The lights cut out at Caesars Palace and the press room held its breath. I felt a phone vibrate—someone had a clip ready to play. You and I both know that pause means one of those big, expensive secrets is about to break.
I’ll be at CinemaCon in Las Vegas from April 13–16. You should keep an eye on these 15 items—each one could change a studio’s release calendar, or at least the way theaters sell tickets.
The first footage from The Legend of Zelda
Someone at Sony keeps a binder of stills for moments like this. We’ve only seen production photos of Link and Zelda; with a May release, CinemaCon is the natural place for Sony and Nintendo to hand exhibitors a scene that proves the film’s tone, scale, and audience pitch.
I’m watching for whether they play a scene that feels like a game come to life or like a medieval epic—either will tell you how the studios will market it to families and gamers.
When it could happen: Sony presentation, 6:30–8:30 p.m. PT Monday, April 13
When is CinemaCon and where will the big studios present?
CinemaCon runs April 13–16 at Caesars Palace. Major timed presentations to watch: Sony on Monday night, Warner Bros. on Tuesday evening, Universal and Paramount midweek, and Disney closing on Thursday.
The future of Marvel
At a Disney rehearsal, producers huddled over a whiteboard full of logos. Avengers: Doomsday will anchor the presentation, but you should expect subtle breadcrumbs about X-Men, Blade, or a multiverse stitch—enough to make theater owners plan bookings and audiences plan their next streaming nap.
Disney will juggle CinemaCon with D23 and Comic-Con, so don’t expect full road maps—think hints and stringed clues, like sparks on a fuse that tell you where the fire starts.
When it could happen: Disney presentation, 2:30–4:30 p.m. PT Thursday, April 16
More on the plot of Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Backstage at a Sony screening, someone scribbled “stakes” on a Post-it. The first trailer set tone and character, but exhibitors and fans want to know the villain, the emotional arc, and whether this Spider-Man changes the franchise’s rules.
If Sony leans into a big reveal—cast cameo, a multiversal hook, or the main antagonist—it becomes a line-driving moment for summer sales.
When it could happen: Sony presentation, 6:30–8:30 p.m. PT Monday, April 13
Anything beyond Star Wars: Starfighter
At Disney’s rehearsal, the stage crew moved a model X-wing like it was a prop from a museum. Expect clips from The Mandalorian and Grogu and likely footage of Star Wars: Starfighter. What I’m curious about is whether Disney teases what comes after—new directors, different eras, or streaming-first strategies.
When it could happen: Disney presentation, 2:30–4:30 p.m. PT Thursday, April 16
Will Marvel reveal Phase 6 details at CinemaCon?
Possibly. Don’t expect a full Phase timetable; expect confirmations and the occasional poster-perfect moment that signals studio intent—casting, titles, and theaters-only strategies that feed both PR and presales.
An update on Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
At last year’s CinemaCon, the room went quiet when the first frames rolled. The Spider-Verse franchise has used this stage for major reveals. After last year’s footage, Sony could present another sequence or a marketing plan that shows how they’ll sell an animated tentpole in multiplexes.
When it could happen: Sony presentation, 6:30–8:30 p.m. PT Monday, April 13
What’s the story of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil?
At recent test screenings, audiences murmured at moments that weren’t in earlier trailers. Test screenings mean marketing is shaping up; CinemaCon is where studios hand exhibitors the trailer that syncs release strategy and box-office expectations.
If Sony rolls a first full trailer, expect it to show whether Cregger leaned horror, action, or something more genre-mixing after his success with Weapons.
When it could happen: Sony presentation, 6:30–8:30 p.m. PT Monday, April 13
First footage from Clayface
In a Warner rehearsal, a wardrobe table held multiple prosthetic heads. Warner Bros. will spotlight Supergirl, but Clayface is also on the schedule this year—so footage or a tone reel could appear, and maybe a nod to Man of Tomorrow.
For exhibitors that means decisions about how to position DC’s varied slate against Marvel and other tentpoles.
When it could happen: Warner Bros. presentation, 4:30–6:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, April 14
The plot of J.J. Abrams’ new movie
At a Warner soundcheck, someone hummed the score. J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond is marketing-ready and due this fall; CinemaCon is a prime place to show a scene that explains the film’s emotional center and box-office tilt.
Glen Powell’s involvement and Abrams’ name make this a sales moment for theaters aiming to sell event cinema.
When it could happen: Warner Bros. presentation, 4:30–6:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, April 14
Anything on The Batman Part II
A production assistant at Warner unzipped a leather jacket and said “they start this year.” Warners announced the sequel in 2022; with shooting slated later in the year, CinemaCon could offer a briefing—even a casting hint—or save the full reveal for 2026’s run.
When it could happen: Warner Bros. presentation, 4:30–6:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, April 14
Who is returning for Fast Forever?
Vin Diesel’s team has traditionally used CinemaCon for spectacle. With word that the 11th Fast film is moving forward, he could appear to confirm cast returns and the franchise’s tone—information that drives overseas bookings and event screenings.
When it could happen: Universal presentation, 4:00–6:00 p.m. PT Wednesday, April 15
Official news on the Lord of the Rings movies
At Warner’s strategy table, someone circled The Hunt for Gollum. The recently announced second live-action Lord of the Rings film could be fleshed out, but more likely exhibitors will hear production updates for the 2027 release.
Expect statements about creative teams, release windows, and international distribution plans that affect pre-sale strategies.
When it could happen: Warner Bros. presentation, 4:30–6:30 p.m. PT Tuesday, April 14
Anything on Star Trek
Paramount execs quietly reviewed franchise pitch decks in a hallway. Star Trek remains a box-office lever; if new leadership wants to reassure theaters, they could outline upcoming films, distribution windows, and whether theatrical exclusivity will be part of the plan.
When it could happen: Paramount presentation, 9:45–11:30 a.m. PT Thursday, April 16
Are those Avatar sequels happening?
A trade reporter texted me “eyes on James Cameron” this week. Disney will address Avatar: Fire and Ash for 2025, and could confirm whether more sequels remain on the slate. After recent reporting, expect careful language—confirmation or quiet retreat.
When it could happen: Disney presentation, 2:30–4:30 p.m. PT Thursday, April 16
Anything on the new film from the Daniels
At an indie party, someone mentioned Ryan Gosling’s brief attachment. The Daniels have been silent since their Oscar run; a CinemaCon tease would tell theater owners whether this is a multiplex play or a prestige festival rollout.
When it could happen: Universal presentation, 4:00–6:00 p.m. PT Wednesday, April 15
First footage from Godzilla Minus Zero
The State of the Industry slot is stacked with footage teasers. This one’s been announced and it’s scheduled: Toho’s new Godzilla entry will get a first look that answers how the franchise returns to theaters and which international windows it will target.
When it will happen: State of the Industry presentation, 9:00–11:00 a.m. PT Tuesday, April 14
I’ll be reporting from the floor—tracking the moments that make headlines on Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter, and scanning social metrics on Twitter and Mastodon as clips hit. You’ll be able to spot the winners by how studios pair footage with release dates, talent appearances, and exhibitor-friendly marketing.
Which single announcement will change how studios program 2026 and 2027 theatrical calendars—are you betting on Marvel, Disney, Warner, or an unexpected indie shock from the Daniels?