British actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Emma Watson have been voted the world's sexiest movie stars.

The Star Trek Into Darkness actor gained top spot in the 50 hottest males of the moment poll conducted by Empire Online, coming ahead of The Avengers star Tom Hiddleston, who took second place, and Man of Steel heart-throb Henry Cavill in third.

Harry Potter actress Watson earned the sexiest female movie star title, beating Scarlett Johansson in second and The Hunger Games favourite Jennifer Lawrence in third.

Other stars who featured high in the charts include Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, Mila Kunis and Angelina Jolie.

James Dyer, editor of Empire Online, says, "It's a great result for British stars, but what's clear is that it's less important to have lots of casual fans and better to have a dedicated hard-core. The Cumberbabes, Hiddlestoners, Twi-hards and Cavilliers all made their opinions heard!"