The awards were created to honor science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, but have since grown to reward other films belonging to genre fiction, as well as television and home media releases.

The Saturn Awards were created in 1973 and were originally referred to as Golden Scrolls.

The Saturn Awards were devised by Donald A. Reed in 1973, who felt that work in films in the genre of science fiction at that time lacked recognition within the established Hollywood film industry's award system.

[3] In the late 1970s, the award was changed to be a representation of the planet Saturn, with its ring(s) composed of film.

[5] Although the Awards still primarily focus on films and television in the science fiction, fantasy and horror categories, the Saturns have also recognized productions in other dramatic genres.