#FIRSTLOOK: FAN EXPO CANADA TORONTO 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

Fan Expo Canada Toronto 2026 was one for the books, literally! With hours extended due to overwhelming demand, attendance numbers were on target for a record-smashing success. The four-day event which takes place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre typically draws about 130k people in a celebration of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada. This in fact, is Canada’s largest event event of its kind, and also the third largest Pop Culture event in North America. You had to be there!

The starpower this year was unmatch, definitely helping boost interest in the event even further than the buzz it gets. Names like John Cena, Mark Hamill, Alan Ritchson, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Denise Richards, Brenton Thwaites, Mr. T and several more, graced us with their presence this year.

Comic fans also got a chance to meet their favourite Artists and order commissioned pieces, there was a fantastic array hard-to-find merchandise available for purchase across both North and South buildings of the Centre, and better and more immersive than ever were activations including ones for upcoming films The Hunger Games: Sunrise on The Reaping, tiff ’26 selection The Stunt Driver, and Godzilla Minus One. The Disney Consumer Products activation immersed fans into the worlds of Toy Story, Spider-Man, and Star Wars, giving them the chance to get professional-quality photo shoots with props! eBay made their presence felt with wizards randomly popping-up throughout the convention, stamping passports for attendees, which gave them a chance to get site-wide credits to shop.

Some highlights from the event:

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Fan Expo Canada Toronto‘s hottest ticket Photo Op this year – one day only – definitely was John Cena, who draw a large crowd, requiring an allocated room specifically for him. And we get why! Sporting a T-Shirt and Shorts, Cena was candid and friendly with his adoring fans, making them feel “cen” and heard!

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PANELS

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS with MAY HONG AND JI-YOUNG YOO

May Hong, who voices Mira in this two-time Oscar-winning Animated Feature told the audience that her biggest inspiration is Hank Azaria, calling him “such an icon”. On what she’s most excited to try in this visit to Canada, she reveals, “I want ketchup chips!”.

Ji-Young Yoo, who voices Zoey says recalls a very long audition process for the Film, as the Creators kept adding scenes and admits she only realized at the end of her work on it, “Wait! We just made a musical!”.

MEL GIBSON

The double Oscar-winner teased the audience at his panel that LETHAL WEAPON 5 might have him helming, with Danny Glover reprising his role.

He recalls a time he chat with Kevin Costner who gave him the advice to “go big”, and Gibson ran with that, channeling this into his iconic Braveheart performance, which won him an Oscar as Director.

STARSHIP TROOPERS REUNION

Dean Norris who plays Commanding Officer, reflects on the cult favourite film’s iconic co-ed shower scene, joking “The world’s a better place because of the shower scene”. He also adds context to one of the Film’s most memorable lines “You sucked his brains dry”, which was an homage to David Cronenberg and Scanners.

Denise Richards reveals that she gets a lot of flack to this day for her character Carmen Ibanez leaving Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien). She indicates that her character broke-up with him to protect him. She identifies a lot with her character, who is career-driven.

FRANK MILLER & KLAUS JANSON

Frank Miller, Comic Artist, explains his controversial move to add Superman to his iconic The Dark Knight Returns book, saying simply “Because I could”. The only equal opponent Batman could have is Superman.

Klaus Janson, Comic Artist, reveals that Miller had an option of keeping him on and kept him and feels the work they did together over three years on Daredevil was phenomenal.

X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES

Randall Carpenter who voices Mystique reveals that Fan Expo Canada is her first ever fan convention, and because she’s a big family person, hearing fan stories of childhood memories of the series, has extra-special significance to her.

George Buza who voices Beast/Dr. Hank McCoy, calling his character a “cold, calculating scientist and a proponent of the movement of co-existence between humankind and mutants”. He recalls a pivotal turning point for his character on the series where he was reduced to a puddle of tears, after falling in love, he comes more human than mutant.

THE GOONIES

The Cast of Goonies reunited and were asked the fun question, what Ice Cream flavour they’d want to be. Sean Astin reveals his favourite Ice Cream flavour is Mint Chip. Corey Feldman says his is Pralines & Cream. Kerri Green says hers is Strawberry.

In case you missed it, or already are missing it, Fan Expo Canada Toronto returns August 26–29, 2027. Mark your calendars.

FanExpoHQ.com for more.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Justin Waldman/Danila Neves/Angela McLean)