San Diego Comic-Con 2017 may be behind us, but the debate over the con’s best moments is just heating up. We’re adding our fuel to the fire with this definitive list of the best things we experienced at SDCC this year. How do they compare to your personal picks?
Maximum Hype
Winner: Stranger Things Season 2
Netflix cranked up the hype for last year’s surprise cultural juggernaut Stranger Things to fever pitch by dropping a new trailer for Season 2, hitting the service on October 27. The trailer doubles down on the ’80s cultural touchstones — Ghostbusters! Dragon’s Lair! Reagan/Bush campaign signs! — all set to a synth-tastic remix of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Bonus hype for the on-point editing that syncs up the iconic “Thriller” spoken word with images from the upcoming season. Notice how “blood” lands just as a bloody handprint appears onscreen?
Runner-up: Justice League
With reports of last minute reshoots, DC fans were worried that they wouldn’t get a preview of the highly anticipated Justice League film. Not only were they treated to a 4-minute trailer with new footage, stars Ben Affleck, Ray Fisher, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller took the stage and later signed autographs. Oh, and Gadot basically confirmed Superman (Henry Cavill) will be in the movie (as did the poster).
Sleeper Hit
Winner: Brigsby Bear
A talking teddy bear seemed more like fodder for a toy convention than Comic-Con, but Brigsby Bear — an upcoming movie starring SNL‘s Kyle Mooney a man-child whose whole world centers around a bizarre children’s television show — was endearing and made many new fans.
Runner-up: Ready Player One
The first look at Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One unexpectedly broke the internet thanks to its many pop culture references. We spotted Freddy Kreuger, Akira’s bike, The Iron Giant, the Back to the Future DeLorean, and more. Did you catch them all?
Best Celebrity Moment
Winner: Halle Berry
The actress proved to be the queen of the Kingsman: The Golden Circle panel by seemingly downing a glass of whiskey (it was later reported to be apple juice).
HALLE BERRY CHUGGED HER DAMN WHISKEY 🥃pic.twitter.com/mPySdhQbNp
— Complex Pop Culture (@ComplexPop) July 20, 2017
Runner-up: Charlize Theron
The Atomic Blonde actress stopped by a screening of her upcoming action flick and took selfies with the attendees — all donning blonde wigs.
Show Floor Standout
Winner: The Walking Dead booth
A massive compound that housed walkers (and later, the cast as they signed autographs), attendees were afraid the chain link fences would fall and the undead would flood the floor. Oh, and fans could get a photo with Ezekiel’s giant tiger, Shiva.
The Walking Dead booth #SDCC2017 @Comic_Con pic.twitter.com/ffjKFiTu6D
— The Okie Doke Show (@TheOkieDokeShow) July 20, 2017
Runner-up: Mondo booth
Incredible artwork and figures were on display as creators signed autographs.
Outstanding Offsite
Winner: Blade Runner 2049 experience
This immersive offsite featured a futuristic set, replicant testing and full-scale spinner cars from the upcoming sequel.
Runner-up: The Gifted DNA test
Testing of a different sort was being done at The Gifted offsite, where you could see if you were a mutant or not with an actual DNA test.
Overall Champ, SDCC 2017
Winner: Warner Bros.
With the 1-2 punch of Ready Player One and Justice League, as well previews of Aquaman and Blade Runner 2049, Warner Bros. was a fanboy/girl’s dream and the clear winner.
Runner-up: Marvel
The new Thor: Ragnarok trailer went viral, but only the lucky few in Hall H were able to get a glimpse of Black Panther and Infinity War.
