Comic-Con 2018: The Best Film and TV Activations Worth the Wait

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Image Credit: Brandon Means/FOX

If you think Comic-Con is all about sitting in conference rooms watching panels, think again. Some of the most exciting moments experienced by attendees this year took place outside the walls of the convention center and put the “active” in activation (sorry), challenging pop culture fans with escape rooms, trivia challenges, and other wackiness. Here were some of the best experiences IndieWire encountered this week — out-of-the-box thinking that drew us into the worlds of our favorite films and shows.
Purge City

How will you celebrate your Purge Night? And do you have everything you need to get through the night? If don’t, thank USA Network for bringing the Purge City supply store to Comic-Con, where with a budget of 20 Purge Bucks you can get everything you need to celebrate the night right.
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” Ship of the Imagination Experience

Image Credit: Frank Micelotta

An immersive theatrical experience located on the back lawn of the convention center transported attendees into the stars for this preview of the Neil deGrasse Tyson-hosted science series
“Bob’s Burgers”

Image Credit: IndieWire

The fan favorite Fox animated comedy offered a true service to the convention: Delicious Shake Shack cuisine (with, of course, a “Bob’s Burgers” touch).
“Sacred Lies”: Escape Room

The upcoming Facebook Watch drama challenged participants to engage with a new way of living at the center of the series — with a series of puzzles that revealed the darkness at this secret order.
“Jack Ryan”

Image Credit: IndieWire

The upcoming Amazon Prime series set up an installation where visitors could explore the world of the show and be tested for both their physical and mental abilities using some truly cutting edge technology.
“Demolition Man”/Taco Bell 2032

Image Credit: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images for Taco Bell.

In the future, remember, all restaurants are Taco Bell. That’s at least according to the film “Demolition Man,” which partnered with Taco Bell to create a 2032-era restaurant for fans who wanted to sample the food of the future. Even Wesley Snipes stopped by!
“The Passage”

Image Credit: Frank Micelotta

Not the most active of activations, but still fun: The upcoming Fox supernatural drama teased its midseason premiere by putting one of its test subjects on display, seen here with “The Passage” star Saniyya Sidney.
FXHIBITION 2018

Image Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for FX Networks

A celebration of FX’s current line-up included the opportunity to get inside Archer’s head, a descent into the craziness of “Legion,” a look at the crazy artifacts of “American Horror Story,” and a taste of what to expect from the new season of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
“Ready Player One”

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To get excited about the home video release of the ’80s-obsessed action film, attendees were given plenty of cool selfie opportunities, including in a hallway designed to mimic the infamous hotel from “The Shining.”
The Human Claw Machine

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You know how claw machines can be frustrating because you’ll get your position perfect, but the claw just doesn’t grab hard enough? Why not eliminate the middleman and become the claw yourself in order to score some Syfy swag?
Castle Rock B&B

Image Credit: IndieWire

No telling what horrors could be found inside this spooky hotel mashing up Stephen King’s greatest works when attendees were invited to check in…

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Purge City

“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” Ship of the Imagination Experience

“Bob’s Burgers”

“Sacred Lies”: Escape Room

“Jack Ryan”

“Demolition Man”/Taco Bell 2032

“The Passage”

FXHIBITION 2018

“Ready Player One”

The Human Claw Machine

Castle Rock B&B