Walt Disney has entered a three-year partnership with OpenAI that will allow more than 200 of its iconic characters to be used in AI-generated images and video, marking one of the most expansive licensing agreements yet between a major entertainment company and an artificial intelligence platform.
Under the agreement, characters from across Disney’s portfolio — including Mickey Mouse, figures from Inside Out and Frozen, and Marvel superheroes — will be available for photo generation within ChatGPT and video creation through OpenAI’s Sora platform. The content will be created by users of those tools, rather than by Disney directly.
Disney will retain the right to showcase select user-generated videos on Disney+, integrating AI-created content into its streaming ecosystem while maintaining control over how its intellectual property is presented. The arrangement positions Disney to benefit from the growing popularity of generative AI without surrendering ownership of its characters.
The deal reflects a broader shift in how entertainment companies are approaching artificial intelligence, moving from defensive postures around copyright to structured partnerships that monetize access while setting boundaries. It also gives OpenAI one of the most recognizable character libraries ever licensed for generative use.
The partnership was announced Dec. 11 and comes as studios across Hollywood explore how AI tools can coexist with traditional content creation, licensing models, and distribution platforms.
