India. Chaudhary began his YouTube career in 2018 after noticing the popularity of "concept trailers." Believing he could make higher-quality videos, he started experimenting with trailer production.

Initially, he relied on traditional editing techniques, but with the rise of AI tools, he integrated them into his work. Chaudhary specializes in trailers for upcoming films, blending official footage with AI-generated images that tease exciting details to capture fan interest.

"Our goal was to create videos that were as close to an official trailer as a concept trailer could be."
— Nikhil P. Chaudhary, Creator of Screen Culture

As his channel grew, Chaudhary expanded his team to 12 editors, who now release up to 12 new videos weekly.


Fake Trailer for Season 3 of The Squid Game (12 Million Views)

YouTube Algorithms Boost Fake Trailers​

YouTube’s recommendation system helps AI-generated trailers reach massive audiences. In February 2025, two fake Screen Culture trailers ranked higher than the official trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps by Marvel. Speed is key—uploading videos before competitors allows creators to dominate search results.



To produce his videos, Chaudhary employs at least six different AI tools, including Leonardo, Midjourney, and ElevenLabs for voice generation. This AI-powered approach has propelled Screen Culture to 1.4 billion views and 1.4 million subscribers.

Chaudhary has earned millions in ad revenue, though he keeps exact figures private. However, his social media showcases luxury cars and extravagant travel, hinting at the financial success of his YouTube venture.

SAG-AFTRA Criticizes Studio Profits from AI Content​

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has condemned Hollywood studios for profiting from content created without real actors or directors. The organization warns that this trend undermines the value of original creativity and could have long-term consequences for the industry.