Mamma Mia 3 Teases a Sun-Soaked Return to Kalokairi with Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and a Potential ABBA-Filled Trilogy Finale — Find Out Why Fans Are Singing for This Long-Awaited Sequel!

The Mamma Mia Phenomenon: A Global Love Affair

Since Mamma Mia! burst onto screens in 2008, followed by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in 2018, the ABBA-powered musical franchise has become a cinematic juggernaut, grossing over $1 billion worldwide combined. The first film, starring Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan and Amanda Seyfried as her daughter Sophie, charmed audiences with its Greek island setting, infectious ABBA hits like “Dancing Queen,” and a heartwarming tale of love and family. The sequel, blending prequel flashbacks with Sophie’s journey, introduced Lily James as young Donna and added Cher as Ruby Sheridan, earning $402.3 million against a $75 million budget. Both films, available on Netflix in select regions like Australia and Germany, have fueled a renewed ABBA mania, with fans on X calling them “pure joy” and “the ultimate feel-good escape.”

As of May 7, 2025, Mamma Mia 3 remains unconfirmed by Universal Pictures, but the buzz is louder than ever. Producer Judy Craymer, the mastermind behind the stage musical and films, has teased a trilogy since 2020, and recent cast updates suggest movement behind the scenes. While no Netflix release is confirmed, the streaming giant’s hosting of the first two films in some markets has fans speculating about future involvement. Here’s everything we know about the potential third film, from cast enthusiasm to plot possibilities, and why it’s got everyone ready to say, “Here we go again!”

The Story So Far: A Recap of Mamma Mia’s Magic

Mamma Mia! (2008) follows Sophie, a young bride-to-be on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna’s past—Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarsgård), and Harry (Colin Firth)—hoping to discover her father before her wedding to Sky (Dominic Cooper). The film’s ABBA soundtrack, sunny vibes, and comedic chemistry made it a $611 million hit, despite mixed reviews (55% on Rotten Tomatoes). Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) serves as both sequel and prequel, set five years later as Sophie, now pregnant, reopens Donna’s Hotel Bella Donna after her mother’s death. Flashbacks reveal young Donna’s romances with Sam, Bill, and Harry, played by Jeremy Irvine, Josh Dylan, and Hugh Skinner. The sequel’s 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and emotional depth, capped by Streep’s ghostly cameo in “My Love, My Life,” left fans yearning for more.

The second film’s ending—Sophie embracing motherhood and reconnecting with Sky—set up tantalizing possibilities. Could Mamma Mia 3 explore Sophie’s life as a mother? Will Donna return in a creative way? And which ABBA songs remain to power the story? Let’s unpack the latest updates.

Development Status: Not Official, But Promising

Despite no official greenlight from Universal Pictures, Mamma Mia 3 is gaining momentum. Producer Judy Craymer has been vocal about her trilogy vision since 2020, telling the Daily Mail that she was set to develop the third film before COVID-19 delays. In May 2023, she told Deadline that the project was “in its earliest stages” but backed by Universal’s enthusiasm. By October 2023, Craymer assured Variety that the threequel “will happen,” citing a storyline and her work on the ITV talent show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream as a priority. The most concrete update came in August 2024, when Christine Baranski, who plays Tanya, told The Hollywood Reporter that she met Craymer in London, where the producer shared a “narrative plotline” for the film. Baranski emphasized Craymer’s track record, noting, “She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit.”

In November 2024, Pierce Brosnan echoed this optimism, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he met Craymer and believes the cast would “jump at the chance” to return. However, Amanda Seyfried, in March 2025, highlighted a hurdle to The Hollywood Reporter: Universal’s focus on Wicked 2, set for release in November 2025, has delayed musical projects like Mamma Mia 3, as the studio avoids overlapping blockbusters. Seyfried also noted budget concerns, joking to Vogue in 2023 that the all-star cast’s salaries could be a sticking point, saying, “The powers that be probably can’t afford us.”

Cast: Who’s Ready to Dance Again?

The Mamma Mia cast’s enthusiasm is a major driver. Here’s the likely lineup, based on their comments:

Amanda Seyfried as Sophie: Seyfried is all-in, telling Radio Times she’d give a “beyond yes” to reprising her role and Collider that the cast loves reuniting. She sees Sophie’s motherhood as a rich arc.

Meryl Streep as Donna: Despite Donna’s death, Streep is eager to return, telling Deadline in May 2024 that a meeting with Craymer was “imminent” to discuss ideas. She suggested to Vogue in 2023 a soap-opera twist, like Donna’s twin sister or reincarnation, and joked about needing a “knee scoping” for the dance numbers. Her ghostly cameo in the sequel proves she’s game for creative solutions.

Pierce Brosnan as Sam, Colin Firth as Harry, Stellan Skarsgård as Bill: The three dads are raring to go. Brosnan told Good Morning Britain in 2022, “I’m in,” and Skarsgård told Digital Spy he’d join “without reading the script.” Firth’s enthusiasm was clear in a 2023 Vogue oral history, where he relished the fun.

Christine Baranski as Tanya, Julie Walters as Rosie: Baranski’s August 2024 update confirms her excitement, and Walters has expressed similar eagerness in past interviews, per Cosmopolitan. Their comedic trio with Streep is a fan favorite.

Dominic Cooper as Sky: Cooper’s return is likely, given his role in Sophie’s story, though he’s been quieter about the threequel.

Lily James as Young Donna, Cher as Ruby Sheridan: James told Screen Rant in 2022 she’s “desperate” to return, joking about a “DNA test” plot to resolve Sophie’s paternity. Cher, who joined the sequel, told Good Morning Britain in 2023 she’s open but hasn’t seen a script.

Potential Newcomers: Alexander Skarsgård, Stellan’s son, told Digital Spy he’d love a role to work with Streep, not his dad.

Plot Speculation: What Could Happen?

Craymer’s “narrative plotline” remains under wraps, but cast comments offer clues. Baranski hinted to The Hollywood Reporter that the story would unfold on a “fabulous Greek or Croatian island,” suggesting Kalokairi or a new locale. Streep’s twin-sister or reincarnation idea could bring Donna back, perhaps in flashbacks or a supernatural twist, like her ghostly appearance in the sequel’s christening scene. Seyfried’s focus on Sophie’s motherhood suggests a story centered on her raising her child, possibly mirroring Donna’s journey, with ABBA songs tying past and present.

Lily James’s “DNA test” quip, while playful, could address Sophie’s paternity, unresolved in the films. Alternatively, the plot might explore Sophie’s hotel management, new romances for Tanya and Rosie, or Sky’s role as a father. Cher’s Ruby could return, perhaps revealing more about Donna’s past. Craymer told Variety in 2023 that there’s “a story there,” and with ABBA’s catalog still rich with unused tracks like “Knowing Me, Knowing You” (cut from the sequel) or “Voulez-Vous,” the soundtrack will be a highlight.

Release and Netflix Speculation

No release date exists without confirmation, but if production begins in 2025, as Seyfried’s Wicked 2 comments suggest, a 2026 or 2027 premiere is plausible. The first film took 18 months from filming to release (2007-2008), and the sequel followed a similar timeline (2017-2018). Universal’s focus on Wicked 2 may push Mamma Mia 3 to late 2026 at earliest.

While Netflix streams Mamma Mia! and Here We Go Again in regions like Austria and the UK, there’s no evidence of a Mamma Mia 3 Netflix deal. Universal typically releases films theatrically, and both prior movies were box-office giants. A Netflix release would be a shift, possibly as a streaming exclusive post-theatrical run, but for now, it’s speculative. Fans can watch the first two on Peacock or Hulu in the U.S. or use a VPN for Netflix in supported countries.

Why It Matters: The Mamma Mia Magic

Mamma Mia’s appeal lies in its escapist joy—Greek sunsets, ABBA anthems, and a cast that radiates fun. The first film’s 6.5/10 IMDb rating and the sequel’s 6.6/10 reflect mixed critical reception, but their 55% and 79% Rotten Tomatoes scores show audience love. Fans on X call the films “comfort food,” with Baranski noting to The Hollywood Reporter that they “make people happy.” The franchise’s $75 million budgets versus $1 billion gross prove its bankability, and Craymer’s trilogy plan aligns with Universal’s hunger for hits.

Challenges Ahead

Seyfried’s budget concerns are real—the cast’s star power (Streep, Brosnan, Cher) demands hefty salaries. Streep joked to Vogue about calling it “Grand-Mamma Mia!” due to delays, and Seyfried told Town & Country that “fair” pay is key. Universal’s Wicked focus and Craymer’s TV commitments could further slow progress. Still, the cast’s willingness and Craymer’s determination make it feel inevitable.

Final Thoughts: A Dream Worth Waiting For

Mamma Mia 3 may not be official, but the stars are aligning for a triumphant return to Kalokairi. With Meryl Streep brainstorming Donna’s comeback, Amanda Seyfried eager to lead, and Judy Craymer crafting a plot, the third film promises more ABBA-fueled joy. Whether it’s Sophie’s motherhood, a paternity reveal, or Tanya and Rosie’s antics, the story will deliver the heart and humor fans crave. While a Netflix release remains a fan wish, the first two films’ streaming availability keeps the vibe alive. So, dust off your platform boots, queue up “Super Trouper,” and stay tuned—this dancing queen is ready to shine again.