The Odyssey is still in cinemas — and the “free” streaming sites promising it online are a scam, Kaspersky warns. Researchers at the cybersecurity firm have found fake viewing websites in multiple languages, each one built around the film’s extraordinary popularity and each one ending the same way: a sign-up form that asks for banking details.
The pages promise free access to the movie, often in a dubbed version of the visitor’s own language. Fake reviews and star ratings sit next to the player, left by “users” who supposedly already watched it. Hit play and a fake player appears, asking you to register to “continue to watch for free”.
Registration starts with an email address, first name and last name. Later steps want a password and banking details, presented as activating a “free trial” — credential theft if the password is reused anywhere else, and possible financial loss.
The sites promise unlimited access, claim sign-up takes about a minute, and offer viewing across multiple devices. The whole funnel runs in one language: the victim’s.
“We often see scammers seeking to profit from high-profile premieres such as Odyssey, exploiting the excitement and loyalty of fans eagerly awaiting major releases. Users should be particularly cautious if a film that has only just been released and is still showing in theaters suddenly appears on an unfamiliar or suspicious-looking platform. We strongly encourage people to access content only through official services in order to protect their personal data and avoid potential financial losses, and steer clear of what may turn out to be a Trojan horse,” says Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.
The Odyssey has already passed $1 billion at the box office, and the full film leaked on X before its release — the audience for “free” copies is proven. The Guardian published the same warning over the weekend.
How to avoid the fake Odyssey streaming sites
Kaspersky’s advice is short and boring. Check the URL and the company name spelling before entering anything. Use a prepaid card or a dedicated payment service rather than a main card, and turn on two-factor authentication.
If a site asks for banking details to “activate” a free trial, close the tab — no legitimate service works that way.
What it means for the UAE
In the UAE, The Odyssey is still showing on cinema screens — that alone makes any “free stream” offer suspect. The scam sites pick their language by the visitor’s location, so Arabic speakers get Arabic versions of the same funnel.
If it promises a free stream of a film still in theatres, it is the scam. Stick to official services: cinemas now, and the legitimate digital release whenever it lands.
Is The Odyssey available to stream for free?
No — the film is still in cinemas and has no official free stream. Sites promising one are scams that collect personal and banking details.
How do the fake Odyssey streaming sites work?
They show a fake video player and ask you to register to ‘continue watching’, then request a password and banking details under the guise of activating a free trial.
What should I do if I entered my bank details on a scam site?
Contact your bank immediately, change any reused passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and review your statements for unauthorised activity.
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