You've probably seen the rumors swirling on Reddit or TikTok about which Hollywood heavyweights are actually making the trek to San Diego or New York this year. Honestly, it’s a weird year for the convention circuit. Some massive studios are playing it cool and skipping the big rooms, while others are leaning in harder than ever. If you're wondering who will be at Comic Con 2025, the answer depends entirely on which coast you’re hitting and how much time you’re willing to spend waiting in line for Hall H.
San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) remains the crown jewel, but New York Comic Con (NYCC) has basically become its equal in terms of pure star power. We aren't just talking about guys in spandex either. We’re seeing a massive influx of prestige TV casts, legendary animators, and even some horror icons that usually stay in the shadows.
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The Heavy Hitters Heading to San Diego
The big news for San Diego is the return of some absolute legends. We’re talking about the Tron: Ares crew. Jeff Bridges is officially coming back to the grid, and he’ll be joined by Jared Leto and Evan Peters. It’s been a long time since Tron felt this relevant, and having the original Dude himself on stage is a massive get for Disney.
If you're more into the horror side of things, keep an eye out for the Five Nights at Freddy's 2 panel. Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, and the legendary Matthew Lillard are all slated to appear. People were skeptical about the first movie, but after that box office run, Blumhouse is treating this like their Avengers.
Then there’s the Star Trek Universe. It's basically a permanent fixture at this point, but the 2025 lineup is particularly stacked. You’ve got the Strange New Worlds cast—Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, and Paul Wesley—sharing space with the new Starfleet Academy crew, including Holly Hunter. It’s a literal passing of the torch right there in front of the fans.
Animation and the Comedy Legends
One of the coolest things happening this year is the "South Park, Beavis & Butthead, and Digman!" mega-panel. It’s pretty rare to get Trey Parker and Matt Stone in the same room as Mike Judge and Andy Samberg. They’ll be talking shop about the future of adult animation, and honestly, that room is probably going to be the hardest ticket to get outside of the Marvel stuff.
Speaking of animation, the Fox block is back in full force:
- The Simpsons: Matt Groening and the usual writers' room suspects.
- Family Guy: Seth Green and Alex Borstein are confirmed.
- Futurama: Billy West and the voice of Bender, John DiMaggio, are expected to keep the Planet Express hype alive.
New York Comic Con: The East Coast Takeover
If you can’t make it to California, NYCC is arguably bringing just as much heat in 2025. They’ve managed to snag Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany for a bit of a WandaVision nostalgia trip, which has the MCU theorists working overtime.
John Boyega is also making a huge appearance in New York. While everyone wants to ask him about Star Wars, he’s mostly there to talk about his newer projects, but you know a few Jedi questions will slip in.
And then there's the Fallout cast. After the show blew up on Prime Video, Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell have become the most requested guests on the circuit. Seeing "The Ghoul" in person is basically the highlight of the year for most gaming fans.
Why Comic Con 2025 Feels Different
It’s important to realize that the "vibe" of these conventions is shifting. A few years ago, it was all about the 2-minute trailer for a movie coming out in three years. Now? It’s about the experience.
Studios are bringing "activations" more than just panels. Paramount+ is bringing back "The Lodge" in San Diego, which is basically a mini-theme park for their shows. If you’re going, you’re not just watching actors talk; you’re walking through the sets of Yellowstone or Star Trek.
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The Comic Book Purists' Win
While the "Hollywood" side of things gets the headlines, the actual comic book guests for 2025 are incredible. Frank Miller is doing a rare circuit run. Mark Evanier—who has literally been to every single SDCC since 1970—will be there.
For the modern art fans, guys like Daniel Warren Johnson and J.M. DeMatteis are the ones to watch. They might not have the name recognition of a Chris Pratt, but the lines for their autographs in Artist Alley can sometimes be just as long. It’s a good reminder that the "Comic" in Comic Con still matters to a lot of people.
Tips for Actually Seeing Your Favorite Stars
Look, knowing who will be at Comic Con 2025 is only half the battle. Actually getting into the room is the hard part.
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- The "Camping" Reality: For Hall H in San Diego, people still sleep on the sidewalk. If you aren't prepared for that, don't expect to see Jared Leto from the front row.
- The Lottery System: Most of the high-profile autograph signings are now done via a pre-con lottery. Check your email constantly. If you miss the window, you're basically out of luck.
- Off-Site Events: A lot of stars show up at the "activations" outside the convention center. You don't always need a badge to catch a glimpse of someone at the Gaslamp Quarter or the Javits Center periphery.
Basically, 2025 is the year of the "niche blockbuster." We’re seeing a lot of specialized content—anime like Demon Slayer taking over huge rooms, and horror franchises getting the red-carpet treatment. It’s a more diverse lineup than we’ve seen in a decade.
If you’re planning your trip, start locking in your schedule now. The official apps for both SDCC and NYCC usually update about two weeks before the doors open, but the guest lists are mostly set by now. Just be ready for the "surprise guest" factor—Marvel usually keeps at least one massive name hidden until the very last second.
To make the most of your 2025 con season, make sure you download the official Comic-Con app and turn on notifications for Guest Announcements. If you're looking for autographs, check the "Signature Series" portals on the ReedPop or SDCC websites immediately to see which slots are still open for the lottery.