OpenAI and The Walt Disney Company have formalised a wide-ranging agreement that positions Disney as the first major content partner for Sora, OpenAI’s short-form generative video platform. The multi-year deal will allow Sora to generate short, fan-prompted social videos built from a library of more than 200 characters across Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, along with associated costumes, props, vehicles and settings. The arrangement excludes the use of talent likenesses and voices.
Beyond licensing, the partnership deepens operational ties between the two companies. Disney will use OpenAI’s APIs to develop new tools, products and experiences — including for Disney+ and ChatGPT will be rolled out internally for employees. Disney will also invest $1 billion in OpenAI and receive warrants to purchase further equity.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Images will draw from the same intellectual property to generate images based on user prompts. According to the companies, the collaboration is underpinned by a commitment to responsible AI development, with a stated focus on protecting creators’ rights and setting standards for safe use.
The agreement remains subject to definitive documentation, corporate and board approvals, and customary closing conditions.
“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. He adds, “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works. Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, added, “Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content. This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”
As part of the collaboration, Disney+ will feature curated selections of Sora-generated videos. Both companies also plan to explore additional uses of OpenAI models to create new experiences for Disney+ subscribers. The first Sora and ChatGPT Images outputs featuring Disney’s licensed multi-brand characters are expected to roll out in early 2026.
Characters set to appear in fan-generated creations range from Disney classics like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Simba, Belle and Baymax, to Pixar mainstays such as those from Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Inside Out and Up. The licensed catalogue also includes animated and illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters including Iron Man, Loki, Black Panther, Darth Vader, Yoda, Han Solo and many others.
OpenAI has reiterated its commitment to safety measures, including age-appropriate policies and controls to prevent harmful or illegal outputs. Both companies have also underscored the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and individual rights related to voice and likeness.
