Comic book conventions have evolved into pop culture shows, so it's no surprise that in its third year the burgeoning New York Comic Con has an unprecedented line up of movie-related sneak peaks and screenings.  The fact that so many major contemporary movies are based on comic books is obviously behind much of the emphasis on movies, and at the NYCC The Spirit, Wanted, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk and Speed Racer will all be featured.

Writer-director Frank Miller and star Eva Mendes will appear at a panel on Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit, which will provide fans with a first look at the film via the world premiere of the teaser trailer for the film, which opens next January.

Universal is sponsoring panels on Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (with director Guillermo del Toro, creator Mike Mignola and host of film's stars) and Wanted (with writer Mark Millar and director Timur Bekmambetov).

Marvel Studios has a panel on its new Hulk film with director Lous Leterrier and producers Gale Anne Hurd and Kevin Feige, while Warner Bros. will be providing previews of the manga-based Speed Racer and the new Batman film, The Dark Knight.

A number of key films without comic book pedigrees will also be showcased at the NYCC including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, X-Files 2, The Chronicles of Narnia 2: Prince Caspian, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Special, and two animated films, the Weinstein Company's mad scientist saga Igor, and Pixar's robot epic Wall-E.

A number of TV shows will also be spotlighted including Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Ghost Hunters, Eli Stone, Starship Troopers: Marauder, The Mighty B, Trenches and Back at the Barnyard.