Comic-Con opens in San Diego with Marvel returning to Hall H

Comic-Con opened in San Diego, California, on 23 July 2026, with fans focused on Marvel's return to the convention after the studio skipped last year's event.

Marvel is due to appear in Hall H on Saturday to promote "Avengers: Doomsday," which is scheduled to premiere in December. The film, directed by the Russo brothers, is expected to continue from 2019's "Endgame" and bring together characters from X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther and the Fantastic Four.

The annual convention draws about 130,000 fans for movie previews, actor announcements and panels. At Marvel's previous Hall H appearance, the studio announced that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man.

DC Studios is also set to appear in Hall H to preview the HBO series "Lanterns," starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as detectives in small-town Nebraska. The series is due to debut on August 16 and offers a different take from the 2011 "Green Lantern" film.

Fans began lining up on Wednesday for Thursday events in Hall H. Sisters Adelaide and Delaney Hall were at the front of the queue. Adelaide Hall, 21, said she planned to camp out so she could be inside early the next day. She said she was especially interested in the panel for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," whose third season is due on November 20.

A Thursday panel called "Bite Me: Calling All Vampires" brought together K-pop group ENHYPEN and cast members from the 2008 film "Twilight." Fan Rachel Castillo said she was overwhelmed after cheering for the performers. Fans were also waiting for a preview of the action film "Onslaught," starring Adria Arjona.

Comic-Con began in 1970 and has grown into a large pop culture event where fans gather to buy memorabilia, meet performers and follow new film and television announcements.

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro is scheduled to mark the 20th anniversary of "Pan's Labyrinth" on Friday. "Star Trek" crew members are due in San Diego on Saturday to mark six decades of the franchise. Local fan Reyna Villalobos said that was the event she was most looking forward to.

Apple TV is expected to show material from the horror comedy "Widow's Bay" and the upcoming films "Mayday," starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, and "Matchbox: The Movie," with John Cena and Jessica Biel. Fans are also due to see a preview of "Spaceballs: The New One," a sequel to Mel Brooks's space comedy. The Lucas Museum is set to share new details about its exhibits before opening in Los Angeles.

Comic-Con runs through Sunday, July 26.