Batman movie The Dark Knight has been handed five People's Choice Awards kicking off Hollywood's annual awards season.

Dark Knight, which was 2008's top film at box offices with global ticket sales of nearly $1 billion (£600m), also proved to be the number one movie of the night.

Along with best film and on-screen match-up for stars Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger, it hauled in awards for favourite action movie, superhero for Bale as Batman, and for its cast.

The People's Choice Awards, in its 35th edition this year, are a widely-watched measure of popular appeal for Hollywood stars in the run-up to the Oscars, the world's top film awards, that take place in February.

Adam Sandler was named funniest male star, Reese Witherspoon favourite female movie star, and Kate Hudson top leading lady among winners in more than 40 categories covering film, television, music and even online entertainment.

Sandler, Witherspoon and Hudson all echoed a familiar theme of the night by saying People's Choice honours were special because they were voted on by fans, as opposed to critics or members of industry groups.

The ceremony also has a more casual atmosphere compared to TV's Emmy's or the film industry's Oscars, where black ties and ball gowns are mandatory.

Katherine Heigl, who accepted the trophy for best comedy movie for her 27 Dresses, told reporters backstage that she wore a trouser suit because "it was after the holidays, so I didn't want to wear anything strapless or anything I had to suck in my stomach for."

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