Disney and OpenAI strike first-of-its-kind Sora content pact

MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have sealed a landmark three-year deal that brings more than 200 beloved characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars into Sora, OpenAI’s short-form generative video platform. The move marks the first major content licensing partnership for Sora and signals a new chapter in how fans can play with – and participate in – the magic of Disney storytelling.

Under the agreement, users will be able to generate short, prompt-based videos featuring animated, masked and creature characters, complete with iconic costumes, props and worlds. ChatGPT Images will also turn simple text into fully formed images using the same library. The arrangement excludes talent likenesses and voices, keeping the focus firmly on character-driven creativity.

Disney will also become a significant OpenAI customer, adopting its APIs to build new tools and experiences across the company, including for Disney+, and rolling out ChatGPT internally for staff. To deepen the partnership, Disney will invest 1 billion dollars in OpenAI and receive warrants for additional equity.

Both companies have put responsible AI at the heart of the collaboration. They have pledged strict safety measures, age-appropriate policies and robust controls to prevent illegal or harmful content. The commitment also includes protecting creator rights and ensuring that individuals retain control over the use of their likeness.

Fans will soon be able to watch curated Sora-generated videos on Disney+, while OpenAI and Disney teams work together to develop fresh experiences for subscribers. The first wave of fan-inspired Disney-powered Sora videos is expected in early 2026.

Characters available to creators will range from Mickey, Minnie and Moana to Elsa, Simba, Baymax and the worlds of Encanto, Toy Story and Zootopia, alongside animated or illustrated favourites from Marvel and Lucasfilm including Black Panther, Iron Man, Loki, Darth Vader and Yoda.

Disney CEO Robert A. Iger said the collaboration represents a pivotal moment for entertainment, adding that Disney hopes to extend its storytelling reach through AI while protecting the artists behind the magic. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called Disney the gold standard for storytelling and said the partnership shows how creative leaders and AI innovators can work together for the benefit of fans everywhere.

The deal now moves to final approvals and closing conditions, but one thing is already clear. For fans, creators and curious newcomers alike, the worlds of imagination are about to get a lot more hands-on.