The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have reached an agreement for Disney to become the first major content licensing partner on Sora, OpenAI's short-formgenerative AI video platform, bringing these leaders in creativity and innovation together to unlock new possibilities in imaginative storytelling. As part of this new, three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing from a set of more than 200 animated, masked and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, including costumes, props, vehicles, and iconic environments. In addition, ChatGPT Images will be able to turn a few words by the user into fully generated images in seconds, drawing from the same intellectual property.
The agreement does not include any talentlikenesses or voices. Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees. Under the agreement, Disney and OpenAI are affirming a shared commitment to the responsible use of AI that protects user safety and the rights of creators.
Together, the companies will advance human-centered AI that protects the creative industries and expands what is possible for storytelling. The transaction is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, required corporate and board approvals, and customary closing conditions. Under the license, fans will be able to watch curated selections of Sora-generated videos on Disney+, and OpenAI and Disney will collaborate to utilize OpenAI's models to power new experiences for Disney + subscribers, furthering innovative and creative ways to connect with Disney's stories and characters.ora and ChatGPT Images are expected to start generating fan-inspired videos with Disney's multi-brand licensed characters in early 2026.
Among the characters fans will be able to use in their creations are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch,riel, Belle, Beast, Disney, 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, and the company will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, and receive warrants to purchase additional equity. As part of the agreement, Disney will make a $1 billion Equity investment in OpenAI, and received warrants to purchase additional equity.
