OpenAI Shuts Down Sora API After Video Platform’s Short Run

OpenAI has officially discontinued the Sora API, ending the developer-accessible version of its AI video-generation technology on September 24, 2026. The company had previously announced that the Sora web and app experiences would be discontinued on April 26, while the API would remain available until September. OpenAI’s official documentation confirms that the Videos API and Sora 2 models were removed from the API on September 24.

Sora attracted considerable attention after its launch because of its ability to generate realistic videos from text prompts. The technology allowed developers and creators to experiment with AI-generated video and became one of OpenAI’s most visible projects outside its core chatbot products. However, maintaining video-generation systems requires substantial computing resources, and reports indicated that Sora placed significant demands on OpenAI’s infrastructure.

The shutdown also affected OpenAI’s plans for the wider commercial use of Sora. Disney had previously been linked to a major partnership involving OpenAI’s AI-generated video technology, but the planned arrangement was disrupted following OpenAI’s decision to discontinue Sora. Reports said the development represented a setback for plans to combine generative AI video with major entertainment franchises.

For developers that depended on Sora, the API shutdown means existing integrations using Sora 2 and Sora 2 Pro can no longer continue through OpenAI’s Videos API. OpenAI’s developer documentation lists September 24 as the shutdown date for the Sora models and related API, without specifying a direct replacement for the discontinued video-generation service.

OpenAI has meanwhile been directing greater attention toward other areas of artificial intelligence, including coding, enterprise tools, AI agents and advanced reasoning systems. The end of Sora does not necessarily mean that AI-generated video has lost importance across the industry, but it demonstrates how quickly AI companies can change product priorities as computing costs, demand and commercial opportunities evolve. For users who created content through Sora, OpenAI has advised exporting their data and content, with the company warning that associated data could eventually be permanently deleted after the applicable export period.