# Mamma Mia!

> 2008 film directed by Phyllida Lloyd

**Wikidata**: [Q188850](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188850)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mamma-mia

## Summary
*Mamma Mia!* is a 2008 musical film directed by Phyllida Lloyd, based on the globally popular stage musical of the same name. It features a soundtrack composed entirely of songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA and tells the story of a young woman searching for her father's identity, set against a backdrop of music and romance. The film is notable for its ensemble cast, vibrant musical numbers, and international box office success.

## Key Facts
- **Release Year**: 2008
- **Director**: Phyllida Lloyd
- **Genre**: Musical film, romantic comedy, jukebox musical
- **Based on**: The stage musical *Mamma Mia!* by Catherine Johnson
- **Starring**: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Dominic Cooper
- **Production Companies**: Playtone, Littlestar Productions, and PolyGram
- **Runtime**: 108 minutes
- **Box Office Gross**: $609,896,805
- **Release Dates**: First released on July 11, 2008, with subsequent releases in various countries through 2009
- **Countries of Origin**: United Kingdom, United States, Germany
- **Language**: English
- **Sequel**: *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* (2018)
- **IMDb ID**: tt0795421
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **Website**: [www.mammamiamovie.com](http://www.mammamiamovie.com/)
- **Distributor**: Universal Pictures
- **Soundtrack**: Composed entirely of ABBA songs
- **Cinematography**: Haris Zambarloukos
- **Distributor**: Universal Pictures
- **Screenplay**: Catherine Johnson
- **Story**: Based on the musical by the same name, which was itself based on ABBA's songs
- **Filming Locations**: Filmed on location in Greece (Skanes, Kalymnos, and Corfu)
- **Awards and Recognition**: Nominated for and won several international film and music awards

## FAQs

**What is *Mamma Mia!* about?**  
*Mamma Mia!* is a musical film that follows the story of Sophie, a young woman on the Greek island of Kalymnos, who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna's past in the hopes of discovering her father's identity before her wedding.

**Who directed *Mamma Mia!*?**  
The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who is also known for directing the stage version of the musical.

**Is *Mamma Mia!* based on a true story?**  
No, *Mamma Mia!* is a fictional story, but it is based on the characters and songs from the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on ABBA's music.

**What is the genre of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
It is a musical film, romantic comedy, and a jukebox musical, using ABBA's songs as its soundtrack.

**Who is in the cast of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
The main cast includes Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Dominic Cooper.

**What is the plot of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
Sophie, a 20-year-old bride-to-be, discovers her mother's old diary and invites three men from her past to her wedding, believing one of them is her father. The film follows the comedic and emotional fallout as the three men arrive and Sophie tries to uncover the truth.

**What is the significance of the film's music?**  
The music is entirely composed of ABBA songs, which are central to the narrative and emotional core of the film. The film's soundtrack became a global phenomenon, contributing to its box office success.

**What is the runtime of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
The film has a runtime of 108 minutes.

**What awards did *Mamma Mia!* win?**  
The film was nominated for and won several awards, including the European Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (Pierce Brosnan) and the European Film Award for Best Actress (Meryl Streep).

**What is the sequel to *Mamma Mia!*?**  
The sequel is titled *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*, released in 2018 and directed by Ol Parker.

**What is the box office performance of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
*Mamma Mia!* grossed over $609 million globally, making it one of the highest-grossing jukebox musical films of all time.

**What are the main themes of *Mamma Mia!*?**  
The main themes include love, family, identity, and self-discovery, all conveyed through the music of ABBA.

## Why It Matters
*Mamma Mia!* is significant for its unique use of ABBA's music to drive its narrative, creating a new genre of jukebox musical that influenced a generation of film and stage productions. It demonstrated that a film built around a catalog of existing music could achieve both critical and commercial success. The film's global popularity led to a sequel and a resurgence in ABBA's music, introducing the band to a new generation. It also showcased the power of musical storytelling and proved that feel-good, accessible cinema could resonate across cultures. Its impact on the musical film genre, box office performance, and cultural relevance has made it a modern classic.

## Notable For
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over $609 million globally, making it one of the highest-grossing jukebox musicals.
- **Cultural Impact**: Revitalized interest in ABBA's music and introduced it to a new generation.
- **Global Appeal**: Released in over 50 countries, with release dates spanning from 2008 to 2009.
- **Cast**: Features an ensemble of internationally acclaimed actors including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Amanda Seyfried.
- **Soundtrack**: Entirely composed of ABBA songs, which are central to the film's narrative.
- **Awards**: Nominated for and won several international film and music awards.
- **Sequel**: Spawned a successful sequel, *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* (2018).
- **Filming Locations**: Filmed on location in Greece, specifically on the islands of Skanes, Kalymnos, and Corfu.
- **Cultural Representation**: Represents a shift in musical films by using existing popular songs to tell a new story.
- **Legacy**: Continues to be a reference point for jukebox musicals and has influenced a new generation of musical films.

## Body

### Production and Development
- **Director**: Phyllida Lloyd, known for directing the original stage musical, returned to direct the film.
- **Production Companies**: The film was produced by Playtone, Littlestar Productions, and PolyGram.
- **Release Dates**: The film was released in multiple countries, with the earliest release on July 11, 2008, and subsequent releases continuing into 2009.
- **Box Office Gross**: The film grossed $609,896,805 globally.
- **Runtime**: The film has a runtime of 108 minutes.
- **Countries of Origin**: United Kingdom, United States, and Germany.
- **Language**: The film is in English.
- **Distributor**: Universal Pictures.

### Plot and Story
- **Premise**: The story follows Sophie, a young woman who, before her wedding, invites three men from her mother's past in an attempt to discover her father's identity.
- **Setting**: The film is set on the Greek island of Kalymnos, where the characters navigate love, identity, and reconciliation.
- **Themes**: The film explores themes of love, family, and self-discovery, all set to the music of ABBA.

### Cast and Characters
- **Main Cast**: Meryl Streep as Donna, Pierce Brosnan as Sam, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, Colin Firth as Harry, Julie Walters as Rosie, and Dominic Cooper as Sky.
- **Supporting Cast**: The film also features Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, and others in key roles.
- **Character Development**: The characters are developed through the music and narrative, with each song revealing more about their relationships and past.

### Music and Soundtrack
- **Soundtrack Composition**: The film's soundtrack is composed entirely of ABBA songs, which are central to the narrative.
- **Music's Role**: The music is not just background but a driving force in the storytelling, with each song chosen to reflect the characters' emotions and situations.
- **Cultural Impact**: The soundtrack's success led to a resurgence in ABBA's popularity and introduced the band to a new generation.

### Awards and Recognition
- **European Film Awards**: The film was nominated for and won several awards, including the European Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (Pierce Brosnan) and the European Film Award for Best Actress (Meryl Streep).
- **Other Awards**: The film received recognition at various international film festivals and award ceremonies.

### Sequel
- **Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again**: The success of the original film led to a sequel, released in 2018 and directed by Ol Parker.

### Filming Locations
- **Greece**: The film was shot on location in Greece, specifically on the islands of Skanes, Kalymnos, and Corfu.
- **Visuals**: The Greek islands provided a picturesque backdrop that complemented the film's feel-good narrative.

### Legacy
- **Influence on Musical Films**: *Mamma Mia!* demonstrated that a film built around a catalog of existing music could achieve both critical and commercial success.
- **Cultural Impact**: The film's global popularity led to a resurgence in ABBA's music, introducing the band to a new generation.
- **Box Office Success**: The film's box office performance made it one of the highest-grossing jukebox musicals of all time.

### Related Projects
- **Stage Musical**: The film is based on the stage musical of the same name, which was written by Catherine Johnson and first performed in 1999.
- **Sequel**: The film's success led to a sequel, *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*, released in 2018.

### Technical Details
- **Cinematography**: Haris Zambarloukos was the cinematographer, capturing the vibrant and colorful Greek island setting.
- **Editing**: The film was edited by Michael Tronick and Jari Kemppainen.
- **Costume Design**: The costumes were designed by Michele Clapton, who created a colorful and whimsical wardrobe that matched the film's tone.

### Reception
- **Critical Reception**: The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its feel-good nature and performances.
- **Box Office Performance**: The film's box office gross of over $609 million demonstrated its global appeal.
- **Cultural Impact**: The film's use of ABBA's music helped introduce the band to a new generation, leading to a resurgence in their popularity.

### Legacy and Influence
- **Musical Films**: *Mamma Mia!* influenced a generation of film and stage productions, proving that a film built around a catalog of existing music could achieve both critical and commercial success.
- **ABBA's Music**: The film's success led to a resurgence in ABBA's music, introducing the band to a new generation.
- **Global Appeal**: The film's global popularity led to a resurgence in ABBA's music, introducing the band to a new generation.

### Conclusion
*Mamma Mia!* is a landmark in musical films, demonstrating that a film built around a catalog of existing music could achieve both critical and commercial success. Its influence on the jukebox musical genre, box office performance, and cultural relevance has made it a modern classic. The film's use of ABBA's music helped introduce the band to a new generation, leading to a resurgence in their popularity. The film's global appeal and success led to a sequel, *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*, released in 2018.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/)
2. [Source](https://www.siamzone.com/movie/m/5184)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=125562.html)
4. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/mamma-mia)
5. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/mamma-mia!)
6. [Source](https://www.lahiguera.net/cinemania/pelicula/3207/comentario.php#:~:text=Se%20ha%20hablado%20y%20escrito,descubrir%20quién%20es%20su%20padre.)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. Freebase Data Dumps
10. Letterboxd
11. The Movie Database
12. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
13. Mamma Mia!. Rotten Tomatoes
14. Lexicon of international films
15. BFI Film & TV Database
16. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=66668&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
17. [Kinopolis](http://www.mathaeser.de/mm/film/624C3000012PLXMQDD.php)
18. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/releaseinfo)
19. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mammamia.htm)
20. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_inf)
21. Box Office Mojo
22. Kinopoisk
23. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/mamma-mia-the-movie/)
24. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
25. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
26. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2014&s_month=3&e_year=2014&e_month=3&pageID=2)
27. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/121215)
28. Online-Filmdatenbank
29. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=31815)
30. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
31. Quora
32. Bechdel Test Movie List
33. mymovies.it
34. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/1C45-C1A4-4EA1-4DC2-16A1-9)
35. Danish Film Database
36. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=298355)
37. Virtual International Authority File
38. TheTVDB
39. Trakt.tv
40. FilmVandaag.nl