Comic-Con International returns to San Diego on Thursday, welcoming tens of thousands of pop culture fans—many dressed in elaborate costumes—for four days of immersive events, exhibits, and sneak peeks. This year’s convention highlights include major updates on the Predator and Alien franchises and a highly anticipated appearance by Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Roughly 135,000 attendees are expected at this year’s convention, where Lucas will make his first-ever Comic-Con appearance. He’s scheduled to appear on Sunday to talk about the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a new cultural institution set to open in Los Angeles next year.
Fans of Predator and Alien are in for a treat. Elle Fanning, the star of the upcoming film Predator: Badlands, will appear on stage at Hall H to discuss the movie. Meanwhile, FX will spotlight Alien: Earth, a new series premiering next month that brings the deadly Xenomorphs to Earth for the first time. The show will also be promoted with an immersive, nighttime attraction in San Diego—featuring a full-scale replica of a spacecraft from the series and a chilling interactive mission.
While the sci-fi genre is taking center stage this year, two major players in the superhero world—Marvel and DC—will be absent from the film slate lineup. Fans hoping for updates on Marvel’s next wave of movies or DC’s rebooted Superman franchise will have to wait, as both studios have opted not to present their upcoming films at Comic-Con 2025.
Still, Marvel will maintain a presence at the convention with a special off-site experience called Fantastic Four: First Steps, coinciding with the latest theatrical reboot of the iconic superhero team, set to hit theaters on Friday.
Inside the massive 460,000-square-foot exhibitor hall, early attendees have already begun exploring exclusive merchandise, rare comic art, and displays from powerhouse brands including Star Wars, Lego, Nickelodeon, Paramount, and others.
As the convention continues, fans can expect more announcements, experiences, and surprises celebrating the full spectrum of fandom—from comics and sci-fi to animation and film.
Also Read:
Connie Francis, Singer of Hits Like ‘Who’s Sorry Now?’ and ‘Pretty Little Baby,’ Dies at 87
HBO Starts Filming Harry Potter Series, Reveals First Look at Lead Character
