The stars are aligning for one of the biggest nights in film and TV! The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films has just dropped some massive news for the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, and the guest list is looking legendary.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 8, 2026. Joel McHale is hosting the party at the Universal Hilton, and you can catch the whole thing livestreaming at SaturnAwards.TV.
The Big Honors
This year, the Academy is celebrating the icons who built our favorite worlds and the new creators keeping them weird.
George Lucas – The Dr. Donald A. Reed Founder’s Award
The man, the myth, the legend. From Star Wars and Indiana Jones to the tech revolution of ILM, George Lucas is receiving the night’s top honor for permanently changing the DNA of cinema.
Terry Matalas – Robert Forster Artist’s Award
The mastermind behind the epic final season of Star Trek: Picard and the 12 Monkeys series is being recognized for his incredible world-building. Bonus: The award will be presented by Paul Bettany (fitting, since Matalas is showrunning the upcoming Vision series!).
The Boys – Spotlight Award
Prime Video’s diabolical hit is getting a special shout-out! Creator Eric Kripke and the cast will be on hand to accept the Spotlight Award for being the most fearless, biting satire on TV.
A Stacked House
This isn’t just an awards show; it’s a massive genre reunion. Previously announced highlights include:
-Tom Cruise presents an award to Christopher McQuarrie.
-James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Aliens.
-Laurence Fishburne honors Titus Welliver.
-Who else is showing up? Get ready for sightings of William Shatner, Bob Odenkirk, Elle Fanning, Geena Davis, Krysten Ritter, Jack Quaid, and the legendary Jonathan Frakes—to name a few!
Why the Saturns Matter
Founded in 1972, the Saturn Awards are the only major honors dedicated strictly to Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror. While other awards shows sometimes overlook “genre” movies, the Saturns put them front and center.
As Academy President Robert Holguin put it, this year is all about honoring the “legacy that built modern genre entertainment and the fearless creators shaping its future.”
Nominees
Keep an eye on the official site starting about an hour before the show (around 3:00 PM PT) for star arrivals and interviews. And you won’t want to miss Tom Cruise presenting to Christopher McQuarrie or the Aliens 40th Anniversary reunion with James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd.
The 2026 Saturn Award nominations are out, and it is a massive year for the “Big Three.” Avatar: Fire and Ash, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners are leading the pack with 12 nominations each.
On the TV side, the competition is just as fierce, with Dexter: Resurrection taking the lead with 6 nods.
Top Movie Nominees
Blockbusters and dark thrillers dominate the film categories. Here’s a look at the heavy hitters:
| Film | Notable Nominations |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | Best Sci-Fi Film, Best Director (James Cameron), Best Actress (Zoe Saldaña) |
| The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Best Cinematic Adaptation, Best Actor (Pedro Pascal), Best Supporting Actor (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) |
| Sinners | Best Thriller Film, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actress (Hailee Steinfeld) |
| Frankenstein | Best Horror Film (11 total noms), Best Actor (Oscar Isaac), Best Supporting Actor (Jacob Elordi) |
| Wicked: For Good | Best Fantasy Film, Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande) |
| Superman | Best Cinematic Adaptation, Best Director (James Gunn), Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan) |
Top Television Nominees
Genre TV had an incredible year, with streaming giants battling it out:
Dexter: Resurrection: 6 nominations (including Best Actor for Michael C. Hall).
Andor: 5 nominations (including Best Sci-Fi Series and Best Actor for Diego Luna).
Stranger Things: 5 nominations (marking the end of its final season).
It: Welcome to Derry: 5 nominations (Bill Skarsgård is back as Pennywise!).
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: 4 nominations (including Ethan Peck for Supporting Actor).
Severance: 3 nominations (Adam Scott and Britt Lower both earned acting nods).
How to Watch
The awards are set for Sunday, March 8, 2026. Traditionally, the main ceremony begins around 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET.
The Academy has launched a brand-new hub specifically for this year’s broadcast: The Official Website: SaturnAwards.TV. This is the primary destination for the worldwide livestream. It’s free to watch and will feature the full ceremony.
In previous years, the show has also streamed on the ElectricNow app and the FAST channel. If you have a Roku, Samsung TV, or Vizio, check the ElectricNow channel as a backup.
