The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have reached a major agreement that will bring Disney’s most famous characters to Sora, OpenAI’s generative AI video platform.
It’s a first-of-its-kind deal that lets Sora create short, user-prompted social videos featuring more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters, along with environments, vehicles, and props.
The partnership will also allow ChatGPT Images to generate fully produced images using the same IP. Disney confirms no talent likenesses or voices are part of the license.
Fan-Created AI Videos Coming to Disney+
A curated selection of Sora-generated fan videos will stream on Disney+ starting in early 2026.
Fans will be able to create and share their own short-form videos featuring characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, Mufasa, as well as characters from the worlds of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up, Zootopia, and many more; plus iconic animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers, Yoda and more.
Disney and OpenAI will also collaborate on new AI-powered experiences for Disney+ subscribers using OpenAI’s APIs.
Disney Makes $1 Billion Investment in OpenAI
Alongside the three-year deal, Disney will become a major OpenAI customer and will deploy ChatGPT internally for employees.
Disney is also investing $1 billion into OpenAI and will receive warrants to purchase additional equity.
Commitment to “Responsible AI”
Both companies emphasize the deal includes strong guardrails around copyright, creator rights, user safety, voice likeness protections, and preventing harmful content generation. OpenAI has agreed to maintain and expand its trust and safety systems.
Disney CEO Bob Iger called the collaboration a pivotal moment for entertainment, saying it lets fans connect with iconic characters “in ways we’ve never seen before.”
“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. “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.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Disney as “the global gold standard for storytelling” and said the partnership shows how creatives and AI tech can work together responsibly.
“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,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “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.”
Early 2026 Launch Window
Sora and ChatGPT Images are expected to begin generating fan-inspired videos using Disney IP in early 2026, pending final approvals and closing conditions.
