Mumbai-based movie Slumdog Millionaire has won five prizes at the Critics Choice Awards, cementing its position as a surprise favourite just as the Oscar season moves into high gear.

The tale of an Indian orphan whose life experiences take him to the final of a big-money Indian game show, won prizes for best picture, as well as for director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, star Dev Patel and composer A.R. Rahman.

The Critics Choice Awards took place Thursday night.

"It's amazing to see how generous you've been to our film," said Boyle, who called the movie "a love song" to Mumbai.

"The Dark Knight" was named best action movie and garnered another best supporting actor award for Heath Ledger.

Sean Penn was named best actor for "Milk" while Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") and Meryl Streep ("Doubt") tied for best actress.

The acting-ensemble prize went to the cast of "Milk" while Kate Winslet was named best supporting actress for "The Reader". "WALL-E" was the best animated feature and "Tropic Thunder" was best comedy.