TV and movie stars to expect at Comic-Con 2026 in San Diego

For the celebrity-obsessed, Comic-Con is like Christmas in July — when Hollywood comes to town with a sleigh filled with celebrities.

The official day-by-day schedules released last week have given us a peek into what this year’s Comic-Con holds for us, with names ranging from John Cena and George Takei to Rebecca Romijn and Kate McKinnon.

With what appears to be a big Hollywood presence throughout, we expect more high-wattage names to leak in the coming days.

Adria Arjona

Adria Arjona poses for photographers upon arrival at a fan event for the film “Supergirl” in mid-June in London. She will appear at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. (Scott A. Garfitt//Invision/AP)

Hot off the “Star Wars” series “Andor,” Puerto Rican actress Adria Arjona will hit the scene at Comic-Con to promote the A24 action thriller “Onslaught.” The film, which premieres in September, is about a rogue group of genetically engineered super soldiers. Arjona has been involved with a range of other fan-favorite TV and movie projects recently, including “Hit Man,” “True Detective” and “Fortnite.” Ballroom 20. Thursday, July 23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Jessica Biel arrives at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards. She’ll join the cast of “Matchbox The Movie” for a panel at Comic-Con. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jessica Biel

You may have first known her in the 1990s for “Seventh Heaven,” but now, Jessica Biel has carved out a place as a TV and film star, not to mention Justin Timberlake’s better half. On the way to a leading role in Apple TV’s upcoming “Matchbox The Movie” with John Cena, Biel recently starred in Amazon Prime’s “The Better Sister” alongside Elizabeth Banks. “Matchbox The Movie,” based on the Mattel toys by the same, should find a good home at Comic-Con surrounded by action figures and toys of all kinds. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 2 to 4 p.m. 

Alex Borstein attends a panel for “Family Guy” during Comic-Con International in 2024. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Alex Borstein

The “Family Guy’s” Lois Griffin will be in the house Saturday, July 25, when Alex Borstein drops by Ballroom 20 for a 45-minute panel on what’s next for the long-running animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane. Besides voicing Lois, Borstein has kept herself busy acting in films and TV, including “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” for which she’s won two Emmy awards. Created in 1999, “Family Guy” is expected to unveil exclusive footage and drop some announcements at this panel, which will also be attended by actors Seth Green, Arif Zahir and Jennifer Tilly as well as supervising director Peter Shin, and showrunner and executive producer Rich Appel. Ballroom 20. Saturday, July 25, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.

John Cena poses for photographers upon arrival at the photo call for the film ‘Heads of State.’ He’ll be at Comic-Con to discuss the series “Peacemaker.” (Photo by Millie Turner/Invision/AP)

John Cena

The wrestler-turned-actor John Cena will definitely not be undercover when he makes his appearance in Hall H as part of the “Matchbox The Movie” panel on Saturday, July 25. The Apple TV film, inspired by the Mattel toys, stars Cena as an undercover CIA agent. The movie, which premieres on Oct. 9 on Apple TV, also stars Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Arturo Castro, Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Danai Gurira and Golshifteh Faranhani. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 2 to 4 p.m. 

Kyle Chandler poses at the premiere of the Netflix film “Slumberland.” He’ll attend Comic-Con for a panel about the new HBO Max show “Lanterns.” (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Kyle Chandler

Most famous for playing Coach Eric Taylor in the NBC drama “Friday Night Lights,” actor Kyle Chandler steps into the DC universe in the HBO-produced series “Lanterns.” Chandler plays Hal Jordan. He’ll appear on a panel on Friday, July 24, with Aaron Pierre (John Stewart), Garret Dillahunt (William Macon), Poorna Jagannathan (Zoe), and co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King. Expect never-before-seen clips and exclusive chatter about the upcoming series, set to air in August on USA. Hall H. Friday, July 24, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Common performs during the BET Awards. He’ll be on a Comic-Con panel for Apple TV’s “Silo.” (AP Photo/John Locher)

Common

One of the buzziest panels of the weekend will be Apple TV’s two-hour event featuring “Silo,” “Matchbox the Movie,” “Dark Matter,” “Mayday” and “Widow’s Bay.” Common — an Academy Award-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning rapper, actor and author — will join the cast of “Silo” to discuss the latest season and other details from behind-the-scenes. He’ll be joined by other series stars: Graham Yost, Rebecca Ferguson, Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick and Alexandria Riley. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 2 to 4 p.m.

Actor John Cusack will sign copies of his new book, “Momo,” at Comic-Con. (The Backlot Project)

John Cusack

If you fell in love with John Cusack in 1987’s “Gross Pointe Blank,” 1989’s “Say Anything” or 2000’s “High Fidelity,” here’s your chance to see the actor up close and personal. He’ll be at Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, to sign copies of the book “Momo,” illustrated by Ignacio Noé. Simon & Schuster describes the book this way: “Two fugitives form an uneasy alliance on a mission tied to none other than Jackie Gleason — yes, that Jackie Gleason — and quickly find themselves in way over their heads. What follows is a surreal collision of pulp sci-fi, occult mystery, and dark humor, packed with bizarre encounters, buried secrets, and forces far beyond their control.” Autograph Area AA04. Friday, July 24, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

Guillermo del Toro poses for a portrait during the 98th Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon. The director will attend Comic-Con this year for a panel celebrating “Pan’s Labyrinth.” (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Guillermo del Toro

Two decades after Guillermo del Toro brought us “Pan’s Labyrinth,” the Oscar-winning filmmaker will make a Comic-Con appearance in what’s considered the primetime of the annual convention: the five o’clock hour on a Friday in Hall H. The Mexican director will be joined by actors Doug Jones (Pale Man, Faun) and Ivana Baquero (Ofelia) as well as Oscar-winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro. The film will be re-released in October, so expect sneak peeks. Lots of it. Hall H. Friday, July 24, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. 

Seth Green attends a panel for “Family Guy” during Comic-Con International in 2024, in San Diego. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Seth Green

Seth Green, the man behind Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken,” will be on another panel on Thursday. Green is definitely well-known in Comic-Con circles as a multi-hyphenate: actor-producer-director-writer-comic. He made his acting debut in 1984’s “The Hotel New Hampshire” and has appeared in countless films and TV shows since, including the “Austin Powers” movies and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” At this year’s Comic-Con, he’ll appear on a panel about the art of visual storytelling with a sneak peek inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. He’ll be joining Matthew Senreich, with whom he formed Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the Lucas Museum’s senior curator and head of film programs Ryan Linkof, and DC president, publisher, and CCO Jim Lee. Hall H. Thursday, July 23, 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.  

ENHYPEN arrives for Prada’s Spring/Summer 2027 men’s collection presented in Milan. The group will make a special appearance at Comic-Con. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

ENHYPEN

Expect some ear-piercing squeals from Ballroom 20 on Thursday morning when the K-pop sensation ENHYPEN graces the stage for some vampire talk. The panel, aptly called “Bite Me: Calling All Vampires,” will feature members of the ENHYPEN talking about the “Dark Moon” franchise. They’ll be joined by familiar faces from the “Twilight” series — director Catherine Hardwicke, Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen) and Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen). TV guide senior writer Damian Holbrook will moderate the panel, followed by an audience Q&A. Ballroom 20. Thursday, July 23, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 

Marvel Studios will return to San Diego Comic-Con this year. Pictured: Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios during the opening ceremony for Avengers Campus inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim in 2021 (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kevin Feige

His name might not be recognizable to the general public, but in Comic-Con circles, especially those in the Marvel fandom, he is definitely an A-lister. Kevin Feige is the president and executive producer of Marvel Studios and the chief creative officer of Marvel. And since 2007, he has been the primary producer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige and his Marvel cohorts are taking the main stage Saturday night — as in, Hall H — for the biggest presentation of the entire convention, marking Marvel’s return to Comic-Con. Its next big release, “Avengers: Doomsday,” is set for a Dec. 18 opening. Since no celebrity names have been released, we’re expecting some major surprises. Marvel knows how to put on a show, so this should be no exception. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Nathan Fillion attends the world premiere of the final episodes of “Ozark.” He’ll be at Comic-Con to promote the ninth season of “The Rookie.” (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion is such a Comic-Con staple that he’s even had a massive advertisement of his face on the side of a downtown San Diego building. He’s been there the last two years for “The Rookie” and returns this summer to discuss the show’s ninth season. Fillion is also known for “Castle,” “Big Mouth,” “Superman” and “Peacemaker.” Indigo Ballroom. Saturday, July 25, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

Chris Kattan arrives at the premiere of “The Hawk.” He’ll be at Comic-Con for a Saturday panel on the upcoming movie “Concert Heroes.” (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Chris Kattan

The star of “Saturday Night Live” and “A Night at the Roxbury” is headed to Comic-Con with a new comedy project celebrating the culture of live music. Much of the filming for the upcoming “Concert Heroes” took place in San Diego, so it’s a fitting place for the cast and crew to share some behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive clips. The movie also features Elizabeth Daily, famous for playing the voice of Tommy Pickles in “Rugrats” and ” Buttercup in “The Powerpuff Girls.” Indigo Ballroom, Saturday, July 25, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Matthew Lillard (as Stu Macher, left) and Rose McGowan (as Tatum Riley) in a scene from Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher “Scream.” (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Matthew Lillard

Horror fans will already know Matthew Lillard as an ongoing star in the “Scream” franchise, including the most recent “Scream 7.” Now, he’s back to bring to life another beloved horror character, Stephen King’s “Carrie,” in an Amazon Prime Video series of the same name, debuting in October. Lillard, also known for playing Shaggy in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise, will play the schol principal in “Carrie.” The show will be the subject of a Saturday panel, “Meet the New Class of Carrie.” Ballroom 20. Saturday, July 25, 5 to 6 p.m.

Mike McCready of Pearl Jam performs during the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He’ll be at Comic-Con to talk about his new graphic novel. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Mike McCready

The Pearl Jam, Mad Season and Temple of the Dog guitarist joins the wave of musicians getting into graphic novels. McCready will join a panel titled “Mike McCready’s Alternative History of Grunge” to discuss “Farewell to Seasons,” which seeks to capture the ’90s grunge scene explosion with illustration through comics. The founding member of Pearl Jam also contributes to the pop culture world by scoring TV and film projects. Indigo Ballroom. Thursday, July 23, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Margot Robbie, left, and Kate McKinnon in a scene from “Bombshell.” (Hilary B. Gayle/Lionsgate via AP)

Kate McKinnon

“Saturday Night Live” mainstay Kate McKinnon will hit Comic-Con hard as part of a panel for “Heads Will Roll,” the hit comedy series she created with her sister, Emily Lynne. The sisters promise to “take you behind the scenes” of their hit Audible Original comedy series on Saturday, July 25. “Kate and Emily will share the creative chaos of building their absurd medieval world … where a raven turns into a toad, queens face demonic reproductive deadlines, and nothing goes according to plan,” organizers say. Room 5AB. Saturday, July 25, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was brutal to the survivors when he first debuted in “The Walking Dead” on season six. He will make an appearance at this year’s Comic-Con. (Gene Page / AMC)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays “Negan” in the super popular “The Walking Dead” franchise, will join the cast and producers of AMC/AMC+’s “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” set to return July 26 for its third season. Morgan, who also is an executive producer for the series, will be joined by Lauren Cohan (executive producer; “Maggie”), Jimmi Simpson (“Dillard”), Aimee Garcia (“Renata”) and Seth Hoffman (showrunner and executive producer). A sneak peek of the season’s first episode is expected. Hall H. Friday, July 24, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rebecca Romijn (center), and (from left) Ethan Peck and Jess Bush attend a panel for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” during Comic-Con International in 2025. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Rebecca Romijn

Rebecca Romijn first captured the hearts of the nerd community in the role of Mystique in the early 2000s in the “X-Men” movies, and now she’s at Comic-Con for another beloved franchise: “Star Trek.” On Saturday, a special 60th anniversary celebration will include Romijn and other cast members from “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” They’ll be joined by other icons of Trek history, such as Michael Dorn, Jerry O’Connell and Robert Picardo. In the latest Paramount+ original series for the franchise, “Strange New Worlds,” Romijn plays the role of Una Chin-Riley. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

Dan Stevens attends the AMC Global Media Upfront at Spring Studios on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Dan Stevens

The acting range of Dan Stevens, known to many as the heartthrob of “Downtown Abbey,” includes everything from the horror anthology series “The Terror” to the Beast in the live action version of “Beauty and the Beast.” Now he’s joining the cast of a new action thriller, “Onslaught.” He’ll play a scientist in the film about a group of genetically engineered super soldiers. The movie hits theaters in September, but attendees of the “Onslaught” panel will get to see footage debuting to the public for the first time. Ballroom 20. Thursday, July 23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

George Takei appears at the 75th annual Tony Awards in New York in 2022. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

George Takei

No celebration of “Star Trek” history would be complete without the legendary George Takei. A frequent star at Comic-Con, Takei played the character of Sulu in the 1960s “Star Trek” TV series and has contributed to many other movies, series and podcasts in the franchise. Takei is considered a television pioneer for representation of Asian Americans in media and is also and author and activist. He’ll join Romijn and other “Star Trek” legends at a 60th anniversary celebration. Hall H. Saturday, July 25, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

Lisa Whelchel arrives at the 2014 PALEYFEST Fall TV Previews. She’ll be on a panel for MeTV’s hit show, “Collector’s Call” at Comic-Con. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lisa Whelchel

If you’re a child of the 1980s, Lisa Whelchel — aka Blair Warner — will be a familiar face at this year’s Comic-Con. The actress will attend the convention as part of a panel for MeTV’s hit show, “Collector’s Call.” Whelchel is host of the show about collectors and their amazing collections. She’ll be joined by Neal Sabin, vice Chairman of MeTV; and “Collector’s Call” experts Rob Klein, Jennifer Klein and Matt Weinhold. Room 6DE. Friday, July 24, 10 a.m. She’ll also be in Autograph Area AA04 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. after the panel.