@zefosik
Living-room remake
THE SCREAMING CATS TRENDUpdated October 21, 2026
Smalltown Boy AI Cat Dance
Turn two cat photos into a vertical Smalltown Boy dance video, with the screaming-cat camera rush, a role swap, and a red-fence finale.
October 20 trend snapshotSource for the trend timeline below.
2 photo inputs9:16 videoSilent export
Make your version
TWO-PHOTO AI WORKFLOW
9:16 5sMake your Smalltown Boy version
JPG, PNG, WebP, or HEIC. Up to 5 MB.
Output settings
Checking the active video models…
Estimated cost49 credits
≈ $0.39Approximate USD uses the 5,000-credit pack rate. Your account plan may differ.
Silent video. Add the song in your posting app if available.
Sign in to upload photos and generate a video.
PUBLIC REFERENCE SOURCES
Smalltown Boy AI creator videos
Watch creator posts in TikTok’s player. If the player is unavailable in your browser, open the original post for its caption, sound, and comments.
Trend origin and attribution notes
The human wide-angle dance reel
A Jump on the Trend snapshot dates a human dance reel to August 4, 2026 and attributes it to @elvira.mua.music and dancer @mr_unvrs.
Account and dated snapshotThe early AI cat attribution is disputed
Jump on the Trend associates an October 2 clip with @bellvtrix.ai. MakeViral and RemakeYourMeme also date an early version by @fluffyfishlover to October 2.
Compare the dated sourcesThe living-room remake by @zefosik
A room setting gives the two-subject dance a different look from the familiar red-fence version.
Open the TikTok postTHE FORMAT
What is the Smalltown Boy AI trend?
The Smalltown Boy AI trend turns a short dance routine into a tiny visual plot. One subject rushes toward an ultra-wide camera with a startled, hands-to-head expression while the second keeps dancing by a fence. After a cut, the roles swap; then the pair dance together and move toward the lens. The familiar setup is often called Smalltown Boy cats, the screaming cats trend, the Smalltown Boy cat dance, or two cats dancing AI.
The joke is a sudden change in mood: one character looks as if something terrible has happened, while the other carries on dancing. The second scream turns the reaction into a duet. A final camera rush gives the clip a clear ending. The choreography in remakes varies, so the sequence is best understood as a visual format rather than a fixed dance tutorial.
The sound belongs to a different part of the story. “Smalltown Boy” is a 1984 single by British band Bronski Beat, with Jimmy Somerville on lead vocals. Stereogum marked the song’s 40th anniversary in May 2024, while Official Charts records its first UK chart date as June 2, 1984 and a peak position of No. 3. The song tells of a gay young man leaving a hostile hometown; the AI cat format borrows the sound, not the song’s narrative. Generated downloads are silent.
The timeline has two reported reference points: a human dance reel dated August 4 and AI cat clips dated October 2. Jump on the Trend associates an early AI post with @bellvtrix.ai; MakeViral and RemakeYourMeme also name @fluffyfishlover for October 2. Those dated attributions differ, so neither creator is presented here as the confirmed first uploader.
Also called: Smalltown Boy cats, screaming cats trend, Smalltown Boy cat dance, two cats dancing AI, and small town boy AI.
DATED SOURCES
Smalltown Boy trend timeline and dated snapshots
Each count is paired with its source and snapshot date. Platform counters change, and third-party estimates can differ from official post totals.
| Date | Event and snapshot | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| May 25, 1984 | “Smalltown Boy” turns 40 Stereogum marked this date as the single’s 40th anniversary in 2024. Official Charts lists June 2, 1984 as its first UK chart date and No. 3 as its peak. | StereogumOfficial Charts |
| May 2024 | An earlier parents dance challenge Stereogum described a TikTok format where people asked their parents to dance as if it were the 1980s. It uses the same song, but it is not the later AI cats routine. | Stereogum |
| August 4, 2026 | A human dance reel is cited as an earlier version A Jump on the Trend snapshot attributes a human dance reel to Instagram accounts @elvira.mua.music and @mr_unvrs. | @elvira.mua.musicDated trend snapshot |
| October 2, 2026 | Early AI cat attribution is disputed Jump on the Trend attributes an early two-cat clip to @bellvtrix.ai. MakeViral and RemakeYourMeme also date an @fluffyfishlover version to October 2, so the first upload remains disputed. | Jump on the TrendMakeViralRemakeYourMeme |
| October 8, 2026 | A living-room cat remake appears Third-party pages recorded different counts for @zefosik’s remake on October 10: MakeViral listed about 597,000 plays and RemakeYourMeme about 713,000. Jump on the Trend later listed about 3.8 million plays and 305,000 likes on October 20. | MakeViralRemakeYourMemeJump on the Trend |
| October 20, 2026 | A dated play-count snapshot Jump on the Trend reported about 10.8 million plays for the Bellvtrix-attributed TikTok version and estimated roughly 46 million plays across short-video platforms, with a wide 33-61 million range. The cross-platform number is its estimate, not an official platform metric. | Jump on the Trend snapshot |
Play counts are third-party snapshots from the dates shown. Reposts, account visibility, and platform counters can produce different numbers.
THE FOUR BEATS
What happens in the roughly 21-second reference clip?
The source clip is commonly described as four beats. These approximate timings describe that reference sequence; generated videos follow the duration supported by the selected model.
| Beat | Source timing | Visual action |
|---|---|---|
| First scream | 0-7 sec | Photo 1 rushes close to the 0.5x lens with paws or hands at the head; photo 2 keeps dancing by the fence. |
| Role swap | 7-14 sec | A hard cut swaps the roles so the second subject gets the close-up reaction. |
| Dance together | 14-19.7 sec | Both subjects share the frame for a short side-by-side dance, with the camera changing height or angle. |
| Rush the lens | 19.7-21.7 sec | The pair move toward the camera until their faces fill the frame. |
The reference sequence runs for about 21 seconds. A generated version may compress its four beats to fit the duration supported by the selected model. Review the available duration and credit estimate before submitting.
FROM PHOTOS TO VIDEO
How to make a Smalltown Boy AI video
Use two photos in a deliberate order. The selected pairing and scene guide the motion prompt, while the model creates a new interpretation of the dance.
Choose who screams first
Photo 1 is prompted to take the first close-up reaction. Photo 2 starts farther back by the fence, then the roles swap after a cut. Upload order sets that sequence, so put the subject you want to react first in slot one.
Add two clear photos
Use one subject per photo. A face and body that are easy to see, even light, and a simple background give the model useful reference details. Avoid filters, heavy crops, sunglasses, and group shots; the model needs to distinguish the two references when it changes roles.
Pick a pairing and a scene
Choose pets, people, or a pet with a person. Keep the original red fence or try a living room, neon studio, or snowy backyard. The prompt changes with these choices.
Review settings and credits
The active model controls duration and resolution. Review the displayed credit estimate and approximate USD value, then confirm that you have permission to animate the photos.
Generate, review, and add sound
Preview the result before downloading the MP4. Check both subjects through the role swap, since movement and small markings can vary. The downloaded video is silent. If the song is available in your region, add “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat through the social app’s music picker and label the post as AI-generated.
PHOTO TIPS
Photo tips for cleaner two-subject motion
Clear references help the model preserve recognizable details, though small markings and expressions can change between frames.
Pets: show face, coat, and body
Use a sharp, well-lit photo where the animal’s face and most of its body are visible. A clear view of coat color and markings gives the model more to follow, though small features can shift between frames.
People: face forward and leave space
A waist-up or full-body portrait with a clear face works better than a group photo. Leave room around the person so the generated camera move has space to change distance.
Pet plus person: keep both references simple
Choose one clear subject in each photo and avoid busy backgrounds. The model may change relative scale or pose when it combines a person and an animal; review the result before sharing.
Use images you have permission to animate
Ask before using another person’s photo, keep private details out of the frame, and do not upload images of minors or public figures.
PAIRING IDEAS
Smalltown Boy AI ideas for your pair
Two subjects make the visual hand-off work. Start with a pairing you can identify at a glance, then choose a background that keeps the movement readable.
Two cats
The closest visual match to the screaming-cat format. Put the cat with the clearest face in photo 1 if you want its reaction first.
Cat and dog
A familiar pet pairing with distinct silhouettes. Use two photos with similar light so the scene feels like one moment.
Two people
Try friends, siblings, or consenting adult partners. Ask each person before uploading and check the result for unexpected changes.
You and your pet
Pair one portrait with one pet photo. A clear, uncluttered background helps the model keep the two subjects separate.
Long-distance duet
Use your pet and a friend’s pet from different places. Choose references with similar camera height and avoid including location-sensitive details.
MAKE IT BY HAND
A Smalltown Boy Higgsfield prompt and 0.5x guide
For a manual workflow in an image-to-video tool such as Higgsfield, describe the four visual beats and the order of the reference subjects. Keep the prompt focused on motion, framing, and setting.
Original prompt idea
Two [describe each subject from the reference photos] stand upright at a red wooden fence with a little ivy, daylight. Low camera, 0.5x ultra-wide phone perspective, vertical 9:16. Photo 1 rushes toward the lens with a startled open-mouth expression and paws or hands beside the head; photo 2 dances calmly in the background. Cut and swap their roles. Then both move side by side in a playful dance and finally rush toward the camera until their faces fill the frame. Keep both reference identities recognizable, use natural colors, and avoid adding text or logos.Filming a human version with a 0.5x phone lens
If you are filming people rather than generating a clip, use the phone’s ultra-wide 0.5x camera only if it is available on your device. Set the phone low and keep it stable, leave room for the close-up approach, and use a plain fence or wall so the subjects stay clear. Agree on who reacts first, rehearse the role swap, and record a few takes. The wide lens can stretch faces near the edge, so keep the close-up subject near the center. The original sound is not bundled with this generator; choose an authorized in-app track when posting.
Smalltown Boy AI generator vs. a CapCut template
A template-based edit usually starts from an existing sequence and asks you to replace or fit media into its slots. An image-to-video generator uses your reference photos to synthesize new movement, so the timing, pose, and appearance can vary. Choose a template when you want a fixed edit and a generator when you want your own subjects animated. Neither approach makes the result identical to the source clip or grants rights to its music.
CLEAR UP THE MIX-UPS
What the Smalltown Boy AI trend is not
The same song appears in more than one format. These distinctions help separate the October 2026 AI cats from older dance posts and unrelated uses.
| If you saw… | What it is | How it relates | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 2024 #80sdancechallenge | A TikTok format around the song’s 40th anniversary asked parents to dance as if it were the 1980s. | Same song; different challenge and date. | Stereogum |
| Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story | Episode 6 is titled “Bed and Breakfast.” Netflix Tudum describes a dance sequence to “Smalltown Boy” in the show. | A separate dramatic scene, not the AI-cat routine. | Netflix episode listNetflix Tudum |
| Two cats screaming by a fence | The October 2026 AI remake associated with the later two-subject scream-and-dance format. | Transforms two reference photos into an original dance interpretation. | Dated trend snapshot |
| A “Macarena” clip | That is a mistaken song label sometimes attached to a short dance edit. | The song discussed here is “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat. | Official Charts |
TREND SNAPSHOT
Is the Smalltown Boy trend still growing?
As of October 20, 2026, Jump on the Trend recorded about 10.7 million plays for the Bellvtrix-attributed TikTok version on October 19 and about 10.8 million the following day. The @zefosik remake moved from about 3.7 million to 3.8 million over the same snapshots. That points to slower growth for these two posts, while new pet remakes continued to appear.
Jump on the Trend (October 20, 2026)CHECK BEFORE YOU GENERATE
What does a Smalltown Boy AI video cost?
Video generation uses credits. The estimate changes with the active model, duration, and resolution. A 5,000-credit pack is listed at $39.99; subscriptions and other packs can value credits differently. The generator displays an estimated credit charge and approximate USD value before submission. Eligible failed jobs follow the credit-return rules on the pricing page.
View credit plansLIVE ESTIMATEModel-dependentSelected model, duration, and resolutionSee the generator estimate
QUICK ANSWERS
Smalltown Boy AI FAQ
What is Smalltown Boy AI?
Smalltown Boy AI is the October 2026 screaming-cats video format: two AI subjects take turns reacting close to a wide-angle lens, then dance together. The generator creates a new interpretation from two reference photos.
Who made the first Smalltown Boy AI cat video?
The first cat upload is disputed. Jump on the Trend credits an early clip to @bellvtrix.ai, while MakeViral and RemakeYourMeme also date an @fluffyfishlover version to October 2, 2026.
How many photos do I need?
Use two, with one subject in each photo. The first upload is prompted to react first; the second begins farther back, and the roles then swap.
Can I use a dog or a person instead of two cats?
Yes. Choose pets, people, or one pet and one person. Two cats are closest to the familiar format, but the generator prompt adapts to the pairing you select. Ask permission before using another person’s image.
How long is the video and what format does it use?
The generator requests vertical 9:16 framing and lets you choose from the active model’s supported durations and resolutions. Many current models top out below the roughly 21-second reference clip, so check the displayed settings before you submit.
Who sings “Smalltown Boy,” and is the song included?
Bronski Beat released the 1984 single, with Jimmy Somerville on lead vocals. The generated MP4 is silent. If the song is available to your account, add it through TikTok or Instagram’s music picker and follow that service’s terms.
Is the Smalltown Boy AI generator free?
Browsing and setting up the form are free. Video generation uses TrendingAI.video credits. The current credit estimate and an approximate dollar value appear in the generator before submission; see Pricing for available plans and packs.
Will the video have a watermark?
Watermark behavior depends on the selected model or provider. Review the result and the active model’s terms before sharing.
Is this the same as the 2024 parents dance or Netflix’s Monster scene?
No. The 2024 TikTok challenge asked parents to dance to the song, and Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has a separate dance sequence in episode 6, “Bed and Breakfast.” The AI-cat format is a later, distinct two-subject video.
Are the cats real, and is the trend over?
The viral cat characters are AI-generated. Label your own generated post honestly. A third-party snapshot on October 20, 2026 described play counts as holding steady; that observation is dated and does not establish that the trend has ended.
YOUR TURN
Two photos, two reactions, one dance
Choose your pair, check the live credit estimate, and make a Smalltown Boy-inspired version in the TrendingAI.video studio.
Independent AI video tool. Not affiliated with Bronski Beat, Jimmy Somerville, TikTok, Instagram, Netflix, or the creators of the referenced clips. The hero artwork is an AI-generated illustration, not a generator result.