The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films celebrated the best in genre storytelling during the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, held March 8 at the Universal Hilton in Universal City. The annual ceremony honored achievements across film and television while recognizing several influential figures whose work has shaped science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash emerged as the night’s most awarded film, taking home Best Science Fiction Film along with Best Film Direction, Best Film Screenwriting, and Best Visual/Special Effects. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also made a strong showing, earning Best Action/Adventure Film, with Tom Cruise winning Best Actor in a Film. Wicked: For Good received the award for Best Fantasy Film, while Netflix’s Frankenstein was named Best Horror Film.
In television, Lucasfilm’s Andor led the winners, receiving Best Science Fiction Television Series. Diego Luna won Best Actor in a Television Series for his role in the series, while Stellan Skarsgård received Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series. Sony Pictures Television and Apple’s Pluribus also had a notable night, earning Best New Genre Television Series. Rhea Seehorn was awarded Best Actress in a Television Series and Karolina Wydra won Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for the show.
Additional television winners included Outlander for Best Fantasy Television Series, It: Welcome to Derry for Best Horror Television Series, Dexter: Resurrection for Best Thriller Television Series, and Peacemaker for Best Superhero Television Series.
The ceremony also featured several special honors. Tom Cruise presented the Visionary Award to filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, recognizing his work as a director, writer, and producer, including his collaborations with Cruise on the Mission: Impossible films.
In a surprise moment during the ceremony, George Lucas received the Dr. Donald A. Reed Founder’s Award. The honor was presented by Mark Hamill, recognizing Lucas’s lasting influence on the genre and his role in creating the Star Wars saga.
The Saturn Hall of Fame Award commemorating the 60th anniversary of Star Trek was accepted by William Shatner, Rod Roddenberry, and Alex Kurtzman, with presentations by Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, and Robert Picardo.
The George Pal Memorial Award marking the 40th anniversary of Aliens was presented by Guillermo del Toro to James Cameron, producer Gale Anne Hurd, Michael Biehn, and members of the film’s cast.
Additional honors included the Lance Reddick Legacy Award, presented by Laurence Fishburne to Titus Welliver, and the Robert Forster Artist’s Award presented by Paul Bettany to writer-producer Terry Matalas.
The Spotlight Award recognized the cast and creative team behind the series The Boys, including Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, Jack Quaid, Eric Kripke, Laz Alonso, Jessie T. Usher, Nathan Mitchell, Karen Fukuhara, and Colby Minifie.
The Saturn Awards continue to highlight the creators, performers, and productions driving the evolution of science fiction, fantasy, and horror across film and television.
Film Winners
Best Science Fiction Film
Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios / Lightstorm)
Best Fantasy Film
Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
Best Horror Film
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Best Cinematic Film Adaptation
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Studios)
Best Thriller Film
Sinners (Warner Bros.)
Best Action/Adventure Film
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount Pictures)
Best Actor in a Film
Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Best Actress in a Film
Elle Fanning – Predator: Badlands
Best Supporting Actor in a Film
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Best Supporting Actress in a Film
Sigourney Weaver – Dust Bunny
Best Younger Performer in a Film
Jack Champion – Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Film Direction
James Cameron – Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Film Screenwriting
James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver – Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Visual/Special Effects
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Daniel Barrett, Eric Saindon – Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Film Music
Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – Tron: Ares
Best Film Production Design
Kasra Farahani, Jille Azis – The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Best Film Make-Up
Mike Hill, Megan Many – Frankenstein
Best Film Editing
Michael P. Shawyer – Sinners
Best Film Costume
Kate Hawley – Frankenstein
Best Independent Film
Dust Bunny (Roadside Attractions / Lionsgate)
Best International Film
Sisu 2: Road to Revenge (Screen Gems / Sony Pictures)
Best Animated Film
Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios)
Best International Animated Film
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Crunchyroll / Sony Pictures)
Television Winners
Best Science Fiction Television Series
Andor (Lucasfilm)
Best Fantasy Television Series
Outlander (Starz / Sony Pictures Television)
Best Horror Television Series
It: Welcome to Derry (HBO / Warner Bros. Television)
Best New Genre Television Series
Pluribus (Sony Pictures Television / Apple)
Best Action/Adventure Television Series
Duster (Bad Robot / Warner Bros. Television)
Best Thriller Television Series
Dexter: Resurrection (Showtime / Paramount+)
Best Superhero Television Series
Peacemaker (Warner Bros. Television / DC Studios)
Best Television Presentation or Limited Series
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC)
Best Animated Television Series or Event
Predator: Killer of Killers (Hulu / 20th Century Studios)
Best Actor in a Television Series
Diego Luna – Andor
Best Actress in a Television Series
Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series
Stellan Skarsgård – Andor
Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series
Karolina Wydra – Pluribus
Best Guest Star in a Television Series
Dave Dastmalchian – Dexter: Resurrection
Best Younger Performer in a Television Series
Ravi Cabot-Conyers – Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Home Media
Best Classic Film Home Media Release
Frailty (Lionsgate Home Video)
Best 4K Home Media Release
Wicked (Universal)
Best Home Media Collection Release
The Pink Panther Peter Sellers Comedy Collection (Kino Lorber)
Best Television Home Media Release
Chucky: The Complete Series (Universal)
