OpenAI sunsets Sora 1 in the US and makes Sora 2 the default

In short: OpenAI did not shut down Sora entirely, it ended Sora 1 for US users on March 13, 2026 and switched people to Sora 2.

What happened

OpenAI sunset Sora 1 in the United States on March 13, 2026. Sora is OpenAI’s tool that can create videos from text prompts (like describing a short scene and getting a video back). Sora 2 is now the default version for US users.

Sora 1 was an older version that used older systems behind the scenes. OpenAI removed it in the US to simplify support and put improvements into Sora 2 instead. Users were told to export their work before the cutoff, because after the sunset, stored images, videos, and records tied to Sora 1 were deleted.

OpenAI is not removing Sora everywhere at once. In places where Sora 2 is not available yet, Sora 1 can still be used until the rollout expands.

At the same time, Sora 2 has had reliability and access issues. Some users report videos getting stuck at 99% completion and seeing “under heavy load” messages, which means the system is too busy. Since January 2026, access has also been more limited, with generation disabled for free and some new accounts, and access pushed toward paid Plus (about $20 per month) or Pro (about $200 per month) plans. The Verge also mentioned reports about a broader shutdown, but the available information does not confirm the Sora app, the developer API (a way for software to connect to Sora, like a doorway for other apps), or any Disney licensing deal being ended.

Why it matters

If you use Sora for work or school, the key change is that Sora 1 is gone in the US and its saved history may not be recoverable. Also, Sora 2 may be harder to access and less predictable during busy periods, which can affect deadlines.

Source: The Verge AI