Pixelcut
A cinematic, widescreen image of an astronaut on an alien planet, framed by black bars at the top and bottom to create a movie-like feel.

Edit Cinematic Black Bars to Photos with AI

Trusted by 70 million people
171,800 Reviews
Developer API
Available on iPhone & Android

How to Add Cinematic Black Bars to Your Photo

  1. 1

    Upload your image

    Start by uploading the photo you want to give a cinematic look. Choose any image from your device.

  2. 2

    Enter your prompt

    In the text box, describe the edit you want. For example, type 'Add cinematic black bars to my photo' or 'Give this image a widescreen movie look'.

  3. 3

    Generate your edit

    Click the generate button and let our AI apply the classic letterbox effect, instantly transforming your photo.

  4. 4

    Download your image

    Your new cinematic photo is ready. Download it in high-resolution and share it anywhere.

Transform your everyday photos into dramatic, cinematic stills. Our AI editor makes it easy to add the iconic letterbox effect, often called cinematic black bars, to any image. You don't need complicated software or design skills. Just upload your picture, and our tool will frame it perfectly to create that widescreen, movie-like aesthetic. It's the fastest way to give your photos a professional and compelling look, making them feel like they were pulled straight from the big screen.

Get the Film Look in Seconds

A mockup demonstrating a cinematic effect, showing a photo of a car on a rainy, neon-lit city street at night. The image has wide black bars at the top and bottom, creating a widescreen movie look.
Cinematic black bars do more than just look stylish; they're a powerful compositional tool. By adding black bars to the top and bottom of your photo, you create a widescreen aspect ratio that naturally draws the viewer's eye toward the center of the image. This effect enhances focus on your subject, minimizes distractions, and adds a sense of scale and drama. It’s an easy technique to make your portraits more intense, your landscapes more epic, and your everyday shots more visually interesting.

Frame Your Subject and Create Drama

A cinematic still of a woman in a car at night, framed with black bars at the top and bottom to create a widescreen effect.
Forget about manual adjustments and guesswork. Our AI-powered tool intelligently analyzes your photo to apply cinematic black bars with perfect placement. The AI ensures your subject remains the focal point, creating a balanced and professional composition every time. Whether your original photo is a portrait, a landscape, or an action shot, the letterbox effect will be applied symmetrically to enhance the image without cropping out important details. Get a flawless cinematic edit with just one click.

Perfectly Centered with AI Precision

A photorealistic, cinematic image of a lion at sunrise, framed with wide black bars at the top and bottom to demonstrate a cinematic letterbox effect.
It’s Fast: Go from a standard photo to a cinematic masterpiece in moments. It's Easy to Use: No complex menus or settings. Just upload your photo and type a simple prompt. AI-Powered: Let artificial intelligence do the hard work of perfectly framing your shot for a professional look. No Pro Software Needed: Achieve the same dramatic effect you see in movies without needing expensive editing suites. Elevate Your Social Media: Create a cohesive and captivating aesthetic for your Instagram feed or blog.

Why use Pixelcut's AI Cinematic Black Bars Tool?

A dramatic photo of stormy ocean waves crashing against cliffs, framed with cinematic black bars at the top and bottom to demonstrate a widescreen effect.
Dramatic Portraits: Make your headshots and portraits feel more intense and professional by focusing all attention on the subject. Epic Landscapes: Turn scenic photos into breathtaking, widescreen vistas that feel larger than life. Storytelling on Social Media: Give your Instagram or Facebook posts a narrative, film-like quality that captivates your audience. Product Photography: Add a high-end, premium feel to your product shots, making them look more polished and desirable. Event Photos: Frame moments from weddings or parties to give them a timeless, story-driven look.

Cinematic Black Bars Use Cases

A photorealistic image of a stag in a misty field at sunrise, framed with cinematic black bars at the top and bottom to create a widescreen effect, presented as a mockup on a white background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pixelcut is loved by over 2 million people

  • My favorite app

    Great app, easy to use. Helps our small business save time and money to create different marketing materials professionally. Thank you.
    Shaelyn D.
  • Best background remover

    I need a good background remover for my work and I've been through them all it feels like. This one is the best by far. It's so easy to use and the results always look amazing. Thank you Pixelcut!
    Kira H.
  • Love it

    It's amazingly easy and gives the perfect results for my bags and accessories. It looks like it was done by a professional photographer.
    Mary J.