San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Draws Record Crowds, Highlights Major Franchise Shifts

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 drew large crowds despite the absence of some major franchises like Marvel, which did not hold a Hall H presentation but maintained a presence with a themed booth and promotional events. The event highlighted diverse offerings including HBO Max's “Peacemaker” second season, which featured a new trailer and a themed immersive experience, and Disney's strong presence with various activations promoting their content, including Star Wars and Lilo & Stitch. Fans showed resilience and enthusiasm, embracing a broad range of panels, showcases, and new talents, with events like the Crunchyroll Anime FanFest adding to the festival's appeal. Mike Becker, founder of Funko, introduced his new collectibles brand Rokimoto at Comic-Con, targeting anime and gaming fans, and reported strong sales at the event. Despite some notable absences, the convention emphasized innovation, community spirit, and evolving entertainment trends, with streaming services playing a significant role in engaging attendees both inside and outside the convention center.