If you’ve ever wanted to make a short AI video featuring Han Solo one minute and the Zootopia cast the next—Disney and OpenAI are about to make that a lot more official.
The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI announced a three-year licensing agreement that will let OpenAI’s Sora generate short, user-prompted social videos using more than 200 “animated, masked and creature” characters from across Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars—plus related costumes, props, vehicles, and iconic environments.
Notably, the deal does not include any talent likenesses or voices, a key caveat as Hollywood continues to debate where generative AI fits into entertainment.
What’s included (and where it shows up)
The agreement isn’t just about Sora. Disney says ChatGPT Images will also be able to generate still images from the same pool of licensed characters and IP.
Disney and OpenAI also say a curated selection of fan-inspired Sora videos will be available to stream on Disney+.
Disney’s $1B investment and OpenAI “major customer” role
As part of the broader partnership, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI—using OpenAI’s APIs for new products and experiences (including for Disney+) and deploying ChatGPT for employees.
Disney is also making a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and will receive warrants to purchase additional equity. The companies note the transaction is subject to definitive agreements, approvals, and customary closing conditions.
Child-safety backlash, and what OpenAI’s policies say
The deal is already drawing criticism from child-advocacy group Fairplay, which argues Disney is effectively funneling kids toward an AI video platform. In its statement, Fairplay called the partnership a “betrayal” and criticized what it described as efforts to “lure young kids” onto Sora.
OpenAI’s public policies, however, set a minimum age of 13 to use its services, and require parent or legal guardian permission for users under 18. In the announcement, OpenAI also says it will continue implementing “responsible measures,” including age-appropriate policies and other controls, and that both companies will maintain “robust controls” to prevent illegal or harmful content generation.
When it starts
Disney and OpenAI say Sora and ChatGPT Images are expected to begin generating fan-inspired videos and images with Disney’s licensed characters in early 2026.