Saturn Award for Best Actress

The Saturn Award for Best Actress is one of the annual Saturn Awards given by the American professional organization, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. The Saturn Awards are the oldest film-specialized reward of achievements in science fiction, fantasy, and horror (another award, the Hugo Award is older but includes other genres and media). The Saturn Award included the Best Actress category for the first time in the 1974 film year.

Saturn Award for Best Actress
The 2023 recipient: Margot Robbie
Awarded forBest performance of the year by a female in a leading role in a genre film
CountryUnited States
Presented byAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films
First awarded1974/75
Currently held byMargot Robbie for Barbie (2022/2023)
Websitewww.saturnawards.org

The Saturn Award for Best Actress is the oldest prize to reward actresses in science fiction, fantasy, and horror films: other awards such as the Academy and Golden Globe Awards, despite supposedly disregarding the genre, gave little recognition to acting quality at the time. In 1996 the Saturns began to reward both film and television acting, and created the Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television. For the first two years it was awarded there were no nominees announced.

The actresses with the most nominations are Jamie Lee Curtis, Jodie Foster, Natalie Portman, Naomi Watts and Sigourney Weaver, who are all tied with five. Curtis, Foster, Portman, Watts and Sandra Bullock are the only actresses to have won it twice. Portman and Michelle Yeoh are the only actresses to win both the Saturn Award and the Academy Award for Best Actress for the same film, while Weaver holds the record for most nominations for playing the same character (Ellen Ripley) with four. Foster is the youngest winner in this category, winning her first award in 1977 at age 13.

Winners and nominees

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Legend:

  indicates the winner

1970s

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Year Actress Film Character
1974/1975 Katharine Ross The Stepford Wives Joanna Eberhart
1976 Blythe Danner Futureworld Tracy Ballad
1977 Jodie Foster The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane Rynn Jacobs
Julie Christie Demon Seed Susan Harris
Joan Collins Empire of the Ants Marilyn Fryser
Melinda Dillon Close Encounters of the Third Kind Jillian Guiler
Carrie Fisher Star Wars Princess Leia Organa
1978 Margot Kidder Superman Lois Lane
Brooke Adams Invasion of the Body Snatchers Elizabeth Driscoll
Ann-Margret Magic Peggy Ann Snow
Geneviève Bujold Coma Dr. Susan Wheeler
Diana Ross The Wiz Dorothy Gale
1979 Mary Steenburgen Time After Time Amy Robbins
Susan Saint James Love at First Bite Cindy Sondheim
Persis Khambatta Star Trek: The Motion Picture Lt. Ilia
Margot Kidder The Amityville Horror Kathy Lutz
Sigourney Weaver Alien Ripley

1980s

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Year Actress Film Character
1980 Angie Dickinson Dressed to Kill Kate Miller
Ellen Burstyn Resurrection Edna
Jamie Lee Curtis Terror Train Alana Maxwell
Louanne Oh, God! Book II Tracy Richards
Jane Seymour Somewhere in Time Elise McKenna
1981 Karen Allen Raiders of the Lost Ark Marion Ravenwood
Jenny Agutter An American Werewolf in London Nurse Alex Price
Margot Kidder Superman II Lois Lane
Angela Lansbury The Mirror Crack'd Miss Jane Marple
Lily Tomlin The Incredible Shrinking Woman Pat Kramer / Judith Beasley
1982 Sandahl Bergman Conan the Barbarian Valeria
Susan George The House Where Evil Dwells Laura Fletcher
Nastassja Kinski Cat People Irena Gallier
JoBeth Williams Poltergeist Diane Freeling
Mary Woronov Eating Raoul Mary Bland
1983 Louise Fletcher Brainstorm Dr. Lillian Reynolds
Bess Armstrong High Road to China Eve "Evie" Tozer
Bobbie Bresee Mausoleum Susan Walker Farrell
Carrie Fisher Return of the Jedi Princess Leia Organa
Ally Sheedy WarGames Jennifer Mack
1984 Daryl Hannah Splash Madison
Karen Allen Starman Jenny Hayden
Nancy Allen The Philadelphia Experiment Allison Hayes
Linda Hamilton The Terminator Sarah Connor
Helen Slater Supergirl Supergirl / Kara Zor-El / Linda Lee
1985 Coral Browne Dreamchild Alice Hargreaves
Glenn Close Maxie Jan / Maxie
Mia Farrow The Purple Rose of Cairo Cecilia
Michelle Pfeiffer Ladyhawke Isabeau d'Anjou
Jessica Tandy Cocoon Alma Finley
1986 Sigourney Weaver Aliens Ellen Ripley
Barbara Crampton From Beyond Dr. Katherine McMichaels
Geena Davis The Fly Veronica Quaife
Elisabeth Shue Link Jane Chase
Kathleen Turner Peggy Sue Got Married Peggy Sue Bodell
1987 Jessica Tandy *batteries not included Faye Riley
Nancy Allen RoboCop Officer Anne Lewis
Melinda Dillon Harry and the Hendersons Nancy Henderson
Lorraine Gary Jaws: The Revenge Ellen Brody
Susan Sarandon The Witches of Eastwick Jane Spofford
Robin Wright The Princess Bride Buttercup
1988 Catherine Hicks Child's Play Karen Barclay
Kim Basinger My Stepmother Is an Alien Celeste Martin
Amanda Donohoe The Lair of the White Worm Lady Sylvia Marsh
Joanna Pacuła The Kiss Felice Dunbar
Cassandra Peterson Elvira: Mistress of the Dark Elvira / Aunt Morgana Talbot
Jessica Tandy Cocoon: The Return Alma Finley
1989/1990 Demi Moore Ghost Molly Jensen
Julie Carmen Fright Night Part 2 Regine Dandrige
Blanca Guerra Santa Sangre Concha
Anjelica Huston The Witches Miss Eva Ernst / Grand High Witch
Nicole Kidman Dead Calm Rae Ingram
Madonna Dick Tracy Breathless Mahoney
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio The Abyss Dr. Lindsey Brigman
Ally Sheedy Fear Cayce Bridges
Jenny Wright I, Madman Virginia

1990s

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Year Actress Film Character
1991 Linda Hamilton Terminator 2: Judgment Day Sarah Connor
Kathy Bates Misery Annie Wilkes
Jodie Foster The Silence of the Lambs Clarice Starling
Julia Roberts Sleeping with the Enemy Laura Burney
Winona Ryder Edward Scissorhands Kim Boggs
Meryl Streep Defending Your Life Julia
1992 Virginia Madsen Candyman Helen Lyle
Rebecca De Mornay The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Peyton Flanders / Mrs. Mott
Sheryl Lee Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Laura Palmer
Winona Ryder Bram Stoker's Dracula Mina Harker / Elisabeta
Sharon Stone Basic Instinct Catherine Tramell
Meryl Streep Death Becomes Her Madeline Ashton
Sigourney Weaver Alien 3 Ellen Ripley
1993 Andie MacDowell Groundhog Day Rita
Patricia Arquette True Romance Alabama Whitman
Laura Dern Jurassic Park Dr. Ellie Sattler
Michelle Forbes Kalifornia Carrie Laughlin
Anjelica Huston Addams Family Values Morticia Addams
Bette Midler Hocus Pocus Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson
Ally Sheedy Man's Best Friend Lori Tanner
1994 Sandra Bullock Speed Annie Porter
Jamie Lee Curtis True Lies Helen Tasker
Mädchen Amick Dream Lover Lena Mathers
Helena Bonham Carter Frankenstein Elizabeth Frankenstein
Penelope Ann Miller The Shadow Margo Lane
Michelle Pfeiffer Wolf Laura Alden
1995 Angela Bassett Strange Days Lornette "Mace" Mason
Kathy Bates Dolores Claiborne Dolores Claiborne
Nicole Kidman To Die For Suzanne Stone-Maretto
Sharon Stone The Quick and the Dead The Lady
Madeleine Stowe 12 Monkeys Kathryn Railly
Marina Zudina Mute Witness Billy
1996 Neve Campbell Scream Sidney Prescott
Geena Davis The Long Kiss Goodnight Samantha Caine / Charlene Elizabeth "Charly" Baltimore
Gina Gershon Bound Corky
Helen Hunt Twister Dr. Jo Harding
Frances McDormand Fargo Marge Gunderson
Penelope Ann Miller The Relic Dr. Margo Green
1997 Jodie Foster Contact Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Ann Arroway
Neve Campbell Scream 2 Sidney Prescott
Pam Grier Jackie Brown Jackie Brown
Jennifer Lopez Anaconda Terri Flores
Mira Sorvino Mimic Dr. Susan Tyler
Sigourney Weaver Alien: Resurrection Ellen Ripley
1998 Drew Barrymore Ever After Danielle de Barbarac / Countess Nicole de Lancret
Gillian Anderson The X-Files Dana Scully
Jamie Lee Curtis Halloween H20: 20 Years Later Laurie Strode / Keri Tate
Meg Ryan City of Angels Maggie Rice
Jennifer Tilly Bride of Chucky Tiffany
Catherine Zeta-Jones The Mask of Zorro Elena De La Vega
1999 Christina Ricci Sleepy Hollow Katrina Van Tassel
Heather Graham Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Felicity Shagwell
Catherine Keener Being John Malkovich Maxine Lund
Carrie-Anne Moss The Matrix Trinity
Sigourney Weaver Galaxy Quest Gwen DeMarco / Lt. Tawny Madison
Rachel Weisz The Mummy Evelyn "Evie" Carnahan O'Connell

2000s

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Year Actress Film Character
2000 Téa Leoni The Family Man Kate Reynolds / Kate Campbell
Cate Blanchett The Gift Annabelle "Annie" Wilson
Ellen Burstyn Requiem for a Dream Sara Goldfarb
Jennifer Lopez The Cell Dr. Catherine Deane
Michelle Pfeiffer What Lies Beneath Claire Spencer
Michelle Yeoh Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Yu Shu Lien
2001 Nicole Kidman The Others Grace Stewart
Kate Beckinsale Serendipity Sara Thomas
Angelina Jolie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Lara Croft
Julianne Moore Hannibal Clarice Starling
Frances O'Connor A.I. Artificial Intelligence Monica Swinton
Naomi Watts Mulholland Drive Betty Elms
2002 Naomi Watts The Ring Rachel Keller
Kirsten Dunst Spider-Man Mary Jane Watson
Jodie Foster Panic Room Meg Altman
Milla Jovovich Resident Evil Alice
Natascha McElhone Solaris Rheya
Natalie Portman Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Senator Padmé Amidala
2003 Uma Thurman Kill Bill: Volume 1 The Bride
Kate Beckinsale Underworld Selene
Jessica Biel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Erin Hardesty
Cate Blanchett The Missing Magdalena "Maggie" Gilkeson
Jennifer Connelly Hulk Betty Ross
Jamie Lee Curtis Freaky Friday Tess Coleman / Anna Coleman
2004 Blanchard Ryan Open Water Susan Watkins
Nicole Kidman Birth Anna
Julianne Moore The Forgotten Telly Paretta
Uma Thurman Kill Bill: Volume 2 The Bride / Beatrix Kiddo
Kate Winslet Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Clementine Kruczynski
Zhang Ziyi House of Flying Daggers Mei
2005 Naomi Watts King Kong Ann Darrow
Jodie Foster Flightplan Kyle Pratt
Laura Linney The Exorcism of Emily Rose Erin Christine Bruner
Rachel McAdams Red Eye Lisa Reisert
Natalie Portman Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Padmé Amidala
Tilda Swinton The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Jadis, the White Witch
2006 Natalie Portman V for Vendetta Evey Hammond
Kate Bosworth Superman Returns Lois Lane
Judi Dench Notes on a Scandal Barbara Covett
Maggie Gyllenhaal Stranger than Fiction Ana Pascal
Shauna Macdonald The Descent Sarah Carter
Renée Zellweger Miss Potter Beatrix Potter
2007 Amy Adams Enchanted Princess Giselle
Helena Bonham Carter Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Mrs. Lovett
Ashley Judd Bug Agnes White
Belén Rueda The Orphanage Laura
Carice van Houten Black Book Rachel Stein / Ellis de Vries
Naomi Watts Eastern Promises Anna Khitrova
2008 Angelina Jolie Changeling Christine Collins
Cate Blanchett The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Daisy Fuller
Maggie Gyllenhaal The Dark Knight Rachel Dawes
Julianne Moore Blindness Doctor's Wife
Emily Mortimer Transsiberian Jessie
Gwyneth Paltrow Iron Man Virginia "Pepper" Potts
2009 Zoe Saldana Avatar Neytiri
Catherine Keener Where the Wild Things Are Connie
Mélanie Laurent Inglourious Basterds Shoshanna Dreyfus / Emmanuelle Mimieux
Alison Lohman Drag Me to Hell Christine Brown
Natalie Portman Brothers Grace Cahill
Charlize Theron The Burning Plain Sylvia

2010s

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Year Actress Film Character
2010 Natalie Portman Black Swan Nina Sayers / The Swan Queen
Cécile de France Hereafter Marie Lelay
Angelina Jolie Salt Evelyn Salt / Natasha Chenkova
Carey Mulligan Never Let Me Go Kathy H.
Elliot Page Inception Ariadne
Noomi Rapace The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Lisbeth Salander
2011 Kirsten Dunst Melancholia Justine
Jessica Chastain Take Shelter Samantha LaForche
Keira Knightley A Dangerous Method Sabina Spielrein
Rooney Mara The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Lisbeth Salander
Brit Marling Another Earth Rhoda Williams
Elizabeth Olsen Martha Marcy May Marlene Martha
2012 Jennifer Lawrence The Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen
Jessica Chastain Zero Dark Thirty Maya
Ann Dowd Compliance Sandra
Zoe Kazan Ruby Sparks Ruby Sparks
Helen Mirren Hitchcock Alma Reville
Naomi Watts The Impossible Maria Bennett
2013 Sandra Bullock Gravity Dr. Ryan Stone
Halle Berry The Call Jordan Turner
Martina Gedeck The Wall Die Frau (The Woman)
Jennifer Lawrence The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Katniss Everdeen
Emma Thompson Saving Mr. Banks P. L. Travers
Mia Wasikowska Stoker India Stoker
2014 Rosamund Pike Gone Girl Amy Elliott-Dunne
Emily Blunt Edge of Tomorrow Sergeant Rita Rose Vrataski
Essie Davis The Babadook Amelia
Anne Hathaway Interstellar Amelia Brand
Angelina Jolie Maleficent Maleficent
Jennifer Lawrence The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Katniss Everdeen
2015 Charlize Theron Mad Max: Fury Road Imperator Furiosa
Emily Blunt Sicario Kate Macer
Jessica Chastain The Martian Melissa Lewis
Blake Lively The Age of Adaline Adaline
Daisy Ridley Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rey
Mia Wasikowska Crimson Peak Edith Cushing
2016 Mary Elizabeth Winstead 10 Cloverfield Lane Michelle
Amy Adams Arrival Dr. Louise Banks
Emily Blunt The Girl on the Train Rachel Watson
Taraji P. Henson Hidden Figures Katherine Goble Johnson
Felicity Jones Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Jyn Erso
Jennifer Lawrence Passengers Aurora Lane
Narges Rashidi Under the Shadow Shideh
2017 Gal Gadot Wonder Woman Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
Sally Hawkins The Shape of Water Elisa Esposito
Frances McDormand Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Mildred Hayes
Lupita Nyong'o Black Panther Nakia
Rosamund Pike Hostiles Rosalie Quaid
Daisy Ridley Star Wars: The Last Jedi Rey
Emma Watson Beauty and the Beast Belle
2018/2019 Jamie Lee Curtis Halloween Laurie Strode
Emily Blunt Mary Poppins Returns Mary Poppins
Toni Collette Hereditary Annie Graham
Nicole Kidman Destroyer Erin Bell
Brie Larson Captain Marvel Carol Danvers / Vers / Captain Marvel
Lupita Nyong'o Us Adelaide Wilson / Red
Octavia Spencer Ma Sue Ann "Ma" Ellington
2019/2020 Elisabeth Moss The Invisible Man Cecilia "Cee" Kass
Rebecca Ferguson Doctor Sleep Rose the Hat
Natalie Portman Lucy in the Sky Lucy Cola
Daisy Ridley Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Rey
Margot Robbie Birds of Prey Harley Quinn
Charlize Theron The Old Guard Andy
Liu Yifei Mulan Mulan

2020s

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Year Actress Film Character
2021/2022 Michelle Yeoh Everything Everywhere All at Once Evelyn Quan Wang
Cate Blanchett Nightmare Alley Dr. Lilith Ritter
Emily Blunt A Quiet Place Part II Evelyn Abbott
Zoë Kravitz The Batman Selina Kyle / Catwoman
Keke Palmer Nope Emerald "Em" Haywood
Emma Stone Cruella Estella / Cruella
Zendaya Spider-Man: No Way Home MJ
2022/2023 Margot Robbie Barbie Barbie
Viola Davis The Woman King General Nanisca
Mia Goth Pearl Pearl
Amber Midthunder Prey Naru
Zoe Saldaña Avatar: The Way of Water Neytiri
Anya Taylor-Joy The Menu Margot Mills / Erin

Multiple nominations

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6 nominations
  • Natalie Portman
5 nominations
  • Emily Blunt
  • Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Jodie Foster
  • Nicole Kidman
  • Naomi Watts
  • Sigourney Weaver
4 nominations
  • Cate Blanchett
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Jennifer Lawrence
3 nominations
  • Jessica Chastain
  • Margot Kidder
  • Julianne Moore
  • Michelle Pfeiffer
  • Daisy Ridley
  • Ally Sheedy
  • Jessica Tandy
  • Charlize Theron
2 nominations
  • Amy Adams
  • Karen Allen
  • Nancy Allen
  • Kathy Bates
  • Kate Beckinsale
  • Helena Bonham Carter
  • Sandra Bullock
  • Ellen Burstyn
  • Neve Campbell
  • Geena Davis
  • Melinda Dillon
  • Kirsten Dunst
  • Carrie Fisher
  • Linda Hamilton
  • Anjelica Huston
  • Catherine Keener
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Frances McDormand
  • Penelope Ann Miller
  • Lupita Nyong'o
  • Rosamund Pike
  • Margot Robbie
  • Winona Ryder
  • Zoe Saldaña
  • Sharon Stone
  • Meryl Streep
  • Uma Thurman
  • Mia Wasikowska
  • Michelle Yeoh

Multiple wins

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2 wins
  • Sandra Bullock
  • Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Jodie Foster
  • Natalie Portman
  • Naomi Watts

References

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