Which 2011 movies were the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror?

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films recently announced the nominations for the 38th Annual Saturn Awards. First awarded in 1972, the Saturn Awards are given annually to recognize the most outstanding works in science fiction, fantasy and horror.

Saturn Awards are given in dozens of categories that span works in film, television, DVD and stage from the previous calendar year. The categories that I always keep an eye on are Best Science Fiction Film, Best Fantasy Film, Best Horror/Thriller Film, Best Action/Adventure Film, Best International Film, Best Animated Film, Best Network Television Series and Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series.

The nominees for Best Science Fiction Film were:
1. The Adjustment Bureau
2. Captain America: The First Avenger
3. Limitless
4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
5. Super 8
6. X-Men: First Class

Nominees for Best Fantasy Film included:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
2. Hugo
3. Immortals
4. Midnight in Paris
5. The Muppets
6. Thor

The nominees for Best Horror/Thriller Film were:
1. Contagion
2. The Devil’s Double
3. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
4. The Grey
5. Take Shelter
6. The Thing

Nominees for Best Action/Adventure Film included:
1. Fast Five
2. The Lincoln Lawyer
3. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
4. Red Tails
5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
6. War Horse

The nominees for Best Animated Film were:
1. The Adventures of Tintin
2. Cars 2
3. Kung Fu Panda 2
4. Puss in Boots
5. Rango
6. Rio

The nominees for Best International Film included:
1. Attack the Block
2. The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch
3. Melancholia
4. Point Blank
5. The Skin I Live In
6. Troll Hunter

Nominees for Best Network Television Series were:
1. Fringe
2. A Gifted Man
3. Grimm
4. Once Upon a Time
5. Supernatural
6. Terra Nova

The nominees for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series were:
1. American Horror Story
2. Breaking Bad
3. The Closer
4. Dexter
5. The Killing
6. Leverage
7. True Blood

We’ll have to wait a few months to find out who will win because the winners won’t be announced until June 20.

Which of the movies mentioned above have you had a chance to watch? Which did you like or dislike? Which would you recommend and why? Which do you think will win top honors in the categories mentioned above? Let us know in the comments section below.

Here’s how I would fill out a ballot if I had the chance to vote:
1. Best Science Fiction Film – Super 8
2. Best Fantasy Film – Thor
3. Best Horror/Thriller Film – The Thing
4. Best Action/Adventure Film – Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
5. Best Animated Film – Rango
6. Best International Film – The Skin I Live In
7. Best Network Television Series – Fringe
8. Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series – Breaking Bad

To see the nominees in other categories, as well as a complete list of past winners in all categories, visit the Official Saturn Awards website at www.saturnawards.org.