AceShowbiz - The 53rd annual Saturn Awards took place Sunday, celebrating standout achievements in genre entertainment. The ceremony, hosted by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, featured a star-studded lineup of actors, directors, and producers from across the fantasy, science fiction, horror, superhero, and action-adventure realms.

Among the evening’s biggest winners was Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest installment from acclaimed director James Cameron. Cameron, accompanied by longtime collaborator Gale Anne Hurd, accepted multiple honors including Best Direction and Best Screenwriting alongside Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. The film secured a total of five awards, also winning Best Science Fiction Film, Best Visual/Special Effects, Younger Performer in a Film for Jack Champion, and more, solidifying its dominant presence at the event.

Another major highlight was the recognition of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which earned Best Action/Adventure Film. Tom Cruise, who attended the ceremony, received the Best Actor award for his role in the franchise’s climactic chapter. Cruise also presented the Visionary Award to Mission: Impossible collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, honoring his contributions to the series.

The ceremony also spotlighted a range of other films across categories. Sinners took home Best Thriller Film, while Wicked: For Good was named Best Fantasy Film. Netflix’s Frankenstein earned accolades as Best Horror Film and swept additional awards for costumes, makeup, and Best Supporting Actor, awarded to Jacob Elordi. The Fantastic Four’s origin story The Fantastic Four: First Steps won Best Cinematic Film Adaptation, and its production design was also recognized.

Several honorary awards were presented during the evening. Legendary filmmaker George Lucas was honored with the Dr. Donald A. Reed Founder’s Award, introduced by surprise guest Mark Hamill. In a tribute to television history, the Star Trek franchise was inducted into the Saturn Awards Hall of Fame, with William Shatner participating in the presentation. Additionally, Titus Welliver received the Lance Reddick Legacy Award, named in honor of his late co-star.

The television categories saw fierce competition as well, with two shows tying for the most wins. Pluribus and Andor each secured three awards. Pluribus was recognized as Best New Genre Television Series, with Rhea Seehorn honored as Best Actress and Karolina Wydra winning Best Supporting Actress. Meanwhile, Andor captured Best Science Fiction Television Series, along with Best Actor for Diego Luna and Best Supporting Actor for Stellan Skarsgård.

Hosted by Joel McHale at the Universal Hilton, the Saturn Awards highlighted a diverse range of genre productions, honoring both blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed independent works. The event underscored the continued popularity and creative innovation within science fiction, fantasy, horror, and beyond.

Below is the complete list of winners from the 2026 Saturn Awards:

Film Categories

• 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 Categories

• 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 Awards

• 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)

The 2026 Saturn Awards ceremony showcased the vibrant creativity and enduring appeal of genre films and television. With Avatar: Fire and Ash and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning leading the film categories and Pluribus alongside Andor dominating television honors, the event underscored the continued strength of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in popular culture.