What Happened to Sora?
Updated November 2026
OpenAI shut down Sora. The company announced it was discontinuing its AI video generator on March 24, 2026, and the Sora app went offline on April 26, 2026. Sora videos can no longer be viewed or downloaded from their links. Here is the full timeline, why it happened, and what to do now.
Sora Shutdown Timeline
OpenAI previews Sora, its text-to-video model, with a set of demo clips.
Sora launches publicly for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers at sora.com.
OpenAI releases Sora 2 with synchronized audio, along with the Sora app, a TikTok-style feed of AI videos with cameos and remixes.
OpenAI announces it is discontinuing Sora. The same week, reports say Disney pulled out of a planned $1 billion investment tied to the partnership.
The Sora app goes offline. sora.chatgpt.com/p/s_ share links stop serving videos, and every third-party Sora downloader stops working.
Scheduled retirement date for the Sora video API and its Sora 2 models, ending developer access.
Why Did OpenAI Shut Down Sora?
The Sora app made it easy to put real people and famous characters into realistic AI videos. That led to months of criticism over deepfakes, consent for people's likeness, and copyrighted characters appearing in viral clips, along with pressure from rights holders and talent agencies.
Around the shutdown announcement, reports also said Disney had pulled out of a planned $1 billion investment. OpenAI chose to end Sora as a standalone product rather than keep running it.
What It Means for You
- Sora links are dead. Any sora.chatgpt.com/p/s_ link no longer loads a video, so Sora video downloaders no longer work.
- Your own videos may still exist. Check your devices, the apps you posted to, and a ChatGPT data export. See how to recover Sora videos.
- Watermark removers stopped working too. Here's why.
- You can keep making AI videos. Compare the best Sora alternatives like Google Veo, Kling AI and Runway.
Sora Shutdown FAQ
Is Sora shut down?
Yes. OpenAI announced on March 24, 2026 that it was discontinuing Sora, and the Sora app went offline on April 26, 2026. Sora share links no longer play or download.
When did Sora shut down?
The Sora app shut down on April 26, 2026, about a month after OpenAI announced the decision. The developer API was scheduled to be retired on September 24, 2026.
Why did OpenAI shut down Sora?
OpenAI ended Sora after months of controversy over deepfakes, likeness rights and copyrighted characters in user videos. Reports at the time also noted Disney pulling out of a planned $1 billion investment.
Will Sora come back?
OpenAI has not announced a return of Sora or a direct replacement. If that changes, it will be on OpenAI's official blog and help center first.
Can I still download my Sora videos?
Not from Sora links. Look for copies on your devices, in apps where you posted them, and in a ChatGPT data export. Our guide on the homepage walks through each option.
What should I use instead of Sora?
Google Veo is the closest replacement for Sora 2, with realistic video and native audio. Kling AI, Runway, Luma, Hailuo and Pika are also strong options depending on what you make.