One of the most celebrated musical films of recent years has just become available to stream completely free of charge for UK audiences. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the beloved sequel to the 2008 smash hit, has landed on ITVX, giving viewers the perfect opportunity to revisit the sun-drenched Greek islands and iconic Abba tunes.
What makes this musical so special?
The film serves as both a prequel and sequel to the original Mamma Mia!, taking viewers on two parallel journeys through time. In the present day, Amanda Seyfried returns as Sophie, who is renovating her mother's hotel while dealing with relationship strains and logistical nightmares. Meanwhile, flashbacks to 1979 reveal how a young Donna, brilliantly portrayed by Lily James, graduated from Oxford University and embarked on European adventures that led to her encounters with three potential fathers.
The ensemble cast reads like a who's who of Hollywood and British acting royalty. Meryl Streep, Dame Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Stellan Skarsgård all reprise their roles from the original film. The sequel also introduces younger versions of key characters, with Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan, and Jeremy Irvine playing the youthful counterparts to Donna's three love interests.
Star power and critical acclaim
Perhaps the most dazzling addition to the cast is music icon Cher, who plays Donna's glamorous grandmother Ruby Sheridan. Her performance, alongside the return of the original cast members, creates a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh energy that critics and audiences have celebrated.
The film proved to be a massive commercial success, grossing $402 million worldwide against a $75 million budget. More importantly, it won over critics who praised its emotional depth and infectious musical numbers. The Observer's Mark Kermode declared: "I simply can't imagine how Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again could be any better than it is. I loved it to pieces and I can't wait to go again!"
Andrea Gronvall of the Chicago Reader went even further, stating that "this exuberant sequel easily tops the 2008 musical hit." Meanwhile, audience members like CSA described it as "truly one of the greatest musical movies of modern time!"
What about Mamma Mia! 3?
For fans worried that the second film might mark the end of the Mamma Mia! universe, there's exciting news on the horizon. In 2020, a third film was officially confirmed, and earlier this year Amanda Seyfried provided a promising update. The actress revealed her determination to bring Cher back for another outing, telling E! News: "Cher is definitely going to be in it. I mean, I wouldn't want to do it without her at this point."
However, Seyfried also noted that the project remains in early development stages, joking that "there's got to be a contest where somebody writes Mamma Mia! 3." While details remain scarce, the confirmation that discussions are ongoing will delight the franchise's devoted fanbase.
For now, viewers can enjoy Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again streaming free on ITVX, complete with all the Abba classics, Greek island scenery, and heartfelt storytelling that made it such a beloved addition to the musical film genre.
