WonderCon 2026: Full Schedule

3:45pm PDT

Aliens 40: The 40th Anniversary of One of the Best Sequels Ever Made

Friday March 27, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

This panel marks the 40th anniversary of Aliens (1986), honoring James Cameron's sequel and its lasting impact on science fiction action and pop culture. Members of the cast, including Michael Biehn, Jennette Goldstein, and Mark Rolston, share behind-the-scenes stories, discuss groundbreaking effects, and reflect on the evolution of Ripley into an action icon. Moderated by Mark Atkinson (actor, filmmaker), the panel features anecdotes, audience Q&A, and retrospective insights designed to engage longtime fans and introduce new audiences to this influential film.

Friday March 27, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
North 100B

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes

11:30am PDT

Focus on Jim Cummings

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

North 200A

This intimate conversation with Jim Cummings explores his 40-plus-year career giving voice to a diverse array of landmark animated characters, including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, and Star Wars' Hondo Ohnaka, as well as providing the singing voice of Scar in The Lion King. A two-time Annie Award winner and recipient of the prestigious Winsor McCay Award, Cummings is joined by moderator Chris Judge, producer of the incredibly popular Toon'd In! with Jim Cummings podcast.

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
North 200A

1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Anniversaries, Fandom, Historical, Kids, Movies, Superheroes, Television

1:00pm PDT

Meet Tarzan Author Joe R. Lansdale plus Esteemed Guests

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 211

Three decades ago, Edgar Rice Burroughs' grandson found a lost Tarzan manuscript in a vault in Tarzana, California, and selected rising-star author Joe R. Lansdale (Bubba Hotep, Hap and Leonard) to complete it. Now, Lansdale is a legend in his own right, discussing new Tarzan projects as well as the 30th anniversary edition of Tarzan: The Lost Adventure, a convention exclusive debuting at WonderCon. The panel also features Llana Jane Burroughs, ERB's great-granddaughter, whose father recovered the lost manuscript and worked tirelessly to promote ERB's legacy. Next, Tom Akel of Rocketship Entertainment offers a glimpse at a new epic Tarzan comics project. Also on hand are Wolf Larson (former Tarzan TV star and VP of ERB Entertainment) and the ERB, Inc. team to discuss upcoming books, comic books, merchandise, and movie and TV series in development. Attendees will receive a Tarzan: The Lost Adventure 30th anniversary bookmark!

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Games, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Star Trek at 60: Starfleet Academy: Real Uniter or Faux Divider?

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Room 207

Is it 2017 again? Star Trek turns 60 with a host of anniversary plans, but Starfleet Academy has bowed with more controversy than any recent series since Star Trek: Discovery's heated first year. With SFA's first season wrapped, "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek (The Trek Files, Portal 47) asks a host of Trek industry vets for their own takes on the series as well as the meta-reaction to it: Neal Hallford (DP, Con of Wrath), Matt Jennings (For All Mankind, 1701: A Blerd Story), Tony Kim (Hero Within), Charlynn Schmiedt (Mission Log: Prodigy, Star Trek & Chill). Is that initial negative reaction by some critics and fans more about clickbait-chasing talkers and review-bombing than actual criticism and nuance? Can we sense whether IRL armchair Trekkies feel as mainstream critics and activist fans do—in support?

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207

1: Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anniversaries

6:30pm PDT

Star Wars Memories: The Early Days of Star Wars, SDCC, and Fandom

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Room 300C

Star Wars was released in 1977. But almost a year earlier, it was publicized and promoted at San Diego Comic-Con. Craig Miller (Lucasfilm's original director of fan relations and the author of Star Wars Memories) gives a slide show on the early association between Star Wars, Comic-Con, and fandom, including stories about how the film was publicized and promoted at SDCC in 1976 and how fans got involved and were kept involved from even before the film came out, including stories about 20th Century Fox's market research on making Star Wars, George Lucas's original explanation for the Millennium Falcon's 12 parsec Kessel Run, picking Leigh Brackett to write The Empire Strikes Back, Underwear That's Fun To Wear, taking Droids to Sesame Street, and more.

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C

1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies

6:30pm PDT

What Peggy Carter Taught Us

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Room 213AB

This March marks the 10th anniversary of the cancellation of Marvel's Agent Carter. Jennifer Redelle Carey, M.A. (educator, Ariadne's String), Dr. Mercedes Samudio (licensed psychotherapist, author, and cultural commentator), Sara Elizabeth Santana (indie YA and romance author, former blogger and professional fangirl), Dr. Janina Scarlet (psychologist; author of Superhero Therapy), and moderator Dawn M. Bourn (The Geek Girl Project) discuss why Agent Carter, as a character and a TV show, continues to be transformative to American culture and why Peggy Carter's iconic quote "I know my value" matters more than ever.

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Education, Fandom, Historical, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Jaws 50: The 50th Anniversary of Steven Spielberg's Jaws

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

North 100B

Just when attendees thought it was safe to go back to WonderCon . . . This panel celebrates Jaws's 2025 50th anniversary and explores the impact and legacy of Spielberg's iconic film with fellow fans and experts, including Chris Gore (film critic and founder, Film Threat), Pat Jankiewicz (author, Just When You Thought It Was Safe: A Jaws Companion), and Steph Cannon (Fangoria). Moderated by Mark Atkinson (actor, filmmaker, longtime Jaws fan), the panel focuses on the film's enduring influence on popular culture.

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
North 100B

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Tributes

WonderCon 2026

3:45pm PDT

11:30am PDT

1:00pm PDT

6:00pm PDT

6:30pm PDT

6:30pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

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