Sony Pictures unreleased movies leaked online following cyber attack

Over the Thanksgiving weekend five films distributed by Sony Pictures leaked online following a reported cyber-attack on the company.

Among the titles is a remake of classic film Annie, which is not due for release until December 19.

Sony Pictures was reported to have shut down its internal systems last week due to an “IT matter”.

Some have linked the cyber-attack to forthcoming film The Interview, Sony’s comedy about North Korea.

That film does not appear to have been leaked.

However, reports say other high-profile titles have been circulated. Among them Fury, starring Brad Pitt, which was in cinemas in October but is yet to be made available on DVD.

According to research firm Excipio, Mr. Turner, Still Alice and To Write Love on Her Arms are also being distributed and downloaded.

Sony has not confirmed the authenticity of the leak, but was quoted in Variety magazine as saying: “The theft of Sony Pictures Entertainment content is a criminal matter, and we are working closely with law enforcement to address it.”

Little is known about the breach of Sony’s systems last month.

A group calling itself the Guardians of Peace – #GOP – claimed responsibility.

Some reports said some computers of Sony employees displayed a picture of a skeleton, threatening to release large amounts of data from the company.

The early leak of films is considered, by the film industry, to have a devastating effect on the potential success of a title.