SDCC ’25: A horror-tinged series of AMC events and panels are heading to San Diego

AMC Networks is bringing its most terrifying to Comic Con, including Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, The Walking Dead, and more.

Scares at the Con

Those who are fans of what AMC Networks has been up to, with its various horror series’ and films, will definitely want to check out what’s planned for Comic Con later this month. San Diego will play host to several panels from the network, as well as an activation that’ll find fans in a cornfield with a terrifying clown.

“Comic-Con remains the ultimate celebration of fandom and is the perfect stage to showcase AMC Networks’ most beloved franchise series and films,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “Whether it’s an autograph from Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, a first look at Sam Reid as rockstar Lestat, or a frighteningly fun encounter with Clown in a Cornfield’s Frendo, we’re thrilled to be back in San Diego offering this passionate fanbase a variety of unique and meaningful ways to connect with the stories and characters they love.”  

AMC Networks press release

Panels on tap include one focused on perennial favorite The Walking Dead, and more specifically the current The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon series. Both Norman Reedus, and Melissa McBride will be on hand for that one, along with an additional slate of show staff that includes showrunner David Zabel. Fans will also get a fresh look at the zombie-infested third season of the series, thanks to a brand new trailer. That’s not it for The Walking Dead though, as SDCC 2025 will also see an autograph signing and a press event. So stay tuned for more from your favorite post-apocalyptic property.

As for Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, there’s likewise some happening events planned out, with a panel that focuses on the already running Interview With the Vampire, and the all-new series, Talamasca. The latter will delve into a clandestine group that operates to seek out and capture the various vampires, witches, and “other creatures” that go bump in the night.

And then there’s Clown in a Cornfield. Based on the movie that’s based on the book, and from horror streaming platform Shudder, Clown in a Cornfield isn’t a panel, but an activation. And that means fans will be ushered into a corn maze, where they’ll have to evade the deranged clown like the one from the hit film. Make it past him, and you’re in for a treat by way of the “Shudder Survivors Party”, where you’ll find “photo opps., games and giveaways”, according to AMC.

That’s not all that’s on tap for the big show though, as AMC Networks also has planned out a few more panels to round things out. Those include Ladies Night After Dark, which will focus on the women “of the IFC Entertainment Group’s hottest upcoming films”, plus a discussion centered on building tension in horror fiction called Leave them in Suspense, and The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror, which will star some sneak peeks and delve into “the state of indie and studio horror media”.

Of course, it should go without saying that all of AMC Networks‘ events are going to be limited in terms of attendance. And if you’re an SDCC vet, then you know the drill. Secure your spot in advance, where possible, and if there’s no advance ticketing, plan to get there early.

As for the full official rundown on all of it, you can check that out below.

The Walking Dead

• The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon panel on Friday, July 25, 12:15-1:15pm, Hall H 
  • The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon returns to Hall H for an exclusive preview of the series’ highly anticipated third season, filmed in Spain, with panelists including Chief Content Officer of the Walking Dead Universe Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner and Executive Producer David Zabel, Executive Producer and Director Greg Nicotero, Executive Producer and Star Norman Reedus, and Executive Producer and Star Melissa McBride. The panel will debut the official trailer for season three, which returns Sunday, September 7 at 9pm ET on AMC and AMC+. 
  • Season three follows Daryl Dixon (Reedus) and Carol Peletier (McBride) as they continue their journey to somehow return home and to the ones they love. As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse. 
  • **Fan autograph signing on Friday, July 25 from 11:30am-12:00pm. Space is limited, please register through Comic-Con’s Exclusives Portal for confirmation. 

Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe

• Anne Rice Immortal Universe Panel on Saturday, July 26, 4:30-6:00pm, Ballroom 20 
  • Anne Rice’s Talamasca  
  • Comic-Con attendees will be introduced to the newest series within the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, and the Talamasca secretive society responsible for tracking and containing the witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe. Panelists include Executive Producer Mark Johnson, who oversees the Anne Rice Immortal Universe for AMC Networks, Showrunners and Executive Producers, John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty, along with cast members Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner, Celine Buckens and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. Moderated by TV Guide Magazine and TV Insider’s Damian Holbrook, the panel will also debut a thrilling teaser trailer and reveal exclusive series news. 
  • Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire  
  • The critically acclaimed, award-winning series returns to Ballroom 20 for a panel that will give attendees an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new season and preview the story of rockstar Lestat (Sam Reid), who starts a band and heads out on tour, among other series news and on-stage surprises. Moderated by Holbrook, the panel will feature Executive Producer Mark Johnson, Showrunner and Executive Producer Rolin Jones, Composer Daniel Hart and cast members Reid, Jacob Anderson and Eric Bogosian. 

Clown in a Cornfield

• Shudder Presents CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD: The Experience  
  • Open Thursday, July 24, Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 from 12pm – 8pm PT,
  • Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hotel terrace (401 K Street) 
  • Inspired by IFC Entertainment Group’s smash hit film CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD, which makes its streaming debut on Shudder and AMC+ on August 8, Comic-Con attendees get a chance to test their mettle and evade Frendo on his cornfield home turf. The fan experience will immerse attendees within settings from the film, beginning in the town square during the Founders Day parade, which gives way to a corn maze. Once through the maze, a refuge and celebration for “survivors” awaits with the Shudder Survivors Party, featuring photo opps., games and giveaways.  
  • **Ticketing opens on Monday, July 21. To obtain tickets, please visit @Shudder on Instagram and Twitter. While daily admission is limited, there will be a daily standby line available. 
  • **The event is free and not recommended for children under 13. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian 18+. 
• CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD Fan Screening on Friday, July 25, 10:30pm, Marriott Film Room, Marriott Marquis  

Additional AMC Networks panels

• Collider Ladies Night After Dark – The Women of the IFC Entertainment Group on Thursday, July 24, 6:45-7:45pm, Ballroom 20  
  • The Ladies Night After Dark panel zeroes in on all things genre as Collider’s Perri Nemiroff puts a spotlight on the women of the IFC Entertainment Group’s hottest upcoming films. The panel celebrates the Shudder releases of CLOWN IN A CORNFIELDand DANGEROUS ANIMALS with stars Katie Douglas and Hassie Harrison and will feature a first look at FORBIDDEN FRUITS with Alexandra Shipp, who also appears in VIOLENT ENDS, and Dafne Keen and Sophie Nélisse from the hotly anticipated WHISTLE. 
• Leave Them in Suspense Panel onThursday, July 24, 11:00am-12:00pm, Room 23ABC 
  • Adam Cesare, author of the book Clown in a Cornfield and writer on the film adaptation,which had a record-setting theatrical debut earlier this year and makes its streaming debut on Shudder and AMC+ on August 8, joinsstorytellers Max Allan Collins (SDCC Special Guest), Ted Van Alst Jr. (Never Whistle at Night), Arvind Ethan David (Raymond Chandler’s Trouble is My Business), and Delilah S. Dawson (Guillotine) for a discussion on building tension in mystery and horror fiction while leaving readers on the edge of their seats. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Betty Ramirez (Associate Director, UCSD Writing Center). 
  • **Autograph signing with Adam Cesare on Friday, July 25 from 12:30-1:30pm and Saturday, July 26 from 3:00-4:00pm in the autograph area AA02. Space is limited, please register through Comic-Con’s Exclusives Portal  for confirmation. 
• The Bold Voice of Contemporary HorrorPanelon Friday, July 25, 4:30-5:30pm, Room 5AB  
  • Tina Romero, director of The Independent Film Company/Shudder’s upcoming film QUEENS OF THE DEAD, join some of the most knowledgeable and influential voices in horror today to discuss the state of indie and studio horror media, and give a sneak peek at the best to come this year. Featuring exclusive footage from future releases and stand out festival titles and a lively discussion, moderated by Overlook Film Festival Co-Founder and Director of Film Programming, Michael Lerman, with Akela Cooper (writer, M3GAN, Malignant), Peter Kuplowsky (Programmer, Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness) and Angel Melanson (journalist, Fangoria). 

Details courtesy of AMC Networks press release