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:

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!

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)

Ahead of the highly anticipated release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate and Cineplex Pictures announce all five films in The Hunger Games franchise will return to theatres for a limited engagement from September 3–7. Each screening will include an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming film, which opens in theatres on November 20.

The Hunger Games will play in theatres on Sept. 3, followed by Catching Fire on Sept. 4, Mockingjay — Part 1 on Sept. 5, Mockingjay — Part 2 on Sept. 6 and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on Sept. 7. The films are returning to theatres from Lionsgate and Cineplex Pictures and tickets will be on sale soon.

The upcoming film, Sunrise on the Reaping, takes place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) during the Second Quarter Quell. Also starring are Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak and Francis Lawrence directs and produces the film, with a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson also serve as producers.

Based on the book series by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games was first adapted to film in 2012 with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, with Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel following future president Coriolanus Snow, released in 2023 and starred Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis.

Based on the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins, published by Scholastic, and released by Lionsgate Entertainment, The Hunger Games is a global blockbuster film franchise that has spawned five record-breaking films that collectively have grossed over $3.4 billion at the global box office. The films boast a star-studded cast including Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Academy Award® nominee Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland. The world of The Hunger Games that Suzanne Collins created continues to grow as theme park attractions, experiences, and live events including The World of the Hunger Games at Motiongate Dubai and a major stage production set to debut in London from Olivier Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson (Girl from the North Country) and directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22—A Ghost Story, Hangmen, The Pillowman).

About Lionsgate:
Lionsgate (NYSE: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a Canadian film distributor specializing in theatrical releases across various genres. Past releases include Michael, The Housemaid, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, The Queen of My Dreams, John Wick: Chapter 4, and The Boy and the Heron, with upcoming titles such as, Godzilla Minus Zero and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping among others.

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING IS IN THEATRES ACROSS CANADA NOVEMBER 20, 2026 via Cineplex Pictures. Today we get a new Featurette!

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Billy Ray
Based on the Novel by: Suzanne Collins
Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence
Cast: Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Iona Bell, Laura Marcus, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Ben Wang, Lili Taylor,
Whitney Peak, Molly McCann, and Billy Porter
Synopsis: THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a Canadian film distributor specializing in theatrical releases across various genres. Past releases include Michael, The Housemaid, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, The Queen of My Dreams, John Wick: Chapter 4, and The Boy and the Heron, with upcoming titles such as, Godzilla Minus Zero and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping among others.

Today, we get a new Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING.

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Billy Ray
Based on the Novel by: Suzanne Collins
Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence
Cast: Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Iona Bell, Laura Marcus, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Ben Wang, Lili Taylor, Whitney Peak, Molly McCann, and Billy Porter
Synopsis: THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a Canadian film distributor specializing in theatrical releases across various genres. Past releases include The Housemaid, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, The Queen of My Dreams, John Wick: Chapter 4, and The Boy and the Heron, with upcoming titles such as Michael, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping among others.

It’s all WONKA, driving Moviegoers to the Box Office this weekend with $35 million from 4,203 theatres. This latest take on the famtastical Chocolatier with star Timothée Chalamet doing promoting around the world including a stop in Toronto this week, gets 85% on the Tomatometer.

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES is a distant second with $6 million from 3,291 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures taking it to $145 million domestically.

THE BOY AND THE HERON is third with $4.5 million, taking it to $22.3 million in its second weekend for GKIDS and Cineplex Pictures.

Fourth goes to GODZILLA MINUS ONE with $4.4 million from 2,622 theatres for Toho, a total $33.7 million grossed in North America. This is a huge feat for Japanese Cinema, boasting two films in the Top Five this weekend.

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER rounds the Top Five out with $4 million, taking it to $88 million for Universal Pictures.

TIFF ’23 opening night selection THE BOY AND THE HERON leads a slow weekend at the Box Office with $10.7 million from 2,100 theatres for GKIDS and Cineplex Pictures. The latest from Anime legend Hayao Miyazaki gets 95% on the Tomatometer.

Second is THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES is second with $8.7 million, a total $134.9 million for Lionsgate and Cineplex Pictures.

Landing in third is GODZILLA MINUS ONE with $6.4 million, a total of $23.4 million over two weekends for Toho International.

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER takes fourth with $6 million, a total $82 million for Universal Pictures domestically.

Rounding it all out is RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ, last week’s champ, coming in with $5.2 million for AMC/Cineplex Pictures.

The Beyhive rule the Box Office this weekend with RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ taking top spot in its debut for AMC/Cineplex Pictures with $25 million from 2,539 theatres. The Concert Film gets 100% on the Tomatometer.

In second is THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES with $14.8 million for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures, a total gross of $121.5 million in its third weekend.

Japanese Action-Adventure GODZILLA MINUS ONE debuts in third with $10 million for Toho International from 2,308 theatres, garnering an impressive 97% on the Tomatometer.

Fourth goes to Disney‘s WISH with $7.6 million from 3,900 theatres, a two week total of $42.1 million.

Rounding things out is NAPOLEON with $7.4 million for Apple Original Films/Sony Pictures, a total $46 million.

For a second straight weekend, it’s THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES, taking top spot at the Box Office, dominating U.S. Thanksgiving weekend with $29 million Friday to Sunday, from 3,776 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures, already surpassing $100 million domestically.

Debuting in second is Disney’s WISH with $20.5 million from 3,900 theatres. It gets 50% on the Tomatometer.

Third is NAPOLEON with $19.6 million from 3,500 theatres for Apple Original Films/Sony Pictures with 62% on the Tomatometer for Director Sir Ridley Scott.

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER gets fourth with $15.4 million from 3,870 theatres for Universal Pictures, a two week run of $62.3 million.

Rounding it all out is THANKSGIVING with $10 million from 3,204 theatres for Sony Pictures.

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES has a respectable debut this weekend with $44 million from 3,776 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures. This Prequel, made for $100 million, gets 60% on the Tomatometer and while far off the Franchise best with 2013’s Catching Fire openining with $158 million, times are very different right as Hollywood is navigating its way out of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER debuts in second spot with $30.6 million from 3,870 theatres for Universal Pictures, garnering 59% on the Tomatometer. Best opening in the Franchise still goes to 2016’s TROLLS with $46 million.

THE MARVELS lands in third in its second weekend with $10.2 million from 4,030 theatres for Disney, a two week domestic total of $67 million.

Toronto-made THANKSGIVING debuts with $10 million from 3,204 theatres for Sony Pictures, nabbing an impressive 86% on the Tomatometer for Director Eli Roth.

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S rounds out the Top Five with $3.5 million, a total $132 million grossed over four weekends for Universal Pictures.

Arriving November 17, 2023, THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES continues a massive legacy in a record-breaking franchise. Today we get a new Trailer.

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Michael Arndt, Michael Lesslie
Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence
Executive Produced by: Suzanne Collins, Mika Saito, Jim Miller, Tim Palen
Based on the novel by: Suzanne Collins
Cast: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, Jason Schwartzman, Viola Davis
Story: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the one-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.

(Photo/video credit: Cineplex Pictures)