Last week, the 53rd annual Saturn Awards took place in Los Angeles, California. Named after the Roman name of Greek god Cronus, the Saturn Awards are awarded to the best science fiction, fantasy and horror films/series of the year. There are many films and series at the Saturn Awards that use Greek mythology in some form to tell their story, and we cover them in our blog. You can see our coverage of Greek mythology at the 52nd Saturn Awards if you want to see our post from last year.

Before we get into the main content of the post, we would recommend to take a look at our old blog post about Lucian of Samosata: the Father of Science-Fiction, to learn all about him and how he wrote the first work of Science-Fiction.

Movies and Series with links to Greek mythology that won at the 53rd Saturn Awards

This is the list of this year’s Saturn Award winners that have some kind of link to Greek mythology. In some cases the specific movie in question might not be directly linked to Greek mythology in an obvious way, but it is part of a franchise that has pulled a lot from Greek mythology (like Star Wars), so we include it here. For the full explanation of the links to Greek mythology, each winner is linked to a blog post we have written about it.

The 2026 Saturn Award winners with links to Greek mythology are:

• Best Fantasy Film : Wicked For Good
• Best 4K Home Media Release: Wicked
• Best Horror Film : Frankenstein
• Best Supporting Actor in a Film : Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein
• Best Film Make-Up : Frankenstein
• Best Film Costume : Frankenstein
• Best Animated Film : Zootopia 2
• Best Film Music : Nine Inch Nails for Tron : Ares (they also won a Grammy for this)
• Best Science Fiction Television Series : Andor (Star Wars)
• Best Actor in a Television Series : Diego Luna in Andor (Star Wars)
• Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series : Stellan Skarsgård in Andor (Star Wars)
• Best Science Fiction Film: Avatar-Fire and Ash
• Best Younger Performer in a Film: Avatar-Fire and Ash
• Best Film Direction: James Cameron for Avatar-Fire and Ash
• Best Film Screenwriting: Avatar-Fire and Ash
• Best Visual/Special Effects: Avatar-Fire and Ash

Origins of the Saturn Awards

The Saturn Awards were founded in 1972 by film historian and genre enthusiast Donald A. Reed. Reed was deeply passionate about science fiction, fantasy, and horror films, and he believed that these genres deserved more recognition from the entertainment industry. At the time, major awards like the Academy Awards rarely acknowledged genre films, even when they were critically acclaimed or culturally influential.

To address this gap, Reed founded the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring achievements in genre storytelling. The Saturn Awards became the official awards ceremony of this academy, celebrating the best films and performances in science fiction, fantasy, and horror each year.

The first ceremony took place in the early 1970s and initially focused mainly on films. Over time, the awards grew in size and prestige as the popularity of genre entertainment expanded.

Purpose and Philosophy

The Saturn Awards were created with a specific goal: to recognize films and television programs that often fell outside the traditional awards circuit. Historically, many groundbreaking genre films—especially science fiction and horror—were dismissed as niche entertainment.

By establishing an award dedicated to these genres, Reed and the Academy helped legitimize them as serious artistic works. Over the decades, many influential productions have been honored at the Saturn Awards, including films from major franchises such as Star Wars, Alien, and Back to the Future, all of which helped define modern science fiction cinema.

In fact, some franchises have won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film multiple times. The Star Wars series, for example, has received several wins in that category over the decades, reflecting the awards’ strong connection to major genre franchises.

Evolution of Categories

Originally, the Saturn Awards focused primarily on a handful of film categories such as Best Science Fiction Film, Best Fantasy Film, and Best Horror Film. However, as the entertainment industry evolved, the awards expanded to include more genres and formats.

One major development was the addition of television categories, allowing series and performances on television to compete alongside film. This change acknowledged the growing importance of genre television, especially with the success of series such as Star Trek and other science fiction programs.

Later, the awards also introduced categories for home entertainment releases, recognizing achievements in DVD, Blu-ray, and other media formats. With the rise of streaming platforms in the 21st century, the Saturn Awards again adapted by including categories for streaming and digital productions.

Another important category introduced later was Best Animated Film, first awarded in 1978. This category reflects the growing significance of animated storytelling within the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Growing Prestige of the Saturn Awards

Over the decades, the Saturn Awards have gained a strong reputation within the entertainment industry and among fans of genre media. While the Oscars remain the most famous film awards, the Saturn Awards are often considered the most specialized and authoritative honors for science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

The Academy behind the awards has hundreds of members, including filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals who screen films and vote on nominees each year. The organization regularly hosts screenings and events to evaluate potential nominees.

Many well-known actors and filmmakers have received Saturn Awards throughout their careers, highlighting the ceremony’s role in celebrating creativity and imagination in filmmaking.

Modern Ceremonies

The Saturn Awards continue to be presented annually. Recent ceremonies have been held in Los Angeles and streamed online to reach a wider audience. For example, the 53rd Saturn Awards were held on March 8, 2026, at the Hilton Universal City in Los Angeles, with comedian and actor Joel McHale serving as host.

The ceremony also honors television productions and individual performances, highlighting the increasingly interconnected nature of film and television storytelling in genre media.

Cultural Importance of the Saturn Awards

The Saturn Awards play an important role in recognizing and celebrating imaginative storytelling. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror are genres that often explore philosophical questions about humanity, technology, and the unknown. By honoring these works, the Saturn Awards help promote creativity and innovation in filmmaking and television.

In many ways, the awards have mirrored the rise of genre entertainment in mainstream culture. When the Saturn Awards began in the 1970s, science fiction and fantasy films were often niche productions. Today, they dominate global box offices and television streaming platforms.

Thanks to the efforts of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films and the vision of Donald A. Reed, the Saturn Awards remain one of the most respected celebrations of genre storytelling. More than fifty years after their creation, they continue to highlight the imaginative works that inspire audiences around the world. To learn more visit the official website of the awards.