There’s something special about being in a room full of people who love the same stories you do. At New York Comic Con, that shared excitement is part of the experience, whether you’re hearing from the talent behind a favorite series or discovering something that becomes your next obsession. As NYCC 2026 approaches, we’re looking forward to the conversations and moments that make a panel worth lining up for.
For fans, building a convention schedule can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. Panels offer a chance to go beyond what we see on screen and hear about the creative choices, collaborations, and experiences that bring these stories to life. They’re also an opportunity to see a different side of the people behind them, with candid answers and unexpected exchanges often becoming highlights of the weekend.
To help you plan your visit, we’ve rounded up 10 must-see panels to add to your NYCC 2026 schedule. Whether you’re attending for a longtime favorite or looking for something new to get excited about, these are the panels on our radar, and the ones you’ll want to make room for.
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Hall 1D: Main Stage
One of television’s most recognizable franchises is marking a major milestone at NYCC 2026. To celebrate Dexter’s 20th anniversary, the cast and creative team behind Paramount+’s Dexter: Resurrection will reunite for a conversation about the series and an exclusive look at its upcoming second season. For fans eager to see what comes next, this is an easy addition to the weekend’s must-see list.
Moderated by Josh Horowitz, the panel will feature Michael C. Hall, Uma Thurman, James Remar, Jack Alcott, Bokeem Woodbine, and Krysten Ritter, alongside showrunner and executive producer Clyde Phillips and executive producers Scott Reynolds and Marcos Siega. With an impressive lineup, a milestone anniversary, and plenty of killer surprises promised, there’s a lot to look forward to, whether you’ve followed the franchise from the beginning or recently joined the conversation.
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Time: 2:20 PM – 3:20 PM
Location: North-Level 5: Empire Stage
The best cast reunions remind us why we fell in love with these stories in the first place, and this Arrowverse panel has all the makings of one. Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, and John Wesley Shipp are coming together for a special Popverse Fans First conversation. For fans who spent years following these characters through crossovers, alternate Earths, and emotional goodbyes, it’s a chance to reconnect with the actors who made that world feel like home.
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Time: 4:15 PM – 5:45 PM
Location: North-Level 5: Empire Stage
Marvel knows how to keep a secret, and that’s part of what makes Up Next From Marvel Television and Marvel Animation such an intriguing addition to the NYCC 2026 lineup. Special guests will offer an inside look at some of the most anticipated upcoming Disney+ series, giving fans a peek at what’s next in live action and animation.
With so much still under wraps, the mystery is part of the draw. Who will take the stage, which series will get the spotlight, and what will Marvel be ready to reveal? We’re eager to find out, and this is one panel we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: North-Level 5: Empire Stage
Horror fans will get an early trip to Crystal Lake, where Peacock and A24 will present an exclusive first-look screening of the series premiere. The chilling prequel to Friday the 13th opens a new chapter in the iconic franchise, giving attendees the chance to be among the first to see how its story unfolds.
Following the screening, series creator Brad Caleb Kane will join stars Linda Cardellini, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, and Callum Vinson to discuss bringing Crystal Lake to life.
Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: North-Level 5: Empire Stage
Thirty years later, Scream still gives horror fans plenty to talk about, from its sharp take on slasher conventions to the characters and reveals that made watching it for the first time so memorable. Matthew Lillard, Lee Waddell, Skeet Ulrich, and Jamie Kennedy will come together to celebrate the original film’s 30th anniversary and revisit the making of a horror classic.
Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2026
Time: 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Hall 1D: Main Stage
A new Avatar’s journey begins, and fans will get an inside look on premiere day. Avatar: Seven Havens follows a young Earthbender who discovers she’s the Avatar after Korra in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm. Moderated by Janet Varney, the original voice of Korra, the panel brings together creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, executive producers Ethan Spaulding and Sehaj Sethi, and cast members Saheli Khan, Aishu Devan, and Major Curda to explore the making of the series and tease what’s ahead across the Avatar Legends universe.
Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2026
Time: 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Hall 1D: Main Stage
Supernatural comedy takes over the Main Stage with a double feature from CBS. Ghosts stars Utkarsh Ambudkar, Rebecca Wisocky, Sheila Carrasco, and Devan Chandler Long will join executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman to unpack the Season 5 cliffhanger and tease what’s next at Woodstone Manor. Expect behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive reveals ahead of October’s hour-long Halloween special.
Then, meet the decidedly complicated family at the heart of Eternally Yours, a new comedy about two vampires married for 500 years who struggle to accept their daughter’s human boyfriend. Ed Weeks, Allegra Edwards, Jaren Lewison, Helen J Shen, Parker Young, and Rose Abdoo will join executive producer Joe Wiseman for an exclusive sneak peek and conversation. Entertainment Weekly Editor-in-Chief Patrick Gomez will moderate both panels.
Date: Fri, Oct 9, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: North-Level 5: Empire Stage
An encounter with a massive sperm whale sets the stage for Whalefall, a survival thriller that pairs an extraordinary premise with an emotional story. Star Austin Abrams will join director, co-screenwriter, and producer Brian Duffield and author and co-screenwriter Daniel Kraus to explore bringing the acclaimed novel to the screen. The panel offers a closer look at the creative collaboration behind the film ahead of its exclusive theatrical release on October 16.
Date: Sat, Oct 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Location: Hall 1D: Main Stage
Percy Jackson’s next chapter takes the spotlight as Walker Scobell joins TV Guide’s Damian Holbrook for a conversation about Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Bringing The Titan’s Curse to the screen for the first time, the new season marks another major step in Percy’s journey. Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at the adaptation and hear how Scobell’s experience growing with the series has shaped his approach to its beloved hero.
Date: Sun, Oct 11, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Hall 1D: Main Stage
NCIS: New York brings the franchise to a new city, and NYCC 2026 offers fans an inside look at how its latest chapter is taking shape. LL Cool J, Scott Caan, Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper, and Devin Druid will join executive producer and showrunner Byron Balasco to discuss building the series’ world and ensemble. From the characters’ dynamics to the high-stakes cases ahead, the conversation will explore how New York City sets the stage for the CBS drama’s first season.
Pop Culturalist is excited to be partnering with 20th Century Studios to give away tickets…
After fifteen seasons of The Challenge, Brad Fiorenza still finds something worth coming back for.…
For the families of Team Moms: Baseball, the game doesn’t end when the boys leave…
Every so often, a film comes along that makes you wish you could watch it…
In Sunny Dancer, his sophomore feature, writer-director George Jaques sets out to tell a story…
Pop Culturalist is excited to be partnering with Paramount Pictures to give away tickets to…