Convention - SDCC 2025 : AMC Networks Brings Clown in a Cornfield, The Walking Dead, and Anne Rice's Universe to Life

By Mulder, 10 july 2025

As anticipation builds for San Diego Comic-Con 2025, one name looms large over the convention schedule—AMC Networks, returning in full force with an unrivaled lineup of panels, immersive experiences, and sneak peeks from its most celebrated franchises. From the European ruins of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon to the baroque grandeur of the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, and culminating in the blood-spattered Americana of Clown in a Cornfield, AMC’s presence this year promises to be a dynamic, fan-first immersion into the universes that have defined the streaming and television landscape. With events spread across Hall H, Ballroom 20, and a custom horror activation at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, SDCC 2025 is shaping up to be more than a convention for AMC—it’s a battleground of myth, murder, and masterful storytelling waiting to unfold.

Among the most buzzed-about attractions, Clown in a Cornfield: The Experience will debut Thursday, July 24 and run through Saturday, July 26. Open from 12PM to 8PM daily, this chilling fan activation invites brave attendees to step directly into the twisted heartland of Adam Cesare’s breakout novel and its film adaptation, directed by Eli Craig and starring rising scream queen Katie Douglas. Located on the Hilton’s terrace, the experience begins with the deceptively festive Founders Day parade before descending into the film’s iconic corn maze—a terrifying labyrinth where the homicidal clown Frendo lies in wait. Those lucky enough to survive the terror are welcomed at the Shudder Survivors Party, an eerie celebration that combines immersive fan service with exclusive giveaways, photo ops, and a palpable sense of adrenaline-fueled camaraderie. Timed perfectly with the film’s streaming debut on Shudder and AMC+ on August 8, this activation is expected to be a must-see experience, continuing AMC’s tradition of creating truly unforgettable off-site horror events that fans talk about for years.

But AMC’s contributions go far beyond one horrifying maze. On Friday, July 25, the legendary Hall H will host The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon panel from 12:15PM to 1:15PM, marking the series’ explosive return for its third season. Filmed entirely in Spain and premiering September 7, this season pushes Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus, and Carol Peletier, portrayed by Melissa McBride, into darker, more mythic territory as they battle through uncharted post-apocalyptic landscapes in search of home. The panel will feature Scott M. Gimple, David Zabel, and Greg Nicotero alongside its two lead stars, and promises to debut the official season trailer, giving fans their first look at what lies ahead. Expectations are sky-high, as this season marks the emotional reunion of Daryl and Carol—a relationship that has remained the series’ beating heart across a decade of zombie-infested television. AMC is betting big on the enduring resonance of these characters, and the Hall H crowd is guaranteed to reward them with thunderous applause.

Later that day, horror takes center stage once more in Room 5AB with The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror panel at 4:30PM. This discussion brings together some of the most influential creatives in the genre, including Tina Romero (Queens of the Dead), Akela Cooper (M3GAN, Malignant), Peter Kuplowsky of TIFF’s Midnight Madness, and Angel Melanson of Fangoria, for a conversation moderated by Michael Lerman, co-founder of the Overlook Film Festival. With exclusive first looks at upcoming Shudder and IFC titles, this panel positions AMC Networks not only as a tastemaker in horror but as a key incubator of tomorrow’s cult classics.

Ballroom 20 on Saturday, July 26 is AMC’s gothic stronghold, with a double-feature panel dedicated to its Anne Rice Immortal Universe. Beginning at 4:30PM, fans will be introduced to the upcoming series Anne Rice’s Talamasca, the long-awaited story of the secret society charged with surveilling the supernatural. Mark Johnson, who oversees the entire Immortal Universe, will be joined by showrunners John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty, along with cast members Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner, Celine Buckens, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. A teaser trailer will be unveiled, offering the first glimpse into a world of arcane relics, hidden orders, and the delicate politics of controlling monsters. This will be followed immediately by a panel for the returning Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now entering a bold new phase of its storytelling. Sam Reid reprises his role as the enigmatic Lestat, now a rockstar on tour, exploring the erotic and psychological chaos of immortality on the road. Joining Reid on stage will be Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Rolin Jones, and composer Daniel Hart, with exclusive content from the new season and revelations sure to thrill long-time fans of the Rice legacy.

On the literary and creative side of the con, the Leave Them in Suspense panel opens the festivities on Thursday, July 24 at 11:00AM in Room 23ABC. Adam Cesare joins writers like Max Allan Collins, Ted Van Alst Jr., Arvind Ethan David, and Delilah S. Dawson for an in-depth conversation on tension-building, suspense, and the line between horror and mystery. Moderated by Dr. Betty Ramirez, this panel is especially anticipated for Cesare’s insights into adapting Clown in a Cornfield from novel to film, and the collaborative process with Eli Craig and Katie Douglas that helped breathe new cinematic life into his killer clown.

Later that evening, the focus shifts to female-fronted genre storytelling during Collider’s Ladies Night After Dark panel at 6:45PM in Ballroom 20. Hosted by Perri Nemiroff, the panel features Katie Douglas and Hassie Harrison, stars of Clown in a Cornfield and Dangerous Animals, respectively, as well as Alexandra Shipp, Dafne Keen, and Sophie Nélisse, all starring in upcoming Shudder and IFC projects. This discussion is poised to be one of Comic-Con’s most empowering genre panels, lifting the veil on the evolving role of women in horror, both behind and in front of the camera.

For AMC Networks, SDCC 2025 isn’t just about marketing shows—it’s about nurturing community. As Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios, stated in the official press notes, Comic-Con remains “the ultimate celebration of fandom,” and AMC is leaning into that truth with everything it has. From slasher screams in the Hilton corn maze to orchestral ballads of immortal despair in Ballroom 20, every beat of the company’s programming this year is about building emotional bridges between fans and the stories they love. Whether you're dodging Frendo’s machete, sitting front row for a Lestat guitar solo, or finally watching Daryl and Carol share a moment of peace, AMC ensures that you won’t just be watching—you’ll be part of it.

Activation : 
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) )

Fan Screening : 
Clown in a cornfield Fan Screening on Friday, July 25, 10:30pm, Marriott Film Room, Marriott Marquis  

Panels : 
- The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon panel on Friday, July 25, 12:15-1:15pm, Hall H 
-  Anne Rice Immortal Universe Panel on Saturday, July 26, 4:30-6:00pm, Ballroom 20 
- Collider Ladies Night After Dark - The Women of the IFC Entertainment Group on Thursday, July 24, 6:45-7:45pm, Ballroom 20    
-  Leave Them in Suspense Panel on Thursday, July 24, 11:00am-12:00pm, Room 23ABC 
- The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror Panel on Friday, July 25, 4:30-5:30pm, Room 5AB  

(Source : press release)