MAMMA MIA! Becomes Highest Grossing Release Ever at UK B.O.

Universal Picture's romantic musical comedy Mamma Mia! has ended the decade long reign of Titanic in the UK becoming the highest grossing movie ever to be released in the U.K.

The record was broken just a few days after the film picked up two Golden Globe nominations for best picture (musical or comedy) and best actress (musical or comedy) for star Meryl Streep.

Commenting on Mamma Mia!'s success, David Kosse, president of Universal Pictures International said: "For Mamma Mia! to make history in this way and beat Titanic, which has held the record in the U.K. since 1998, is truly phenomenal. This film has exceeded our expectations and delighted audiences around the world since it opened in July. This box-office record is a tribute to producer Judy Craymer, director Phyllida Lloyd, writer Catherine Johnson and our brilliant cast who worked so hard on this film."

Per Nielsen/EDI, Mamma Mia! has beaten longtime UK box-office record holder Titanic (£69,025,646) to gross £69, 068,073 to date followed by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (£66,096,060) at number three (see chart below).

Now in its 23rd week of release in the U.K., Mamma Mia! has become the number one film of the year in 15 countries including Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Sweden. It recently crossed the $570 million mark worldwide becoming one of Universal's top grossing and most profitable movies ever.

Meryl Streep leads the all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical which stars Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård and Dominic Cooper.

The film, still currently on nationwide release, was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman. Executive producers are Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Mark Huffam. Screenplay was written by Catherine Johnson with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Meryl Streep lead an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical that has been seen by more than 30 million people in 170 cities and eight languages around the world. Bringing the timeless lyrics and melodies of iconic super group ABBA to movie audiences, summer 2008 is the season for MAMMA MIA!

The feature film adaptation of the global stage hit production brings the magic of ABBA's music to the silver screen. With rising star Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skasgârd, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, the film features the stars' versions of 17 ABBA classics in this celebration of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads.

The three women who created the worldwide smash stage hit—global producer Judy Craymer, writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd—repeat their roles in bringing this joyful, musical story to the big screen. The MAMMA MIA! film is produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman.

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Streep) is about to let go of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Julie Walters) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski)—from her one-time backing band, Donna & the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

For more information visit www.mammamiamovie.com

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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