Comic-Con International is one of the biggest pop-culture events in the world, taking over the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-26.
Not everyone is lucky enough to score badges, and even those who attend can’t always get into the major panels if they’re not willing to camp out overnight. The news that comes from the annual convention will make waves in the entertainment industry for the year to come.
Star Wars Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion walk through Comic-Con International on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. The 501st Legion is an international fan-based organization dedicated to Star Wars costuming. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego Trolley at Nobel Station
(Jan Wagner)
.Cara Routh of Fallbrook dressed in cosplay as Harley Quinn at Comic-Con International on July 24, 2025 in San Diego, California. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
People attend attend Comic-Con International on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Bugs Mitchell of Westminster strikes a pose as the Joker at Comic-Con 2025, which takes place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Several downtown San Diego buildings were wrapped with advertisements, including “The Vampire Lestat”, for Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
People thumb through comics during day 3 of the 2025 Comic-Con International convention at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
People attend attend Comic-Con International on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Ayla Fox, portraying Princess Leia from Star Wars is escorted by Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion through Comic-Con International on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. The 501st Legion is an international fan-based organization dedicated to Star Wars costuming. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Thousands wander the exhibit hall during day 3 of the 2025 Comic-Con International convention at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Michael Taeza checks their phone during day 3 of the 2025 Comic-Con International convention at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Dalton Roderick looks over at comics on display during day 3 of the 2025 Comic-Con International convention at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Hundreds get a closer look at a Lego display of the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con International, which returns July 22-26 at the San Diego Convention Center. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Rachel Pizzolato of New Orleans cosplayed as Wonder Woman during Comic-Con 2025 on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Petco Park Interactive Zone opens during Comic-Con to bring fans together with various video games, TV shows and other media. (David Bohnet / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Andrea Seale (l) of Burbank, Jason Baxter and Kat Baxter (r) of Orange County cosplaying, Phineas, Ezra and Gus at Comic-Con 2025 on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Star Wars Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion walk through Comic-Con International on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. The 501st Legion is an international fan-based organization dedicated to Star Wars costuming. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Hall H — the largest room at the convention center, which can hold up to 6,500 people — will host the star-studded panels, including the return of Marvel Studios this year. The massive hall, along with Ballroom 20, will also see film and TV panels from A24, Amazon, Apple, Disney, DreamWorks, HBO, NEON, Paramount and more.
Marvel generally releases little about what fans can expect from its Saturday, July 25, panel besides the fact that president Kevin Feige will welcome guests from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. More than likely, fans will get a first look at “Avengers: Doomsday” along with other upcoming releases and potentially a few surprise announcements.
Playing on the nostalgia that never ends at Comic-Con, there will also be several anniversaries celebrated, including “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Aliens,” “My Hero Academia,” “Grimm,” Archie Comics, “Dark Shadows,” “Metalocaypse,” “Jericho” and “Castle in the Sky.”
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which is scheduled to open Sept. 22 in Los Angeles, will head back to Hall H on Thursday to give a sneak peek into the new museum. Last year’s panel brought George Lucas and Guillermo del Toro to the stage.
“The art of visual storytelling is celebrated with an exclusive sneak peek inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, featuring the museum’s senior curator and head of film programs Ryan Linkof, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, and DC president, publisher, and CCO Jim Lee,” according to the Comic-Con programming schedule. “The panelists offer a first look at upcoming museum content and film programming, an exploration of narrative art, and the unexpected detours that have inspired George Lucas and generations of artists.”
Several comics, books, collectibles and video games panels will also take place over the four-day convention. Besides the panels, attendees will have access to the exhibit hall floor filled with vendors with every type of merchandise you can think of. Plus, fans will be able to take part in activations throughout nearby hotels and the Gaslamp District. Some of which are open to the public and not just Comic-Con badgeholders.
Day-to-day breakdown
If you go
What: Comic-Con International
When: Wednesday, July 22 through Sunday, July 26
Where: San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr. and surrounding areas