PASADENA, Calif. — Two controversial films that defied the odds to earn millions at the box office joined a familiar green ogre to take top honours at the 31st Annual People's Choice Awards on Sunday.

The Michael Moore film Fahrenheit 9/11, which took a critical look at U.S. President George W. Bush's actions after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, won the favourite movie award, while Mel Gibson's explicit The Passion of the Christ won in the favourite drama category.

Moore dedicated his win to the U.S. troops fighting overseas and said he was "amazed'' that people voted his film their favourite.

"I love making movies and I'll take this as an invitation to make more Fahrenheit 9/11s,'' Moore said.

A few minutes later, Moore was followed at the podium by a jubilant and grateful Gibson.

"Heck, I was just hoping to break even,'' said Gibson, as he thanked those who helped him make the movie and those who went to see it.

"If it wasn't for you guys we would have been dead in the water.''

The animated Shrek 2 swept a number of categories, being named favourite comedy, favourite sequel and favourite animated movie.

The character of Donkey in Shrek 2, voiced by Eddie Murphy, was named favourite animated movie star, while the Fairy Godmother, voiced by Jennifer Saunders, won in the favourite movie villain category.

"I'm very, very honoured to be part of something where people care so much that it be good,'' said Mike Myers as he picked up a couple of the Shrek 2 awards.

Two other Canadians were among the winners: Jim Carrey for funny male star and Shania Twain for country female singer.

Perennial favourites took many of the top awards, including many of this year's new categories. Julia Roberts and Johnny Depp won for favourite female and male movie star. Matt LeBlanc and Marg Helgenberger won for favourite male and female TV stars.

Will & Grace won for favourite TV comedy. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was named favourite TV drama.

After votes cast via the Internet during the first hour of the live telecast were counted, Joey was named favourite new TV comedy, while Desperate Housewives won for favourite new TV drama.

The People's Choice Awards, hosted by Jason Alexander and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, were presented at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and broadcast on CBS. The awards covered 38 film, television and music categories, including a number of new ones.

The nominations were determined by editors at Entertainment Weekly, the People's Choice production team and a panel of pop culture fans. Winners were determined by Internet voting.

The complete list of winners:

• Motion picture: Fahrenheit 9/11
• Drama motion picture: The Passion of the Christ
• Comedy motion picture: Shrek 2
• Animated motion picture: Shrek 2
• Favorite sequel: Shrek 2
• Animated movie star: Donkey in Shrek 2 (voiced by Eddie Murphy)
• Movie villain: The Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2 (voiced by Jennifer Saunders)
• Favourite on-screen chemistry: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates
• Female movie star: Julia Roberts
• Male movie star: Johnny Depp
• Female action movie star: Angelina Jolie
• Male action movie star: Will Smith
• Leading lady: Renee Zellweger
• Leading man: Brad Pitt
• Funny female star: Ellen DeGeneres
• Funny male star: Jim Carrey
• Television drama series: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
• Television comedy series: Will & Grace
• New television comedy series: Joey
• New television drama series: Desperate Housewives
• Female television star: Marg Helgenberger
• Male television star: Matt LeBlanc
• Late night talk show host: David Letterman
• Daytime talk show host: Ellen DeGeneres
• Reality show, competition: American Idol
• Reality show, makeover: Extreme Makeover Home Edition
•  Reality show, 24/7: Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica
• Crest fans favorite smile: Julia Roberts
• Pantene fans favorite hair: Jennifer Garner
• Cover Girl fans favorite look: Kate Hudson
• Favorite group: U2
• Female singer: Alicia Keys
• Male singer: Usher
• Favorite remake: The First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow
• Favorite combined forces: Yeah by Usher/Lil Jon/Ludacris
• Country group: Brooks & Dunn
• Country female singer: Shania Twain
• Country male singer: Tim McGraw