The time is finally upon us. Yes, at this time next week, the world of pop culture will pull a Sauron and turn its eye to San Diego for Comic-Con 2026. For four straight days, everything you love about comics, movies, TV, games, toys, and more all gather under one roof to celebrate what has been and what will be. And once again, io9 will be on the scene.
This past weekend, Comic-Con revealed its full schedule of panels, and while it’s not quite as shockingly impressive as previous years, we still think there is a ton of potential for exciting news, releases, and more. Below, we rank the 15 panels we’re most excited for at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 (click here to see the entire schedule).
15. Inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The massive museum, co-founded by George Lucas, opens later this year in Los Angeles, and this panel promises to provide its most exciting news updates to date. Last year, Lucas himself showed up, and while he’s not scheduled this year, Seth Green and Jim Lee are. Which just speaks to how much bigger than Star Wars this is going to be.
When and where: 4:45 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Hall H
14. Collider’s Producers on Producing
Collider is hosting a number of big movie panels this year, and this one, focusing on producing, has one very intriguing guest. Simon Kinberg, who produced The Martian, Logan, Star Wars Rebels, and more, is on the panel along with horror masters Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. Kinberg, though, is also currently writing the next Star Wars trilogy. And even though he won’t say anything about that, we’re even interested to see what he doesn’t say.
When and where: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Ballroom 20
13. Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey
The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. Brad Bird has had an incredible run as a director. His next film, Ray Gunn, is coming to Netflix later this year, and this panel will focus on that as well as some of his classics.
When and where: 6 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Hall H
12. The Vampire Lestat
I myself am not a huge fan of the AMC Anne Rice universe, but you’d be blind not to know how big it is. And, even if you didn’t, the fact that the latest season of its show has a flipping Hall H panel should be proof enough.
When and where: 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, Hall H
11. The 20th Anniversary of Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth
Compared to other years, Comic-Con 2026 is a little short on brand-new movies. It makes up for that, however, in restrospectives on classic movies, and this panel, featuring Guillermo del Toro himself, is one of the coolest.
When and where: 5:15 p.m., Friday, July 24, Hall H
10. Aliens 40: The 40th Anniversary of One of the Best Sequels Ever Made!
As we said, there are several awesome tribute panels at Comic-Con this year. And though Sigourney Weaver and James Cameron won’t be in town to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Aliens, Michael Biehn, Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, and Ricco Ross will be. Plus, they’re doing daily autograph sessions.
When and where: 5:30 pm, Thursday, July 23, Room 6A
9. Onslaught
A surprising addition to the Comic-Con lineup this year is A24’s new sci-fi action film from director Adam Wingard, starring Adria Arjona. She’ll be there, along with co-stars Drew Starkey, Rebecca Hall, and Dan Stevens, all with Kevin Smith moderating.
When and where: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Ballroom 20
8. Star Trek Universe
What’s happening in the world of Star Trek? Well, this panel, which will primarily focus on the new season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as well as the 60th anniversary of the franchise itself, will tell you. Among the legacy guests are Michael Dorn, Robert Picardo, Connor Trinneer, Cirroc Lofton, Doug Jones, Michelle Hurd, Jerry O’Connell, Christina Chong, Karim Diané, and the one and only George Takei. Oh, my.
When and where: 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25, Hall H
7. Marvel’s Wolverine: Deep Cuts
Anyone chomping on your cigar in anticipation of playing the brand-new Wolverine video game? If so, this panel should be enough to hold you over until it’s released later this year.
When and where: 11:15 a.m., Thursday, July 23, Hall H
6. Collider’s Directors on Directing
While there is no panel for Sony’s upcoming Resident Evil film at Comic-Con this year, that film’s writer and director, Zach Cregger, will be on this panel to talk about directing. You can be sure Resident Evil will come up. Also? Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the team behind the upcoming Mayday, as well as Dungeons and Dragons and Game Night, will join him. Aren’t they working on the next Star Trek movie too?
When and where: 3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Hall H
5. Blade Runner 2099 and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Amazon is back in San Diego this year with a few panels, one of which focuses on its two massive geek properties coming to streaming. The cast and crew behind the third season of the Lord of the Rings show will be on hand, as well as the upcoming Blade Runner show starring Michelle Yeoh, set after the events of the two films.
When and where: 10 a.m., Friday, July 24, Hall H
4. Lanterns
DC Studios won’t be at Comic-Con as a larger entity this year, with James Gunn shooting Man of Tomorrow and Matt Reeves shooting The Batman Part II. But the next part of the story, following Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) investigating cosmic crimes on Earth, will be along with co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King.
When and where: 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, Hall H
3. Apple TV
No, it’s not some big keynote. No iPhone news here. Just a massive, two-hour panel about all the big stuff coming soon for Apple TV. That means movies like Mayday and Matchbox, but also shows like Silo (currently in its third season).
When and where: 2 p.m., Saturday, July 25, Hall H
2. Marvel Studios
Shocker! Marvel Studios comes in at number two on our list. And, mostly, we did it because you made it this far and deserved a little curveball. Obviously, the Marvel Studios Hall H panel is the largest and most anticipated panel of the entire con. It always is. Kevin Feige is sure to debut the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, maybe bring out the cast, maybe talk Secret Wars, maybe something about the X-Men, we don’t know. All we do know is it’s going to be epic because it’s epic every year. Number one is something that isn’t every year. In fact, it’s 40 years in the making…
When and where: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25, Hall H
1. Spaceballs: The Comic-Con Panel
Ever since 1987, fans have wondered what a Spaceballs 2 could look like. And, up until now, though we knew it was finally happening, no one has seen anything publicly. That changes at Comic-Con when the cast and crew of Spaceballs: The New One arrive armed with what we can only assume will be the first footage and a whole lot more. Marvel movies come out all the time. A new Spaceballs? Starring Mel Brooks? That’s once in a lifetime.
When and where: 4 p.m., Friday, July 24, Hall H
What panels are you excited for? What did we miss? Let us know below.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
