The Saturn Awards are put on by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in order to acknowledge excellent genre fare in movies and on television.  The 38th Annual Saturn Awards were held last night in Burbank, and the films directed by Rupert Wyatt and J.J. Abrams both received three wins each.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes won in the Best Science Fiction Film category, while Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo won Best Action/Adventure Film and Best Horror/Thriller, respectively.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which led in nominations alongside Hugo, won for Best Fantasy Film.  Super 8, meanwhile, won Best Direction for Abrams, Best Music for Michael Giacchino, and Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Joel Courtney.

On the television side of things, Breaking Bad held down with acknowledgment as the Best Cable Series and acting awards for both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.  Fringe received the award for network series.

Marvel Studios had racked up several nominations for Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, but with the exception of Alexandra Byrne's Thor costume design, got shut out at the actual awards.  Martin Scorsese's Hugo also only scored a win for Dante Feretti's editing.

Here's the full press release from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.  Check it out and take a moment to appreciate the coolness of entertainment awards that give lifetime achievement accolades to Frank Oz and James Remar in the same night:

BURBANK, Calif. – July 26, 2012 – Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Super 8 each received three Saturn Awards tonight as the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films presented the 38th annual Saturn Awards, the top honors for genre entertainment.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes was named Best Science Fiction Film, and Super 8 received awards for Best Director (J.J. Abrams), Best Music (Michael Giacchino) and Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Joel Courtney).  The Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film was presented to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2; Best Horror Thriller Film was The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Best Action/Adventure Film was Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.  The 38th Annual Saturn Awards were presented for the period covering Feb. 1, 2011, to Jan. 31, 2012.

On television, Breaking Bad  was named Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series, and also received Saturn Awards for Best Actor on Television (Bryan Cranston) and Best Supporting Actor on Television (Aaron Paul).  The Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series was presented to Fringe.

“In one of the most rewarding years ever for genre entertainment, these films and TV shows proved that imagination, creativity and technology are blending in extraordinary ways, allowing these previously specialized genres to become the very heart of the entertainment industry,” said Academy President Robert Holguin.

Here is the full list of winners at the 38th Annual Saturn Awards:

FILM AWARDS

Best Science Fiction Film: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Best Fantasy Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Best Horror/Thriller Film: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Action/Adventure Film: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Best Actor: Michael Shannon  (Take Shelter)

Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst  (Melancholia)

Best Supporting Actor: Andy Serkis  (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

Best Supporting Actress: Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau)

Best Performance by a Younger Actor: Joel Courtney  (Super 8)

Best Director: J.J. Abrams  (Super 8)

Best Writing: Jeff Nichols  (Take Shelter)

Best Music: Michael Giacchino  (Super 8)

Best Editor: Paul Hirsch  (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol)

Best Production Design: Dante Ferretti  (Hugo)

Best Costume: Alexandra Byrne  (Thor)

Best Make-Up: Dave Elsey, Fran Needham, Conor O’Sullivan  (X-Men: First Class)

Best Special Effects: Dan Lemmon, Joe Letteri, R. Christopher White, Daniel Barrett (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

Best International Film: The Skin I Live In

Best Animated Film: Puss in Boots

TELEVISION AWARDS

Best Network Television Series: Fringe

Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series: Breaking Bad

Best Television Presentation: The Walking Dead

Best Youth-Oriented Television Series: Teen Wolf

Best Actor on Television: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

Best Actress on Television: Anna Torv (Fringe)

Best Supporting Actor on Television: Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Best Supporting Actress on Television: Michelle Forbes  (The Killing)

Best Guest Star on Television: Tom Skerritt (Leverage)

HOME ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS

Best DVD/BD Release: (tie) Atlas Shrugged, Part One and The Perfect Host

Best DVD/BD Special Edition Release: Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis

Best DVD/BD Collection Release: Stanley Kubrick: The Essential Collection

Best DVD/BD Television Series Release: Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS FROM THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & HORROR FILMS

The Life Career Award: Frank Oz

The Life Career Award: James Remar

The Filmmakers Showcase Award: Drew Goddard

The Milestone Award: The Simpsons

The Innovator Award: Robert Kirkman

The Appreciation Award: Jeffrey Ross (for hosting the Saturn Awards)

his year marks the 40th anniversary of the Academy, which was founded in 1972 by noted film historian Dr. Donald A. Reed to honor and recognize genre entertainment, which is frequently overlooked by mainstream entertainment-industry awards.

Over the years, the Academy has expanded its reach to include other genres, including recognizing excellence in television and home entertainment.

The Saturn Awards can be found online at www.saturnawards.org, on Facebook (“The Saturn Awards) and on Twitter (@SaturnAwards1).