1981 Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo

The 1981 Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo was presented September 6 at Denvention Two.

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) [Lucasfilm] Screenplay by Leigh Bracket and Lawrence Kasdan; Story by George Lucas; Directed by Irvin Kershner
2. The Lathe of Heaven (1980) [WNET/PBS] Screenplay by Diane English and Roger Swaybill; Directed by Fred Barzyk and David R. Loxton; based on the novel by Ursula K. Le Guin
3. Cosmos (TV Series) (1981) [KCET/PBS] Written and directed by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan
4. The Martian Chronicles (1980) [BBC/NBC] Screenplay by Richard Matheson; Directed by Michael Anderson; based on the collection by Ray Bradbury
5. Flash Gordon (1980) [20th Century Fox/De Laurentiis] Screenplay by Lorenzo Semple, Jr.; Adaptation by Michael Allin; Directed by Mike Hodges; based on the comic strip by Alex Raymond

Superman II received enough nominating votes to appear on the final ballot, but was ruled ineligible.

See also: Hugo Awards, 1981 Hugo Results, 1980 Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo, 1982 Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo.