Disney to Invest $1B in OpenAI, Bringing 200+ Iconic Characters to Sora

The House of Mouse is officially teaming up with the House of Prompt.

The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday that it will invest $1 billion in OpenAI, marking one of its biggest public commitments to artificial intelligence yet. The deal positions Disney as OpenAI’s first major content-licensing partner on Sora, the company’s short-form AI video generator.

As part of the deal, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and also receive warrants to buy additional shares. The move puts Disney among the largest corporate backers of the ChatGPT maker and positions the media giant as a major customer of OpenAI’s technology.

Mickey, Simba, and more coming to Sora

Under the newly signed three-year licensing agreement, Sora gains access to a library of more than 200 characters across Disney’s biggest brands, including Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

This means fans will be able to create short videos featuring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Belle, Simba, Moana, Iron Man, Loki, Darth Vader, Yoda, and many more. The companies clarified that the deal “does not include any talent likenesses or voices.”

A curated selection of these fan-generated Sora videos will later appear on Disney+. The companies expect Sora and ChatGPT Images to begin producing the new licensed content in early 2026.

Beyond content licensing, Disney will adopt OpenAI tools internally. OpenAI said that 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.”

A shared commitment to responsible AI

The companies emphasized a joint commitment to safety and creator protections, saying they aim to advance human-centered AI that respects the creative industries and expands what is possible for storytelling.”

Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, noted, “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.” 

OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman added that 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.” 

The agreement is still subject to final approvals and customary closing conditions. But if completed, the deal would place Disney at the forefront of how traditional media companies engage with generative AI and give fans a new way to interact with some of the most recognizable characters ever created.

In other tech news: OpenAI and Instacart have teamed up to bring full grocery shopping and Instant Checkout directly inside ChatGPT.
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