OpenAI · OpenAI's Flagship Video & Audio Generation Model

Sora 2

4 Breakthrough Capabilities

A state-of-the-art video and audio generation model that brings unprecedented physical accuracy, realism, and controllability. Create richly detailed, dynamic clips with synchronized audio from natural language or images.

4K
Max resolution
Native
Synchronized audio
180°
Cinematic shutter angle
MP4
Output format
What's new

4 Breakthrough Capabilities

Sora 2 represents the "GPT-3.5 moment" for video generation, bringing capabilities that were exceptionally difficult or impossible for prior models.

01

Enhanced Physical Accuracy

Accurately simulate complex physical actions like Olympic gymnastics, buoyancy dynamics, and real-world physics. The model can model failure, not just success—if a basketball player misses, the ball rebounds naturally.

02

Native Audio Generation

Create sophisticated background soundscapes, speech, and sound effects with a high degree of realism. All audio is generated natively and synchronized perfectly with video content.

03

Characters Feature

Inject yourself or others into any Sora-generated environment with accurate portrayal of appearance and voice. Works for any human, animal, or object through a short one-time video recording.

04

Improved Controllability

Follow intricate instructions spanning multiple shots while accurately persisting world state. Excels at realistic, cinematic, and anime styles with unprecedented creative control.

Overview

Model at a glance

Sora 2 is OpenAI's flagship video and audio generation model, building on the foundation of the original Sora. This new model introduces capabilities that have been difficult for prior video models to achieve, representing a major leap forward in world simulation technology.

While the original Sora (February 2024) was the "GPT-1 moment" for video generation, Sora 2 represents the "GPT-3.5 moment"—bringing capabilities that are exceptionally difficult and in some instances outright impossible for prior models. It can handle Olympic gymnastics routines, backflips on paddleboards with accurate buoyancy physics, and triple axels while maintaining realistic object permanence.

Developer
OpenAI
Model Family
Sora
Modality
Video + Native Audio
Predecessor
Sora 1 (February 2024)
Max Resolution
4K
Output Format
MP4
Video Length
Variable (5s, 8s, etc.)
Versions
Sora 2, Sora 2 Pro
Access
Invite-based (US & Canada)
Capabilities

Key features

Text-to-Video Generation

Transform natural language descriptions into richly detailed, dynamic video clips with synchronized audio. Sora 2 brings deep understanding of 3D space, motion, and scene continuity to create videos that are both imaginative and grounded in real-world dynamics.

Image-to-Video Generation

Bring static images to life with motion and audio. Upload an image and Sora 2 will create a dynamic video that maintains the image's style while adding realistic movement, physics, and synchronized sound effects.

Characters (Cameos)

Inject yourself or others into any Sora-generated environment with remarkable fidelity. After a short one-time video and audio recording to verify identity and capture likeness, you can drop yourself straight into any Sora scene with accurate portrayal of appearance and voice.

Remix Feature

Create and remix each other's generations for collaborative creativity. Build on existing videos to create variations, explore different styles, or extend narratives. Perfect for co-creative experiences and social content creation.

Native Audio Generation

Create sophisticated background soundscapes, speech, and sound effects with a high degree of realism. All audio is generated natively and perfectly synchronized with video content, creating a complete audiovisual experience.

Enhanced Physical Accuracy

Accurately simulate complex physical actions and real-world dynamics. From Olympic gymnastics to buoyancy physics, Sora 2 obeys the laws of physics better than prior systems. It can even model failure—if a basketball player misses, the ball rebounds naturally.

World Simulation

Deep understanding of 3D space, motion, and scene continuity delivers realistic physics and coherent object permanence across a shot.

Multi-Style Support

Excels at realistic, cinematic, and anime styles with high fidelity, giving creators broad stylistic range from a single model.

Specs

Technical specifications

Video Output

Resolution720p, 1080p, 4K
Frame RateStandard Cinematic
Video LengthVariable (5s, 8s, etc.)
Output FormatMP4
Shutter180°

Audio

Native Audio GenerationYes — all audio generated natively
Audio TypesDialogue, Sound Effects, Ambient Noise, Background Soundscapes
Audio-Video SyncHigh-quality synchronized audio

Input Modes

Text-to-VideoSupported
Image-to-VideoSupported
StylesRealistic, Cinematic, Anime

Model Versions

Sora 2Speed & Flexibility — rapid iteration, concepting, social media, prototypes
Sora 2 ProQuality & Precision — production-quality, high-res cinematic, marketing assets

Access & Availability

PlatformsSora iOS app, sora.com
RolloutInvite-based (U.S. & Canada)
PricingFree with generous limits (initial)
APIPlanned
In practice

Use cases

Creative Content Production

Create short films, music videos, anime, and artistic projects with cinematic quality. Perfect for filmmakers, artists, and content creators who want to push creative boundaries without extensive production resources.

Marketing & Advertising

Generate product launch teasers, brand story videos, and marketing assets that rival agency work. Create 15-20 second ads for social media platforms with cinematic quality and synchronized audio.

Social Media Content

Create viral TikTok/Reels content, user-generated style videos, and creative shorts. Use the Characters feature to inject yourself into any scene for authentic, engaging social media content.

Education & Training

Create explainer videos, educational content, and training materials. Transform complex concepts into engaging visual narratives that enhance learning and retention.

Product Demonstrations

Showcase products in action, demonstrate features, and visualize use cases. Create compelling product videos without physical prototypes or extensive filming.

Gaming & Entertainment

Generate game cinematics, concept videos, and character animations. Accelerate game development with rapid prototyping and visualization of game worlds.

Generational leap

Sora 2 vs Sora 2 Pro

Two model tiers for different needs — speed and flexibility versus production-grade quality

FeatureSora 2Sora 2 ProNEW
FocusSpeed & FlexibilityQuality & Precision
Best ForRapid iteration, concepting, social media, prototypesProduction-quality, high-res cinematic, marketing assets
SpeedFasterSlower
CostLess expensiveMore expensive
AccessFree with generous limitsChatGPT Pro users
Honest look

Current limitations

Content Restrictions

Currently limited to content suitable for audiences under 18. Copyrighted characters, copyrighted music, and real people (including public figures) cannot be generated. Input images with human faces are currently rejected.

Asynchronous Processing

Video generation is an asynchronous process that typically takes several minutes. Generation time varies based on model selection (Sora 2 vs Sora 2 Pro), system load, and video complexity.

Access Limitations

Initial rollout is invite-based and limited to the U.S. and Canada, with plans to expand to additional countries. Access is subject to compute constraints and generous free limits.

Model Imperfections

While significantly improved, Sora 2 is far from perfect and still makes mistakes. However, it represents validation that further scaling up neural networks on video data will bring us closer to simulating reality.

Safety & Responsibility

OpenAI has implemented comprehensive safety measures including content moderation, likeness control, and iterative deployment. Users maintain full control over their Characters, and can revoke access or remove videos at any time.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Sora 2 and Sora 1?
Sora 2 represents the "GPT-3.5 moment" for video generation, while Sora 1 (February 2024) was the "GPT-1 moment." Key improvements include: enhanced physical accuracy (can simulate complex actions like Olympic gymnastics), native audio generation (dialogue, sound effects, ambient noise), Characters feature (inject yourself into scenes), Remix capability, and improved controllability across multiple shots.
How can I access Sora 2?
Sora 2 is available through the Sora iOS app and sora.com web platform. Initial rollout is invite-based in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to expand globally. Sign up in-app for a push notification when access opens. ChatGPT Pro users can access the experimental Sora 2 Pro model. API access is planned for the future.
What video lengths and resolutions does Sora 2 support?
Sora 2 supports multiple video lengths (e.g., 5 seconds, 8 seconds) and resolutions including 720p, 1080p, and 4K. The specific options depend on your use case and model version (Sora 2 vs Sora 2 Pro). All videos are output in MP4 format with professional cinematic quality.
What is the pricing for Sora 2?
Sora 2 is initially available for free with generous limits to allow people to freely explore its capabilities, though subject to compute constraints. Sora 2 is faster and less expensive, ideal for rapid iteration. Sora 2 Pro is slower and more expensive but produces higher quality output. ChatGPT Pro users have access to Sora 2 Pro. Future plans include an option to pay for extra video generation if demand exceeds available compute.
How does the Characters feature work?
The Characters feature allows you to inject yourself or others into any Sora-generated scene. After a short one-time video and audio recording in the app to verify your identity and capture your likeness, you can drop yourself into any Sora environment with remarkable fidelity. You maintain full control—only you decide who can use your character, and you can revoke access or remove any video containing it at any time.
What are Sora 2's content restrictions?
Currently, Sora 2 only generates content suitable for audiences under 18 (a setting to bypass this will be available in the future). The system rejects copyrighted characters, copyrighted music, and real people including public figures. Input images with human faces are currently rejected. These restrictions help ensure responsible deployment while the technology continues to evolve.

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