This year’s San Diego Comic-Con was a massive return to form, packed wall to wall with panels, surprise guests, first looks, and the kind of unhinged fan energy you can only find when tens of thousands of nerds descend upon the Gaslamp Quarter all at once. With the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of last year firmly in the rearview, Hollywood came back in full force - and they brought plenty to show off. Whether it was long-awaited trailers, huge franchise announcements, or completely surreal meta-stunts, SDCC 2025 delivered the goods and then some.
Some of the buzziest events from the weekend made headlines the moment they happened, while others are still being dissected by fans on every platform imaginable. From the future of DC superheroes and zombie-infested France to galaxies far, far away, here are the standout moments from this year’s SDCC that had everyone talking.
Coyote vs. Acme Hijacks Comic-Con
Easily the most chaotic and hilarious panel of the weekend, Coyote vs. Acme returned from the grave in full meta form. Staged entirely in character, the panel saw cast and creatives fighting back against a group of fake “Acme executives” attempting to shut the event down in real time. What followed was a raucous, sharply funny takedown of studio decision-making and a heartfelt celebration of creative perseverance. Even though the film remains unreleased until over a year from now, the love and excitement for it - both onstage and off - was louder than an Acme anvil.
Predator: Badlands Roars to Life
Dan Trachtenberg returned to SDCC with a vengeance, unveiling the first real details about Predator: Badlands, the upcoming spiritual sequel to Prey. The upcoming film flips the franchise's concept on its head and puts the legendary alien hunter in a fight for survival; turning predator into prey. Concept art and an intense teaser sizzle reel got fans buzzing, with many calling it one of the most promising franchise entries yet. With the addition of Thia, an android from the world of Alien, assisting the young Predator on his journey, the future for another franchise crossover looks more than promising. Trachtenberg’s passion for reinvention was on full display - this is shaping up to be a blood-soaked showdown worth the wait.
The Toxic Avenger Is Back and Grosser Than Ever
Legendary sleazemeister Troma brought down the house with a gloriously disgusting first look at their long, long awaited reboot of The Toxic Avenger. Director Macon Blair, joined by cast members Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood, leaned all the way into the gore and satire, promising a movie that doesn’t pull any punches. The panel was rowdy, ridiculous, and perfectly on-brand, complete with free buckets of “toxic slime” handed out to fans. Toxie’s return to Comic-Con felt like a mutant homecoming - and the crowd was loving it.
Tron: Ares Powers Up
Disney's Tron: Ares panel stunned attendees with a sleek new trailer that showcased a bold new direction for the franchise. Jared Leto, director Joachim Rønning and producers teased a massive, action-packed story set both inside and outside the Grid. The visual effects were predictably jaw-dropping, and Daft Punk’s legacy loomed large with new electronically-propelled music composed by none other than Nine Inch Nails. After years in limbo, Tron feels alive again, and bigger than ever.
Peacemaker Season 2 Brings the Mayhem
James Gunn might be juggling Superman and wider DC Studios duties, but he still made time to unleash the first chaotic teaser for Peacemaker Season 2. Returning cast members shared a handful of behind-the-scenes anecdotes (including one about an unscripted chainsaw incident), while Gunn promised even more absurd violence and surprisingly touching character moments. Cena, in costume as always, closed out the panel by leading the crowd in a thunderous dance-along to Wig Wam’s “Do Ya Wanna Taste It” - a SDCC tradition at this point.
George Lucas Makes His Comic-Con Debut
In a moment that immediately went viral, George Lucas made his first official SDCC appearance to thunderous applause and more than a few tears. The Star Wars creator surprised attendees during a panel for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a project he described as “the culmination of a lifetime of storytelling.” Lucas spoke passionately about the importance of visual storytelling across mediums and left fans floored with a retrospective reel that included rare archival footage. A true Comic-Con moment for the ages.
IT: Welcome to Derry Unleashes a New Chilling Teaser
The first footage from HBO’s IT prequel Welcome to Derry dropped during a moody and terrifying panel that hinted at the show’s ambition. Series creators teased a deep dive into Pennywise’s mythos and the town’s long history of horror. The teaser was short but effective - balloons, blood, and a new ensemble of doomed kids - enough to leave the audience disturbed and wanting more. Bill Skarsgård’s return as the iconic horrifying clown remains the real draw here, but Derry’s legacy of fear is in full swing.
Project Hail Mary Aims for the Stars
Ryan Gosling and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller made an unlikely but delightful trio during Amazon’s Project Hail Mary panel, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of next year’s biggest and most anticipated sci-fi films. Based on Andy Weir’s bestseller, the film follows a lone astronaut racing to save Earth - and the panel emphasized its blend of heart, humor, and interstellar thrills. Early footage hinted at an emotional core beneath the spectacle, with Gosling’s performance earning early praise.
The Long Walk Gets Adapted at Last
After years of development hell, The Long Walk, based on one of Stephen King’s earliest dystopian novels, finally made its SDCC debut. The panel featured director Francis Lawrence, Mark Hamill, and rising star David Jonsson, who teased a haunting and stripped-down adaptation of one of King’s most psychologically brutal works. Stark visuals and a harrowing tone were emphasized in the exclusive teaser, which ended with audible gasps. King fans may have finally gotten their dream version of one of his simplest yet most unsettling stories.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Prepares for the End
The Daryl Dixon spin-off is heading toward its fourth and final season, and the SDCC panel confirmed that Norman Reedus’ long-running walker slayer will get a proper sendoff. Teaser footage for the upcoming third season showed Daryl bloodied and battle-worn, with a more personal mission in mind. Fans were emotional about the end of his journey is at hand, and showrunners teased big surprises, returning characters, and one last epic zombie set piece. After over a decade, The Walking Dead might actually be finding a graceful exit.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Returns in a Big Way
The Avatar: The Last Airbender panel had fans buzzing with updates on not just one, but two major new projects: the upcoming Aang-centric animated feature film, and the newly announced sequel series Avatar: Seven Havens. Creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino returned to tease both projects, which will further expand the world of bending in bold new directions. Concept art, voice cast details, and a brief animatic had fans on their feet - this franchise isn’t just back, it’s thriving.
