OpenAI’s Sora API stops accepting new requests on September 24. This closes out the company’s AI video generation tool after a two-stage wind-down that began months earlier.
The process started with an announcement in March. Sora’s web and mobile apps shut down on April 26. The developer API kept running in the months that followed. Once the September 24 cutoff hits and any remaining export window ends, OpenAI will permanently delete all user data tied to Sora. People who still have content can export it at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset before that point.
No replacement video model has been named. Any leftover Sora credits can be moved over to Codex, OpenAI’s coding tool.
Disney Partnership That Never Finalized
The biggest loss tied to Sora’s end was the planned deal with Disney. On December 11, 2025, the two companies announced a three-year agreement. Disney would have become the first major content licensing partner for Sora. Users would have been able to create short videos that included more than 200 characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Disney also planned to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and receive warrants for additional equity.
The deal never closed. No money changed hands. In March, Disney found out about the cancellation roughly 30 minutes after a joint working session. OpenAI made the public announcement the following day. A Disney spokesperson later said the company will look at other AI platforms for ways to use the technology responsibly without infringing on intellectual property rights.
Shift in Priorities and Dropping Usage
OpenAI moved its attention toward coding tools, enterprise customers, and the push for artificial general intelligence. Sora was using computational resources that left other teams with less capacity.
User interest had already dropped. Downloads fell 32 percent month over month in December 2025. They fell another 45 percent in January 2026, when monthly installs reached about 1.2 million.
Disney has continued with its own technology plans. The company recently named Karandeep Anand, former CEO of Character AI, as its first company-wide chief technology officer. He reports directly to CEO Josh D’Amaro.
Developers still using the Sora API have until September 24 to move to other options. Alternatives mentioned include Google’s Veo, Runway, and Kling.
FAQ
When does the Sora API stop accepting requests?
The API stops accepting requests on September 24. After that date and once any final export window closes, OpenAI will permanently delete all associated user data.
What happened to the Disney licensing deal?
Disney and OpenAI announced a three-year agreement on December 11, 2025, that included character licensing and a $1 billion investment. The transaction never closed and no money changed hands.
Can remaining Sora credits still be used?
Yes. Remaining Sora credits can be applied to Codex, OpenAI’s coding tool.