Universal responds after 'The Odyssey' leaks spread across social media

Universal Pictures responds to 'The Odyssey' piracy leaks after Christopher Nolan’s film spreads across social media

Universal Pictures has responded to the online leaks of Christopher Nolan’s latest film The Odyssey after pirated copies of the blockbuster began circulating on social media shortly after its theatrical release.

The highly anticipated epic, which arrived in cinemas on July 17, has faced multiple piracy incidents on X, where unauthorised versions of the film were uploaded and shared by users. A lower-quality copy reportedly appeared on the platform and gained nearly 50,000 views before being removed following a copyright complaint.

A separate, higher-quality bootleg of The Odyssey also spread widely on X, reportedly gaining millions of views before the post was taken down and the account behind it was suspended.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures confirmed that it had taken action against the leaks. “We became aware of the unauthorized posting of the film and immediately initiated takedown protocols,” the studio said, adding that it would pursue appropriate measures to protect its intellectual property.

Film piracy remains a major challenge for Hollywood studios, especially for large-scale releases with global fan interest. Studios often prepare for potential leaks by monitoring online platforms and requesting the removal of unauthorised content.

Despite the piracy concerns, The Odyssey continues to perform strongly at the box office. The Christopher Nolan-directed movie has surpassed $600 million globally, maintaining its position as one of the biggest releases of 2026.

Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey follows King Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he attempts to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The film features a star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o.

While Universal continues its efforts to remove leaked copies online, the film’s theatrical success shows strong audience demand despite the piracy attempts.