SDCC is like a pop-culture “MARDI GRAS”. With genre fun spilling out of the convention center into the Gaslamp Quarter. Turning it into a crowded and costume-filled nerd-version of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
And to add to the festivities, the studios/production companies set up pop-up interactions called activations, based on film & television fan favorites. Here are a few I attended. And each one was a blast. I couldn’t attend them all because there wasn’t enough time. And I was there all five days. SDCC 2025 was a great time this year.
“The Lodge” was a free immersive experience that combined several fandoms and properties.
This year’s activation featured a “mountain” of interactive experiences, that allowed attendees to boldly go inside the world of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds with the holodeck, we uncovered the dark twists of Dexter: Resurrection, stepped into Texas oil country with Landman and the Patch Café. Sparks flew with NCIS: Tony & Ziva, and Mission: Impossible. And Pluto gave us popcorn and a photo op. And at the CBS Sports UEFA Champions League bar, I enjoyed themed beverages, chicken sliders and French fries. Along with interactive games and giveaways. I got a cool ‘Star Fleet Academy’ tote.
Shudder and AMC+ are brought the chilling world of Clown in a Cornfield to life with an immersive, scream-worthy activation…
Timed ahead of the film’s premiere on Shudder and AMC+ on August 8, this fully immersive horror experience dropped fans into the eerie heart of Kettle Springs. The event kicked off with a terrifyingly cheerful Founder’s Day Parade that quickly devolves into a nightmare as attendees were led into a cornfield maze stalked by none other than Frendo, the nightmare clown at the center of the slasher franchise.
But getting in is easy; getting out was where the real horror begins. And it was a scary good time! I went through the dark maze with a small group, and though we were almost caught by Frendo, we were able to make it out alive. And once outside, there were free carnival games, drinks, and prizes…
FX’s immersive experience, titled “The Wreckage”.
This activation transported fans to the mysterious crash site of the USCSS Maginot. By day, guests explored the eerie remnants of this doomed spacecraft and uncovered disturbing clues about the alien lifeforms lurking within. By night, the tone shifted dramatically with “The Wreckage: Code Red”. This version was a darker, more terrifying mission, with actors leading you on a doomed rescue mission. It was so much fun.
This immersive environment was more than just set dressing. Itwas packed with interactive thrills, including first looks at never-before-seen alien specimens. In the “Alien: Earth” panel they showed the 1st episode of the series. Which showed how the ship crashed, and why. Along with what was aboard….
Hulu brought Arlen, Texas, from the iconic King of the Hill franchise to life right outside the Convention Center.
Guests stepped inside Hank Hill’s Backyard for a big ole cookout, complete with BBQ bites served up throughout the day, classic lawn games, themed photo ops and a cold can of Alamo (water) to beat the heat.
Hank Hill’s Backyard transported fans into the world of Arlen, where they had classic photo ops from the series.
Alamo Pong
Guests got a chance to partake in a game of ‘Alamo Pong’, participating in some friendly competition in hopes of winning a prize and claiming Alamo Pong championship. Large-scale 2D cutouts of the King of the Hill’s beloved characters werestationed throughout the space for special photo opportunities.
Lawn Mower Photo Op
Guests had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to picture themselves in the world of King of the Hill. The Lawn Mower photo opportunity featured the iconic Hill residence, where guests can pose on the front lawn with large-scale 2D cutouts of the beloved Hill family, ride the family lawn mower, and ‘drive’ through Arlen, Texas.
Mega Lo Mart Customization Hat Station
I was able to customize my own Trucker hat with a special patch, unique to King of the Hill.
Water Tower
I was also able to quench my thirst with a crisp can of Alamo water under the Arlen water tower. Not only does the water tower serve as a beacon of Arlen, Texas – it was also a rehydration point for attendees. I received cold-canned water in Alamo branded aluminum cans.
Backyard Cookout
I was able to unwind in the Hill’s Backyard with a backyard cookout. There wer umbrellas and picnic tables. And since it was 10am, we didn’t get BBQ, we got a delicious breakfast burrito, that really hit the spot. And there was a large grill-TV playing clips from the previous and new season of the show, forus to enjoy while relaxing.
ALL THE ACTIVATIONS WERE GREAT THIS YEAR…
And while I was only able to do four, there were many more. The FANTASTIC FOUR, PERCY JACKSON, PEACEMAKER, and THE LAST AIRBINDER had their own activations. And “Crunchyroll Anime FanFest” was a free anime music festival held on Friday and Saturday… And all these activations were totally free, no SDCC badge required. So next year, if you don’t score a badge but still want to go, check out the off-site activations.