Peter Jackson's $200m remake of King Kong has been voted the best movie of 2005 at this year's Empire Awards.

The film, starring Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody, won best movie, beating Oscar-winning Crash, War of the Worlds, Sin City and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

The Empire Awards were presented at a star-studded ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole on March 13.

Johnny Depp won best actor for his performance in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while Thandie Newton won the actress award for Crash.

The accolade for best director went to Steve Box and Nick Park for Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

The duo can add the award to the Oscar they won earlier this month.

During the ceremony there was success too for George Lucas' Revenge of the Sith, which picked up two awards, including scene of the year for the birth of Darth Vader.

The best thriller prize went to Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, the best comedy winner was Team America: World Police, while Pride and Prejudice was named best British film.

The award for best newcomer went to Kelly Reilly for both Mrs Henderson Presents and Pride and Prejudice.

In other awards, director Stephen Frears picked up the Empire Inspiration Award, while the Empire Icon Award went to Scottish actor Brian Cox.

Veteran American actor Tony Curtis received a lifetime achievement award at the London ceremony.

Curtis, 80, has starred in films including The Million Dollar Face, Spartacus, The Defiant Ones, Goodbye Charlie, Brittle Glory, Thanksgiving Day and Some Like it Hot.

The Harry Potter films scooped a special award for their outstanding contribution to the British film industry.

The Empire Awards are the only movie awards voted for by the British public.