Once Upon Us
How it works
Once Upon Us turns your memories together, from the first date to today, into a short animated love story. Pick a style (3D animated, hand-drawn, anime, cartoon, claymation or comic book) and the two of you as characters: we redraw every photo in that style and, once you've checked each scene, bring it to life as a 5-second moving scene, in order, opened with your names, with your words on screen and the music you pick. Films run 1, 3 or 5 minutes and you pay once, by length: $24.99 for 1 minute, $49.99 for 3 minutes or $69.99 for 5 minutes, and you see your first scene free before you pay.
Example frames in three of the six styles. Your film is drawn from your own photos.
Add your photos
Add 3 to 60 photos of the two of you, from the first date to today. Once Upon Us reads the date each photo was taken and puts your memories in order.
Pick a style and your characters
3D animated, hand-drawn, anime, cartoon, claymation or comic book. We draw the two of you in that style three ways; you pick the pair that looks most like you, and we draw your first scene with them free, before you pay. They star in every scene of your film.
Make it yours
Your names open the film in the look you pick. Add words on screen, choose one of four songs and write your closing line. Then look over your storyboard, pick your film's length and pay once.
We draw it, then bring it to life
Every photo is then redrawn, usually within 30 minutes, and we email you a private link. You look your scenes over, then every scene becomes a short moving shot in about 10 more minutes.
Watch it, change it, give it
Download it, send it as a gift link or print a card with a QR code. The editor lets you reorder scenes, replace photos and add new scenes afterwards.
Six styles
3D animated
Like a modern animated movie: soft, rounded shapes and warm cinematic light.
Hand-drawn
Classic 2D animation: clean ink lines and painted backgrounds.
Anime
Delicate line art, soft shading and glowing skies.
Cartoon
Bold outlines, bright flat colors and friendly shapes.
Claymation
People and sets that look sculpted by hand from modeling clay.
Comic book
Bold inks, halftone shading and big, vivid color.
Every scene comes to life
Each photo is redrawn in the style you picked, then brought to life as a short moving shot. You check every scene first, add words on screen where you want them and pick the music, then your film is cut together.
A moment without a photo
The night you met, the trip with no pictures: describe up to two moments and they are drawn with the two of you in them, in your film's style.
Made with you, scene by scene. Add your photos, pick your characters and see your first scene free before you pay, then check each scene before it comes to life.
Start our filmMade for every occasion
Updated November 6, 2026