(Photo by Gramercy)

50 Movies That Defined Comic-Con

Comic-Con International: San Diego is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and across those decades a number of films have launched at the convention to various states of acclaim. Reports indicate, for example, the 1976 panel introducing Star Wars to the masses was not the draw the first meeting of the Avengers would be almost 30 years later. But in the 21st Century, the annual geek-themed festival became a bellwether for at least two huge phenomena: the Twilight Saga and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And along the way, the underlying spirit of Comic-Con – the comics themselves – inspired a number of classic films. Also, at least a few films were shot during the four day event.

The list below represents some of the most significant films tied to Comic-Con’s 50 year legacy – from a time before Christopher Reeve convinced audiences that men could fly and people around the globe wondered where Batman got his wonderful toys to our current anticipation about Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some of these films went on to change the world, others became cult classics, and a few challenged the expectations of what a Comic-Con film could be.

But each is an indelible part of the Comic-Con consciousness, from memorable panels to the eventual expensive collectibles some of these films inspired decades later. And most of them influenced the cosplay you are bound to see at the Con. From documentaries to tentpole releases, these are the films of Comic-Con. —Alex Vo