YouTube is reportedly taking steps to clamp down on fake movie channels that are largely reliant on AI, stripping them of their ability to monetize content.
Following an investigation by Deadline, YouTube has now reportedly disabled monetization for two of the most prominent fake movie trailer channels on the platform.
Both Screen Culture and KH Studio trailers, amassing over two million subscribers and 1.9 billion collective views, have both been stripped of their ability to make money on the video sharing platform, according to Deadline’s sources.
These channels pump out fake trailers for all sorts of film projects, both real and fake in their own right, luring unsuspecting viewers into believing they’re getting a first look at genuine footage. In reality, many of the videos are split between clips of older films and AI-generated content.
YouTube strikes out at fake movie trailer channels
A March 28 report from Deadline revealed how a number of Hollywood studios have actually been pleading with YouTube to keep ad revenue alive on these fake trailer channels. For what reason, no one quite knows for certain, but connecting the dots tells us there’s a chance they’re taking a slice of generated revenue from this fake content.
In the case of Screen Culture, the more prolific of the two, they profit from fake trailers based on real material. Be it the long-awaited second GTA 6 trailer or a first look at Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Odyssey, none of it is real; misleading cheeky titles and AI-generated thumbnails get viewers clicking nonetheless.
Here’s Henry Cavill starring in an Elden Ring movie made entirely by AI, because why not.
KH Studio on the other hand, while often creating trailers for real projects as well, also generated plenty of attention for trailers of completely fictional projects. A 2025 Lord of the Rings film with Timothée Chalamet as Frodo, a Titanic 2 trailer with DiCaprio miraculously returning as an elderly Jack, it’s all entirely fake.
With both channels often relying on clips from existing movies, splicing edits over the top, they void YouTube’s monetization policies. “You need to change it significantly and make it your own,” the policy reads in reference to borrowing material from others. Content should not be copied for the “sole purpose of getting views.”
When reached for comment, KH Studio’s founder claimed their goal has “always been to explore creative possibilities.” Meanwhile, Screen Culture founder Nikhil P. Chaudhari questioned, “what’s the harm?”
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.