Cinema VinesThe 2026 San Diego Comic Con opened on Thursday with a series of high‑profile returns and unexpected guest appearances, drawing more than 130,000 attendees to the Hilton Bayfront hotel and surrounding streets. Among the most talked‑about moments was a surprise appearance by Johnny Depp, who walked the streets near the convention center dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ classic. The actor used the opportunity to promote his upcoming film Ebenezer, slated for a November theatrical release, marking Depp’s first major Hollywood studio project in eight years after a tumultuous period in his career.
Marvel Studios made a triumphant return to the coveted Hall H after skipping last year’s event. The studio’s showcase highlighted the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, a Russo Brothers‑directed film that will bring together heroes and villains from the X‑Men, Avengers, Black Panther and Fantastic Four franchises. The event is expected to feature appearances from returning stars such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth, and is positioned as one of the convention’s marquee attractions.
In addition to the Marvel buzz, Hall H hosted a panel titled “Bite Me: Calling All Vampires,” which brought together K‑pop sensation ENHYPEN and cast members from the 2008 teen vampire hit Twilight. The panel attracted a large crowd of fans eager to discuss the crossover of pop culture and supernatural themes.
The convention also spotlighted Indian cinema with a Ramayana panel featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, director Nitesh Tiwari, and producer Namit Malhotra. Their discussion focused on the film’s partnership with Hollywood studio Sony for international distribution, a rare opportunity for Indian storytelling at Comic Con. The panel’s trailer launch was delayed to Thursday evening (Friday morning in India) to accommodate the new distribution arrangement.
Overall, the 2026 Comic Con delivered a mix of nostalgic comebacks, cross‑genre panels, and international film collaborations, reaffirming San Diego’s status as the premier gathering for cinema and pop culture enthusiasts.
