The 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, were held tonight at the Universal Hilton in Universal City, celebrating the year’s top achievements in science fiction, fantasy, and horror across film and television. The annual ceremony recognized a wide range of creators, performers, and productions, while also honoring several influential figures and landmark works that have helped shape the genre.
Among the night’s leading winners, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash received Best Science Fiction Film, Best Film Direction, Best Film Screenwriting, and Best Visual/Special Effects. Tom Cruise was named Best Actor in a Film for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which also won Best Action/Adventure Film, while Wicked: For Good received Best Fantasy Film, and Netflix’s Frankenstein was awarded Best Horror Film.
On the television side, Lucasfilm’s Andor won Best Science Fiction Television Series, with Diego Luna receiving Best Actor in a Television Series and Stellan Skarsgård winning Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series. Sony Pictures Television and Apple’s Pluribus also had a strong showing, winning Best New Genre Television Series, with Rhea Seehorn receiving Best Actress in a Television Series and Karolina Wydra winning Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series.
Other series winners included Outlander (Best Fantasy Television Series), It: Welcome to Derry (Best Horror Television Series), Dexter: Resurrection (Best Thriller Television Series), and Peacemaker (Best Superhero Television Series).
The ceremony also featured special honors recognizing influential creators and landmark works within the genre, including Tom Cruise presenting the Visionary Award to Christopher McQuarrie, honoring the filmmaker’s work as a director, writer and producer, including his acclaimed collaborations with Cruise on the Mission: Impossible films an extraordinary creative partnership that has delivered some of the most celebrated action films of the past decade.
Another highlight of the evening came when George Lucas received the Dr. Donald A. Reed Founder’s Award, honoring his extraordinary influence on the genre and his lasting impact on cinema. In an unannounced moment during the ceremony, the award was presented by Mark Hamill, whose iconic portrayal of Luke Skywalker helped introduce audiences to Lucas’s groundbreaking Star Wars saga, creating one of the most enduring creative partnerships in film history.
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 from 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 director 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, recognizing the actor’s long-standing contributions to genre storytelling.
The Robert Forster Artist’s Award was presented by Paul Bettany to writer-producer Terry Matalas, honoring his creative leadership in contemporary science fiction television.
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.
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)
