Aliens. Bumper cars. A Ferris wheel. Shaved ice. And the man behind the Force itself.
Those are just some of the attractions coming to downtown San Diego as the annual Comic-Con begins this week.
Officially known as
Comic-Con International 2025
, it has been called the largest pop culture convention in the world, and the 155,000 people expected at this year’s version wouldn’t disagree with that.
The event brings together A-list celebrities promoting their latest projects, a global press corps providing round-the-clock coverage and excited fans willing to wait hours in long lines just to experience the latest movie, show or interesting piece of fandom.
This year’s gathering runs from Thursday to Sunday with a preview night Wednesday. All the coveted badges for the event at the San Diego Convention Center have been sold out.
But there is still one way to get tickets, for the deep pocketed, or
really
committed. Fans who purchase a $1,900 Legend membership for the
Comic-Con Museum
in Balboa Park will get unlimited general admission to the museum for one year, plus one four-day pass and Preview Night badge to Comic-Con.
So, what to expect from this year’s version of Comic-Con?
The big screen
Among the big film properties expected to be in the spotlight at Comic-Con are at the latest story in the Predator universe,
Predator: Badlands
and the live action
Lilo & Stitch
movie.
Project Hail Mary
starring Ryan Gosling will get a Hall H presentation.
The film that started the summer blockbuster era,
Jaws
, will be celebrated on the 50th anniversary of its release.
Just announced! George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro (
@RealGDT
), & Doug Chiang will unite in Hall H at
@Comic_Con
to discuss the power of illustrated storytelling and share a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum. The incomparable
@IAMQUEENLATIFAH
moderates.
#SDCC
#SDCC2025
#LucasMuseum
pic.twitter.com/ntaWmcp3Ju
And the legendary creator behind the film that popularized fan conventions is also making an appearance.
Star Wars
director George Lucas is scheduled to make his first appearance at Comic-Con Sunday on a panel offering a sneak peek at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art that is scheduled to open in Los Angeles in 2026.
The small screen
As always, there will be dozens of panels and presentations on your favorite TV shows.
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The list includes two “Star Trek” shows, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy,” along with animated shows like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”
Some of the shows will have a large presence outside the convention center. For example, “Abbott Elementary” delighted fans last year by staging an outdoor carnival with games and rides. The hit television show returns this year with a block party that will include a Ferris Wheel overlooking San Diego Bay.
Meanwhile, a promotion for the reboot of the animated “King of the Hill” show, coming up on Hulu, will feature a backyard barbecue with games and photo opportunities. This will be located next to the back of the Convention Center near a parking lot.
A more frightening experience awaits fans at an activation for the upcoming show “Alien: Earth.” The FX show continues the “Alien” film saga, this time on our humble planet. A crashed spaceship with creatures will be located in front of the Hilton Bayfront.
Things to buy at Comic-Con
The floor of the convention center will be filled as usual with vendors selling toys, collectibles and other merchandise. Some items are exclusive to the convention and fans gather in long lines to nab the rarities.
This year’s list includes a D.C. “Beast Boy” figure and an animation cel of “Batman” or the “Joker” with a certificate of authenticity. There also will be pins, action figures, artwork and more.
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Outside the Con
Didn’t get a badge? No problem. You still can enjoy Comic-Con by visiting the many activations scattered throughout the Gaslamp. Outdoor activations usually welcome fans without badges.
This year we’ll see a “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” experience on Fifth Avenue and L Street.
Paramount is returning with The Lodge, a hub in the Gaslamp where fans can enjoy several interactive experiences for shows, including the “Star Trek” franchise, “Dexter: Resurrection” and an immersive experience in the “Mission: Impossible” world that will include a recreation of the iconic scene from the first film. Remember – when Tom Cruise was lowered into a high security room to obtain critical information?
And for those feeling a little overheated, an installation promoting
Lilo and Stitch
will serve free shaved ice daily. It will be in the Gaslamp, next to the Omni Hotel, where Sixth Avenue ends.
Finally, if it’s been a long day already and you need to get your frustrations out, do we have a place for you.
The streaming network Peacock will have a bumper car battle to promote the second season of their apocalyptic “Twisted Metal” show. Head to the lot at 450 Second Ave. to crash into other Con fans.
