Creators seek new AI video platforms as OpenAI ends Sora, Disney partnership collapses
OpenAI announced Tuesday it is shutting down Sora, its AI-powered video creation app, leaving creators scrambling for replacements. The move coincides with Disney canceling plans to invest $1 billion in OpenAI, ending a high-profile partnership that aimed to bring fan-generated content featuring Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters to life.
Launched in late 2025, Sora allowed users to generate realistic videos from text prompts. Its second version, Sora 2, introduced hyperreal visuals and the ability to cast friends as animated characters. Despite attracting a devoted user base, the platform faced criticism over copyright issues, with studios like Studio Ghibli and Japan’s CODA urging stricter protections.
In a statement, OpenAI’s Sora team said, “We’re saying goodbye to Sora. To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered.” The company offered no explanation for the shutdown but promised details on preserving user creations.
Disney’s exit also terminated a groundbreaking licensing deal, which would have allowed Sora to feature over 200 of the studio’s characters. A Disney spokesperson emphasized responsible AI use while respecting intellectual property.
For creators seeking alternatives, Google Veo 3 and Luma Ray3 are leading options. Veo 3 offers high-quality videos and AI features starting at $7.99 per month, while Ray3 targets professional creators with 1080p output and advanced editing tools at $30 per month.
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