Mamma Mia! (2008)

54% of critics liked it
(175 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(382,898 ratings)

Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once-rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to her upcoming wedding in this feature adaptation of the beloved stage musical. Independent-minded single mother… More Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once-rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to her upcoming wedding in this feature adaptation of the beloved stage musical. Independent-minded single mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has always done her best to raise her spirited daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), while simultaneously running a successful hotel on a small Greek island, but now the time has come for this hardworking mom to finally let go. In just a few days, Sophie will be married, and Donna will stand by bittersweetly as her little girl takes flight. Of course, Donna's lifelong friends Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) will both be present at the wedding, but unbeknownst to the mother, Sophie has furtively invited three very special guests of her own. When Sophie walks down the aisle on that fateful day, she wants her father to hand her off. The only problem is that Donna has never revealed the true identity of Sophie's father, leaving the resourceful future bride to narrow the list down to three potential candidates. Now, as three key figures from Donna's past return to the picturesque Mediterranean shores they all walked 20 years prior, one beautiful bride will discover the secret of her past while one lonely mother finds out that it's never too late for a little romance. Phyllida Lloyd, director of both the original London sensation as well as the hit Broadway incarnation, makes her feature directorial debut with this big-screen version of the beloved musical featuring 22 classic ABBA hits. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, and Dominic Cooper co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd
Written By: Catherine Johnson
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 30, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Dec 16, 2008
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
A sage once advised being wary of movies in which the people on screen are having more fun than the people in the audience. Mamma mia, was that good advice.
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer
Streep's 'Mamma Mia!' Is Like Taking a Tiny Vacation
Anthony Lane, New Yorker
The legal definition of torture has been much aired in recent years, and I take Mamma Mia! to be a useful contribution to that debate.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A lot of fun.
Dana Stevens, Slate
The movie's spirit is somewhere between High School Musical and Hedwig and the Angry Inch; it's at once dorkily wholesome and proudly slutty.
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
If you're invited, you might as well enjoy yourself. Just don't say I didn't warn you. And don't you dare say I hate ABBA.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Yeah, it's all a little bit on the camp side. It's a musical based on the songs of ABBA. A little bit camp is probably the height of restraint.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A mostly ghastly spectacle
Dragan Antulov, Index.hr
Mnoge od scena su nadrealno %u0161a%u0161ave
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Skip it, not because it's a chick flick, but because it doesn't aim to be more than fluff
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
After this, after "Movin' Out" (based on the deplorable songbook of one Willliam Joel), it's not even satire to suggest that the next big thing will be a musical inspired by the oeuvre of Howard Jones
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...certain sequences are inherently far more affecting and engaging than others.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
It wasn't a perfect adaptation, but it definitely captured the flavor, spirit and fun of the original material.
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
More fluff like "Mamma Mia!" than "Made of Honor" would make mid-year moviegoing a happier experience.
Sal Cinquemani, Slant Magazine
This special edition DVD of Mamma Mia! will be the perfect holiday gift for your ABBA-lovin' roommate%u2026and a reason for you to invest in earplugs. Ehhhhhhhhhhhh!
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
There's a neat free spirit versus family values message here, about a dad being no big deal when you can have three. Not to mention that family is more about who loves you, than whatever does or doesn't dangle between their legs.
Victor Olliver, Teletext
Streep is quite simply a revelation - and you can't say that of many stars who've been around since Abba first ruled the charts in the '70s.
Stephen Himes, Film Snobs
As for Meryl Streep, you sense that she's thinking what you're thinking: That she can't actually be in this movie.

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

The film makers seem to think they can adapt Abba songs into a shakesperean style masterpiece. You can't. It doesn't help the singing is terrible. A lot of people aren't keen on Amanda Seyfried and although she isn't "up there" with let's say...Meryl… More
The film makers seem to think they can adapt Abba songs into a shakesperean style masterpiece. You can't. It doesn't help the singing is terrible. A lot of people aren't keen on Amanda Seyfried and although she isn't "up there" with let's say...Meryl Streep. I think she's a good actor and she was the only reason that I kept watching Jennifers Body. But this movie apart from a couple songs is crap. It's got one of the weakest plots ever and it's very much forgettable. For a musical, it's not "up there" with Singin in the Rain and it's certainly not The Lion King. In short, it's low brow in every way as i've said. Both it's acting and storyline. What's worse is that it's aimed at the smallest and most idiotic target demographic ever. This movie didn't deserve to make a lot of money and i'll never quite understand why it did.
Brad W

Great musical, but will never watch again, its just really boring and bad acting, but I came for great music and I guess I got my fill.
Bethany M

One of the best musicals!
Cassie H

Absolutely, wonderful music told through the wonderful music of ABBA! You'll love it!!! :) :) :)
Nicki M

Well, here is a movie I never thought I would sit through, but finally I have, due to scoring a free copy. Well, firstly, to my shock, was not as awful as I expected. Mainly due to Amanda Seyfried. Wow, that girl can sing! The ending of the film was also a pleasant surprise. Yes,… More
Well, here is a movie I never thought I would sit through, but finally I have, due to scoring a free copy. Well, firstly, to my shock, was not as awful as I expected. Mainly due to Amanda Seyfried. Wow, that girl can sing! The ending of the film was also a pleasant surprise. Yes, some of the singing is bad, but it's Abba songs, so how good could they ever have been?! (not a fan - was force fed the stuff all through my childhood - my mother loved it). Also Meryl and co put you off ever wanting to be a middle aged woman - wanted to drag her out of those dreadful overalls at start of film. And Julie Walters - truly cringeable. Not a bad film. Good fun, am glad I saw it.
Lafe F

I was blown away by the high-energy fun-tastic Abba tunes brought to life by the story of a girl's wedding on a scenic Greek island, and inviting the three men who might be her father. Meryl Streep is superb, as are all the other characters. Pierce Brosnan's singing… More
I was blown away by the high-energy fun-tastic Abba tunes brought to life by the story of a girl's wedding on a scenic Greek island, and inviting the three men who might be her father. Meryl Streep is superb, as are all the other characters. Pierce Brosnan's singing wasn't too terrible. None of the tunes were bad. It all worked, and didn't disappoint me like that Hairspray movie.
Ginny

Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, what a combination! This was just sooo adorable! I recommend mothers to watch this movie with their daughters. Awesome cast, the music definitely fit the story, its such a lovely feel good movie ^_^ !
Summer W

I wanted to like it, but it was awful. It was just GOOFY. Not cute goofy, just lame goofy. It made me cringe watching the (surprisingly good) cast wail and flail their way around the musical numbers. Gag.
Jay H

Stupid, stupid plot. Dreadful singing. I regret not having deliberately damaged my hearing while watching this film.
Carlos M

Oh, I don't wanna talk, about the things I've gone through, watching this! I like ABBA, but this film is a total bore, what is the point of making a musical where almost no one can sing decently? Trashy, tacky, poorly directed, and Pierce Brosnan barks… More
Oh, I don't wanna talk, about the things I've gone through, watching this! I like ABBA, but this film is a total bore, what is the point of making a musical where almost no one can sing decently? Trashy, tacky, poorly directed, and Pierce Brosnan barks like a dog while trying to sing!
Richard C

what the hell. D
Lanning :

I tell you, Roger Ebert is becoming such an old fuddy-duddy. If you like that, Roger? Yeah, Roger, I for one do like ABBA, okay? Since you ask . . . sheesh! But I gotta say, I like ABBA a lot more when they are performing their music in concert, or on the radio, or on CD.… More
I tell you, Roger Ebert is becoming such an old fuddy-duddy. If you like that, Roger? Yeah, Roger, I for one do like ABBA, okay? Since you ask . . . sheesh! But I gotta say, I like ABBA a lot more when they are performing their music in concert, or on the radio, or on CD. Wait, let me back up. I like the idea of taking music and trying to flesh a story out of it. But not this story, and not with this music. I like ABBA by themselves -- with no fabricated story to weave the songs together. I don't particularly care for this movie. When you've watched enough musicals, you begin to get a sense for what it is that makes a good one. You come to understand that you, the viewer, are supposed to give over your accepted perception of reality and give in to the idea that people could actually break into song and dance at any moment in your life. That's a pretty hard give over and give in. It takes a really great musical to make you surrender yourself, to allow for your willing suspension of disbelief to kick in. Never happens in this movie. Totally unbelievable and almost, at times, ridiculous. The only moment at which I actually almost fell into believing what was going on was when Meryl Streep performs "Winner Takes It All." She does a superb job of singing and acting her way through that number. A very moving few minutes. Other than that, this movie gets high marks for its idea, but low marks for pulling it off.
♥Robyn

an ok movie i thought some of the acting was weak and some of the singing was more like karoke at the local pub!! didnt like meryl streep in this one!
Red L

Eh, it was OK. Sure Pierce Brosnan can't sing and the story is ludicrous, but its all in good fun. I'm glad I waited until it came on TV though. I like ABBA's music, so that helped.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominio Cooper, Pierce Bronsnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard DIRECTED BY: Phyllida Lloyd The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. I… More
Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominio Cooper, Pierce Bronsnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard DIRECTED BY: Phyllida Lloyd The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. I am the last person to be caught watching any type of a musical. BUT, since everyone was making such a fuss over this film, I thought I would see what it was all about. I have watched some musicals in the past and really didn't like them. I however have came across maybe two that I did like. I was really confused if I liked this movie or not. But I am pretty sure I did enjoy the watch. The story was OK. Character's were very funny. Some of the singing was good, some not so much. But all in all a fun movie that I don't think took itself very seriously. I think that made me like it more. Cause if it was trying to be serious and I somehow missed that, then this movie didn't pull that off at all. Great performances by all the actors. The ending with the little concert that was put on got entirely hillarious when the three male leads came on in those Elvis inspired outfits. Just too funny. So even if your not a musical kinda person like myself, you may still enjoy this movie. It's very funny. Honestly, I was going to turn it off thirty minutes in, but it got better. So give it a try just to see if this one can change your mind on liking at least one musical. :)
Wahida K

Not bad
Stuart B

ABBA ruined! Well done you stupid cows
Anthony L

What?s wrong with everyone? This is one of the worst films I've ever seen! The acting is awful, the singing is dreadful, the story is pitiful, the structure and how they work the songs into the script is laughable if not baffling and everyone shouts! Stop shouting!! Got a crap… More
What?s wrong with everyone? This is one of the worst films I've ever seen! The acting is awful, the singing is dreadful, the story is pitiful, the structure and how they work the songs into the script is laughable if not baffling and everyone shouts! Stop shouting!! Got a crap film to make? Better make it in Greece, people won't notice because the scenery is so beautiful! Someone?s laughing, someone?s pissing pina coladas and lighting their cigarettes with £50 notes on a tropical beach somewhere because you, the public, have no taste what so ever! If you like Abba, buy their CD's, if you like dancing go to a fucking disco, just don't buy into this crap! Rant over.
Leigh R

Okay, it was totaly FANTASTIC. Actually, it's not such a great movie, but that is what makes it so great. It's so corny that it reels you in loike you wouldn't believe. Plus, you have to love ABBA music. : )
Thomas B

enjoyable, yes. good, hardly.