OpenAI pulls the plug on Sora
OpenAI abruptly shut down its viral Sora video app and canceled a reported $1B Disney deal as it reallocates compute and focuses on ChatGPT and enterprise tools — partners say the move blindsided them. The shutdown highlights compute limits for generative video and the product risk of AI-only social feeds as OpenAI prepares for a possible IPO. (wired.com)
OpenAI posted “We’re saying goodbye to the Sora app” on X on March 24, 2026, and said it would provide timelines for the app, API and how creators can preserve their work. (nbcnews.com) The underlying Sora model first appeared in previews in February 2024, OpenAI launched a public Sora experience in December 2024 and rolled out Sora 2 alongside an invite-only social app on September 30, 2025. (openai.com) (techcrunch.com) The Walt Disney Company had announced a three‑year licensing agreement and a planned $1 billion equity investment on December 11, 2025 that would let Sora use more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Multiple outlets report Disney’s teams were working with OpenAI on a Sora project minutes before being notified of the shutdown, with one source saying Disney staff were informed roughly 30 minutes after an evening meeting. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) (deadline.com) OpenAI executives and reporting indicate Sora’s traffic and in‑app revenue cooled after its viral debut — TechCrunch and app‑store trackers showed steep download and revenue drops in early 2026 — and CEO Sam Altman had publicly described parts of Sora’s feed as a “money grab to fund GPUs.” (techcrunch.com) (pcmag.com) Coverage from Bloomberg and other outlets says the change was framed internally as a company‑level refocus toward world‑simulation/robotics and enterprise products ahead of a potential IPO, and reporting notes OpenAI will remove the standalone Sora app, its website and the Sora API while hinting some video capabilities may be folded into other products. (bloomberg.com) (the-decoder.com)
