Disney and OpenAI Make Historic Agreement

Disney-OpenAI Ally for Three Years in AI Video Technology, Licensing Disney Icons for Sora Platform

The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, have entered into a three-year agreement that places Disney at the forefront of video AI technology. As part of the deal, Disney invested $1 billion in OpenAI, marking OpenAI's first major content licensing partnership with a Hollywood studio for its Sora AI video platform. Through this partnership, OpenAI gains access to Disney's intellectual property for its ChatGPT image generator. This will allow Sora users to create videos featuring over 200 iconic characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises, including Darth Vader, Iron Man, Simba, and characters from Frozen, Inside Out, Toy Story, and The Mandalorian. Disney CEO Bob Iger stated the partnership aims to extend storytelling through generative AI while respecting and protecting creators and their works. While fans can create content using characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, and Mufasa, the agreement does not include the rights to use the likenesses or voices of actors. Only animated or illustrated versions of the licensed characters are involved.

Disney-OpenAI Collaborate for AI Integration and Responsible Content Creation at TC Disrupt 2025

Disney will also become a major OpenAI customer, integrating tools like ChatGPT into its systems and utilizing AI APIs to develop new products and experiences, including features for Disney. According to OpenAI, both companies are dedicated to implementing responsible measures for trust and safety and maintaining strict controls to prevent the generation of illegal or harmful content. The collaboration was announced during the TC Disrupt event in San Francisco, held from October 13 to 15, 2025. As Hollywood and the creative industry reconsiders the use of AI, Disney has chosen to collaborate directly with OpenAI to establish norms and explore new storytelling methods. The collaboration is contingent on definitive agreements and standard closing conditions. Sora and ChatGPT Images are expected to begin producing videos featuring Disney characters in early 2026, generated from user-written prompts.