Last year finally felt like a return to the Hall H of old. After years plagued by Covid and strikes, we got the big, splashy Hall H panels that we remembered. So we’re expecting more of the same in 2025, with more big moments.
Every year, the team at The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog takes a look at the upcoming theatrical release schedule, and gives our best guesses and predictions for which films might be filling Hall H come July. So join us again this year, to see what you just might have to get excited about this summer.
Join us again next week, as we look at the TV shows we think might be heading to Comic-Con this year.
With all that said, let’s look at the possibilities:
Marvel Studios
The Fantastic Four: First Steps — July 25, 2025
Avengers: Doomsday — May 1, 2026
Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026
etc.
Marvel has a problem this year — which is that they went so hard at the con in 2024, giving fans a premiere screening of Deadpool & Wolverine as well as one of the biggest announcements they’ve ever made (Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, of course), that now attendees expect the same level of awesome in 2025. But we think Marvel knows that, and is planning for it. After all, last year Kevin Feige said, “We build movie schedules often times… literally designing our film schedules around what we would have ready to show at Comic-Con.”
So with that in mind, that July 25 date for The Fantastic Four: First Steps sure seems primed for another Hall H premiere screening, does it not?
As for the regular Hall H panel, Marvel has a ton they could tease this year, including on the TV front. On the film side, we know very little about Avengers: Doomsday aside from some of the cast list (though it’s an impressive list, to be sure). There’s also plenty they could tease ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which I’m very much hoping is the 2026 Hall H screening. Let’s just make this an annual thing, Marvel.
Last year, Marvel won all of San Diego Comic-Con — and so long as they’ve got things to show off, they’ve never missed an opportunity to do so. And I definitely think they’ve got the goods to give fans this year.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow — June 26, 2026
With James Gunn’s Superman set to release on July 11, just weeks ahead of the convention, we’re not expecting to see anything for that film at the con — and Gunn himself has already said there “aren’t any major plans” to be at San Diego Comic-Con this year. That makes sense, as the next film on the DC slate is Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which doesn’t release until June of 2026, eleven months after this year’s convention. While we miss DC at the con as well, the timing just doesn’t seem to work out for this one.
Mortal Kombat 2 — October 24, 2025
If Warner Bros. has a panel at all this year, I think that honor goes to Mortal Kombat 2, a sequel to the 2021 film. This version features Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, and Mehcad Brooks, as well as Karl Urban playing Johnny Cage. With the October 24 release date relatively close to the con, the fact that the film is based on the beloved video game franchise, and the star power of Urban, it might just be enough to tip it into attending the con. But Warner Bros. couldn’t even be bothered to turn up for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice last year, so it’s far from a lock.
Animal Friends — October 10, 2025
Perhaps more so than any other major studio, Warner Bros. has a long history of promoting family-friendly fare at the convention. Animal Friends — not to be confused with Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm, based on the George Orwell novel — is a live-action/animation hybrid, in which two animals become unlikely friends. It features a very Hall H-friendly cast, with Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, and more. If Warner Bros. is making the trek to the hallowed halls of Comic-Con, this feels like exactly the kind of film they would bring along for the ride.
Weapons — August 8, 2025
In the olden days, this feels like the kind of thing Warner Bros. would have had some kind of a presence for, even if not a panel — we miss ScareDiego. These days, it’s more of a toss up. Still, Weapons, Zach Cregger (Barbarian)’s upcoming mystery horror film starring Julia Garner as the teacher of a classroom whose 17 students mysteriously disappear overnight, releases close enough to the con (August 8) that at least an early screening or a street team feel like a real possibility. We could even see this getting a smaller panel in 6A or 6BCF, with stars Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Benedict Wong in tow.
The Conjuring: Last Rites — September 5, 2025
While none of The Conjuring Universe films have ever gotten a huge push at San Diego Comic-Con (though I loved the street team for The Nun a few years back!), never say never. The Conjuring films feel much scarier than the traditional sort of films Warner Bros. brings, so I’m going to call this a very long shot. But the franchise is beloved (even ignoring the lackluster The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), and Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson would certainly get Hall H fans excited.
The Bride! — March 6, 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal is taking the classic tale of Frankenstein (and the 1935 film The Bride of Frankenstein) and reimagining it as a musical set in 1930s Chicago. The upcoming film stars Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening, and Julianna Hough. All of that combined sounds like it might be too much pedigree for Comic-Con. After all, Gyllenhaal is far more known for her indie arthouse darlings than the popcorn films studios tend to favor for Comic-Con. But Warner Bros. may be looking to attract a different crowd, and as there’s been no trailer to give much away about the tone of the film, it’s hard to say which way this film leans — so again, it’s a possibility, at least. The March 6 release date is pretty far off, though.
20th Century Studios
Predator: Badlands — November 7, 2025
The Predator franchise has been a consistent performer at San Diego Comic-Con, with the 2018 The Predator film getting a Hall H panel, and Hulu and Collider splashing out for a Prey party and screening just three years ago. Because of that, there’s every reason to think we could see Predator: Badlands, the latest installment in the franchise directed and co-written by Prey helmer Dan Trachtenberg, at the con this summer. The new film stars Elle Fanning, who certainly has some star power, and with the release date just a few short months after the con, I think this one is a lock.
Avatar: Fire and Ash — December 19, 2025
It’s been a very long time since James Cameron screened the first 25 minutes of the first Avatar film (16 years, in fact) — and while I have my doubts that 20th Century Studios will bring the upcoming third film in the franchise (after all, they skipped bringing the second film), it’s not impossible. Showing off some of Avatar‘s impressive visuals would blow the socks off the Hall H crowd, but does 20th Century need Comic-Con to get more butts in chairs for the biggest franchise ever? I just don’t think so.
Dreamworks Animation
The Bad Guys 2 — August 1, 2025
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie — September 26, 2025
I won’t lie — I was surprised when Dreamworks Animation, who had skipped for several years, returned to the con last year — for The Wild Robot (the single best film of 2024, in my humble opinion). Now, it was only Room 6BCF, but the fact that they turned up at all brought me a lot of joy. Could we see a repeat in 2025? I was wrong on the odds last year, so I’ll just say: Anything is possible.
This year, Dreamworks has two contenders I think stand a chance. The first, Bad Guys 2, is a fun animated heist film, with a lot of talent they could pull from for a panel, including Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Danielle Brooks (who may already be in town for Peacemaker), Natasha Lyonne, Maria Bakalova, Zazie Beetz, and Richard Ayoade. Phew.
Outside of that, there’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie. The upcoming animated musical fantasy stars Kristen Wiig and Gloria Estefan, both of which could get audiences excited. I suspect this one skews a bit too young for the con, though.
Lionsgate
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — November 14, 2025
Let’s start with the bad news: I suspect Lionsgate might sit this year out. They went hard last year for both Badlands and The Crow, and neither saw much box office success. They’ve also got less obvious genre fare on their roster this year compared to the previous years. If they do decide to come though, if I were Lionsgate, I would be bringing Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. It’s been 9 years since the last installment in the franchise, which means audiences could use a refresh, and the films are fun enough (and with enough big names) that they could really get creative with both promotional tie-ins and a panel at the con. But Lionsgate has also never really promoted the films at the con (unless we count some promo playing cards?!), so this one feels like more of a longshot. But look, Lionsgate, I would love if you would prove me wrong. Let’s add a little magic to this year’s festivities.
Good Fortune — October 17, 2025
They’ve also got Good Fortune, an upcoming comedy in which Keanu Reeves is a “budget guardian angel” who swaps the lives of down-on-his-luck Aziz Ansari and wealthy socialite Seth Rogen. Lionsgate has never really gone big on its comedies at the con, but Reeves is beloved at the con, and the guardian angel angle gives it a slight genre feel. With a great cast, it would be our good fortune if Lionsgate brought this to Comic-Con.
The Long Walk — September 12, 2025
Lionsgate is one of the few studios that hasn’t shied away from bringing horror to the Hall H stage. They’ve got a few options for 2025, starting with The Long Walk. Based on the 1979 Stephen King novel of the same name, it’s set in a dystopian world in which 100 men must walk at a set pace in a televised event, or be killed. The film stars Mark Hamill and Cooper Hoffman — and Hamill is certainly a big enough draw for a panel by himself. On the flip side, while this is based on a King novel, it’s not one of his best-known works, so this may not have enough of a hook for the con.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 — September 26, 2025
Lionsgate tends to prioritize their action fare over their horror, but the upcoming The Strangers: Chapter 2 releases on September 26, which might just put it close enough to San Diego Comic-Con to make an exception. The film is the second in the new installment of The Strangers trilogy, and while the first fell outside of SDCC promo time (it released in May), there’s some hope for the second film. There aren’t any huge names to go with this one, though, which can be crucial to getting attendees interested when it comes to Hall H.
Netflix
Frankenstein — November 2025
After Netflix brought The Gray Man to San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, anything feels possible now — even if not likely. For years, Netflix notoriously skimped on the convention, but these days, they tend to focus on a few releases happening very close to the con. Unfortunately, for the upcoming Gullermo del Toro take on the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein isn’t releasing until November, which just feels too far off. Honestly, if Netflix shows up at all, I think it will be on the TV side.
Paramount Pictures
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants — December 19, 2025
Frankly, I will be shocked if this movie doesn’t get a panel. Paramount went huge on SpongeBob for 2024 (a hotel wrap! a fountain!), so there’s little reason to think they won’t do the same again for 2025, with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. The Comic-Con crowd always turns up for good ol’ SpongeBob, and Paramount knows it, and always delivers fun panels with lots of fun surprises. If an interactive “find SpongeBob” street activation isn’t already in the works than shame on Paramount.
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender — January 30, 2026
Look, we already know Paramount is doing something for the world of Avatar and its 20th anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con this year. What exactly that looks like though — whether it’s a big 20th anniversary panel that includes the animated film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, the upcoming TV series Avatar: Seven Havens, and possibly more; or if those things get their own individual panels, we don’t know. Or it could even just mean a section of The Lodge!
But I think Paramount won’t miss the chance to do some kind of promo for the upcoming theatrical film, to an audience that has proven its loyalty to the franchise, even with the film not releasing until early 2026. Some of that promo may depend on the availability of its stars, which include Dave Bautista, Eric Nam, Jessica Matten, and Steven Yeun — but if Paramount can round up that cast, I’ve got high hopes for this one.
The Naked Gun — August 1, 2025
Hear me out. The upcoming addition to The Naked Gun franchise, in which Liam Neeson portrays Leslie Nielsen’s character’s son, may not be the first thing you think of when brainstorming possible movies to attend San Diego Comic-Con this year. But The Naked Gun films are fan favorite cult classics, and Neeson feels like he could still draw a decent portion of the audience to Hall H. Do I think this is likely? Surely not — but it is possible, and don’t call us Shirley!
The Running Man — November 7, 2025
Based on the 1982 Stephen King novel, The Running Man is the story of a game show in which people are chased by murderous hunters across the world in an effort to win money. Paramount has leaned more towards its family-friendly fare at the con for the last few years, but with its Stephen King pedigree and a stacked cast that also includes Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, and Colman Domingo — this one could definitely squeak in.
Sony
Anaconda — December 25, 2025
Sony hasn’t been to San Diego Comic-Con in a long time (since 2018, to be exact), typically choosing New York Comic Con over SDCC. I doubt that’s changing in 2025, but if it does, they’ve got Anaconda ready to sink its fangs into the Hall H crowd. The upcoming comedy horror film reimagines the 1997 cult classic, with the new iteration starring Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton, and Steve Zahn. Those are some big names, and would make for a fun panel, but I think the December 25 release date puts it a bit too far outside of the con.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues — September 12, 2025
Look, you get Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer up on a stage, possibly even in character? It would be a Comic-Con moment for the ages, turned up to eleven. But the upcoming mockumentary sequel feels like it’s aimed at an older audience than Sony likely thinks Comic-Con attracts (rightly or wrongly). But man, I’d love something for this at the con. Bring some tiny Stonehenges and set them up on the grass somewhere, Sony. We’d eat that shit up.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey — September 19, 2025
There’s not a lot known about A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, the upcoming romantic fantasy film starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell about a pair of strangers and the unimaginable journey that ties them together. When Sony has shown up, it’s always been for genre fare, and I’m just not sure how much the “fantasy” element plays in here.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — January 16, 2026
Even more of a long shot is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. While the second installment will be hitting cinema screens in June, the third film in the series (shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later) stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, and Emma Laird. Little is known about the film, which in ye olden days would have made San Diego a great place to tease more, but I just don’t see Sony returning to the con this year.
Troma
The Toxic Avenger — August 29, 2025
This is a bit of an odd one. The Toxic Avenger, a reboot of the Lloyd Kaufman 1984 film, originally screened at Fantastic Fest all the way back in September of 2023. Since then, it’s been in search of a distributor — but it finally found one with Cineverse and Iconic Events Releasing, and the film is set to release this fall. Kaufman and his Troma Entertainment are no strangers to San Diego Comic-Con, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a much bigger push this year for the film, especially given it stars some very big names, including Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, and Jacob Tremblay. I’m almost positive it will get something at the con, even if it’s just as a portion of a general Troma Entertainment panel, but could we see something on a larger, grander, and grosser scale? We’re keeping our eyes on this one.
Universal Pictures
HIM — September 19, 2025
While Universal skipped on a Hall H panel last year, they did offer an early screening for Speak No Evil — and I could see that honor in 2025 going to HIM, the upcoming sports horror film about a promising young football player who becomes the protégé of a legendary almost-retired quarterback, and is invited to his “inner sanctum” of fame, desire, power, and the pursuit of excellence. It stars Marlon Wayans, and comes out almost the same time as Speak No Evil came out last year… so while I think this likely won’t be gracing the Hall H stage, a screening definitely feels like a possibility.
Black Phone 2 — October 17, 2025
If Universal wants to offer something a little more well-known, there’s also Black Phone 2, by Scott Derrickson. The sequel to the 2021 film sees Ethan Hawke return as The Grabber — and this actually feels like it could get either a panel or a screening. However, it’s a hotly anticipated film, and will Universal and Blumhouse want to screen it almost three months early? I have my doubts.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 — December 5, 2025
I was gobsmacked when Universal skipped any promotion for Five Nights at Freddy’s back in 2023, and that was with an earlier release in the calendar year (October). With a December date, I think they’ll skip the convention entirely again, unless they opt to do some sort of larger Universal/Blumhouse horror panel combining several projects. But man, this would kill at the con.
SOULM8TE — January 2, 2026
Again, the only way this is turning up is if Universal decides to offer a larger horror panel promoting several of their films. Otherwise, SOULM8TE — a spin-off of M3GAN, about a man who purchases an android to cope with the death of his wife — is staying powered off this con. They’ve just got too many other options, opening earlier.
Wicked: For Good — November 21, 2025
Look, I’m not saying miracles never happen — Elphaba did defy gravity, after all — but when it comes to the odds of Wicked: For Good making an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this year? Let’s just say, I’m not exactly “dancing through life” with optimism. The first Wicked film didn’t attend Comic-Con. No Hall H, no offsite, nary a flying monkey in sight. And honestly, they didn’t need it. Wicked is already a pop cultural juggernaut: it’s got legions of fans who would follow it straight to the Emerald City and back. Universal knows it. We know it. The marketing machine doesn’t need SDCC to get people hyped. Still… I can dream, right?
Walt Disney Studios
Tron: Ares — October 10, 2025
It’s been a long time since Walt Disney Studios brought one of their films to Hall H (over a decade, in fact), and that trend doesn’t feel likely to change. But if it was going to change… Tron: Ares feels like the film to do it. After all, Disney brought fans “Flynn’s Arcade“, one of the best offsites the con has ever had, all the way back in 2009. And they have been known to still do some promo occasionally, like the super fun Hitchhiking Ghosts and surprise pop-up offsite we got for The Haunted Mansion two years ago. So we would love to see something — whether it’s a panel, an offsite, or something else — for Tron: Ares. The film, the third in the Tron series, stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, Gillian Anderson, and — of course — Jeff Bridges. That’s a hugely stacked cast, and Disney would have plenty of cast members to choose from if they did opt for a panel. Personally, I think an offsite is more likely though… and I’m okay with that. More than okay. So please, Disney?
Join us again next week, as we look at the TV shows we think might be heading to Comic-Con this year.
