LOS ANGELES • Chris Pratt, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth and Chadwick Boseman are tough guys on screen, but are still not a match for Danai Gurira.

On Sunday, the Walking Dead and Black Panther actress beat them to bag the Best Action Star accolade in the 2018 E! People's Choice Awards, which are voted by members of the public.

"Thank you for affirming women and girls, when given the chance to hang with the boys, can hang with the best of them," she said on stage, giving thanks to Black Panther (2018) director Ryan Coogler for opening more paths for women.

Rapper Nicki Minaj, who picked up two awards for Best Album and Best Female Artist, urged people to blaze their own trails.

She noted that they are "maybe not at the place they want to be in their lives, but the fact that you are pushing and you are not being lazy and not complaining but going for your dreams every day, shout-out to you".

The event, which was held in Santa Monica, honoured the best in film, television, music and pop culture, with prizes in 43 categories.

The nod for Best Movie and Best Action Movie went to Avengers: Infinity War (2018), while its star Scarlett Johansson won Best Female Movie Star.

According to CBS News, she thanked her fans and also acknowledged the work of the armed forces, saying: "They put their lives on the line so we don't have to."

British fashion designer Victoria Beckham bagged Fashion Icon while the reality show prize went to Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) took Best Comedy Movie, beating other contenders that included hit film Crazy Rich Asians (2018).

Melissa McCarthy, who took home the first-ever People's Icon statuette, said everyone could be action stars, too, by contributing money to help tackle a wildfire that is ravaging southern California.

"One dollar, 50 cents, it will be put to great use and it will make a difference," she said.

"There is great power in this room and everyone who's watching."