<P> Mamma Mia! (promoted as Mamma Mia! The Movie) is a 2008 American musical romantic comedy film based on the 1999 musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson . The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and distributed by Universal Pictures in partnership with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's Playtone and Littlestar, and the title originates from ABBA's 1975 chart - topper "Mamma Mia". Meryl Streep heads the cast, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan . Pierce Brosnan (Sam Carmichael), Colin Firth (Harry Bright), and Stellan Skarsgård (Bill Anderson) play the three possible fathers to Donna's daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). Mamma Mia! received mixed reviews from critics and earned $615 million on a $52 million budget, becoming the 5th highest - grossing film of 2008 . </P> <P> A sequel, titled Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, is scheduled for a July 20, 2018 release in the United States with most of the cast returning to reprise their roles . </P> <P> On the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20 - year - old bride - to - be Sophie Sheridan reveals to her bridesmaids that she has secretly invited three men to her wedding without telling her mother, Donna . They are the men that her mother's diary reveals could have been her father: Irish - American architect Sam Carmichael, Swedish adventurer and writer Bill Anderson, and British banker Harry Bright . She dreams of being given away by her father at her wedding, and believes that after she spends time with them she will know which is her father . </P> <P> Sophie's mother Donna, who owns a villa, is ecstatic to reunite with her former Dynamos bandmates, wisecracking author Rosie Mulligan and wealthy multiple divorcée Tanya Chesham - Leigh, and reveals her bafflement at her daughter's desire to get married . Donna shows off the villa to Rosie and Tanya . The three men arrive and Sophie smuggles them to their room . She does not reveal that she believes one of them is her father, but does explain that she and not her mother sent the invitations . She begs them to hide so Donna will be surprised by the old friends of whom she "so often" favourably speaks . They overhear Donna working and swear not to reveal Sophie's secret . </P>

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