This past weekend nerds and fans of pop culture descended upon the nation’s capital for Awesome Con 2025.
Every year Awesome Con brings fans of pop culture together to celebrate with fellow fans, meet their favorite celebrities, sit in on panels discussing their favorite films/tv series and more. It’s truly an Awesome (pun intended) time for anyone.
This year featured a heavy hitter’s lineup of guests which featured a Goonies Reunion of Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Joe Pantoliano, and Robert Davi. Their panel dove into tales about filming, who was the only kid that got to jump from the pirate ship? and a great story about crashing Dick Donners vacation after the film.
Simon Pegg & Nick Frost came to D.C. this year and discussed all things nerd. Simon discussed the hope for a Star Trek 4 while Nick Frost couldn’t comment on if he is or isn’t Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, he did talk about being in the live action How to Train your Dragon film coming out. (Sidebar: I did the Shaun of the Dead photo op and got both of their autographs.)
Orlando Bloom & Liv Tyler joined the fun along with other Lord of the Rings stars John Rhys Davies and Sean Astin (who wasn’t scheduled to be on the panel but still joined them on stage). The four of them discussed all things Lord of the Rings from being willing to do anything for Peter Jackson if he called to return and sharing great stories about being on set.
Other panels on the Main Stage included a Blues Clues celebration and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If you’re into animation and anime they had you covered as well with voice actors like Cristina Vee, Wes Johnson, Tara Sands, Mela Lee, Ross Marquand and more in attendance.
You can hear more of my Awesome Con 2025 recap below:
Stream episode Awesome Con 2025 Recap by FM99 WNOR podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Awesome Con is set to return March 13-15, 2026.