San Diego Comic-Con 2025 ends with Marvel and DC absent, prompting debate about the convention’s changing role and future.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 has concluded with an unusually subdued atmosphere, as both Marvel and DC—traditionally the event’s main draws—opted not to participate this year. The absence of these heavyweights has sparked widespread debate about the evolving role and relevance of what was once the world’s premier pop culture convention.

Disappointing Absences in Hall H

Traditionally, Hall H has hosted the most anticipated studio presentations, featuring star-studded panels and surprise announcements. This year, however, the cavernous room was notably less electric. Neither Marvel Studios nor DC brought their usual flurry of updates or new footage, leaving dedicated fans disappointed and the industry speculating about the shifting priorities of major entertainment companies.

Smaller Announcements Fill the Gap

While the larger studios were absent, Comic-Con 2025 still featured newsworthy moments: HBO Max previewed a prequel to It, and DC’s Peacemaker season two received a new trailer. Other films such as The Long Walk and Five Nights at Freddy’s saw updates, and a release date for Coyote vs ACME was revealed. However, the lack of blockbuster announcements left Hall H unusually quiet, highlighting a changing landscape where niche productions command the main stage.

The Strategic Shift: Holding Back the Big Reveals

Industry observers suggest that the new trend among major studios is to save significant announcements for exclusive, brand-controlled events, rather than sharing the spotlight at Comic-Con. Marvel may now prefer to unveil projects at Disney’s biennial D23 Expo, while other companies like Nintendo host their own Direct presentations. This strategic shift enables studios to dominate the entertainment news cycle on their own terms, minimizing the risk of competing reveals diluting their impact.

Future of Comic-Con in Question

With its main attractions missing, Comic-Con’s central role as the nexus of pop culture reveals may be in jeopardy. Some see this as an opportunity for more focused, fan-driven experiences, while others worry the lack of tentpole events signals a trend toward Comic-Con’s diminishing relevance, similar to the decline of E3 in the gaming world. Whether major studios will return remains an open question as the industry continues to evolve.