Mega sharks and ‘Mamma Mia’: Ranking the worst looking summer blockbusters

Summer has always been the season when studios bet big on spectacle and escapism, and the 2018 slate delivered its share of glossy misfires that still managed to pull crowds indoors. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again sits comfortably at the enjoyably trashy end of that spectrum, a sequel nobody demanded that somehow turned into one of the year’s most reliable crowd-pleasers. The film keeps the ABBA jukebox format intact while swapping in enough new numbers to feel like a fresh trip rather than a retread, and the Greek-island setting still delivers the same sun-soaked fantasy that first hooked audiences a decade earlier.

8. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Meryl Streep (The Post), Christine Baranski (Into the Woods), Julie Walters (Brooklyn), and Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) all return for this clearly unnecessary sequel to what originally seemed like an unnecessary film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. But we were wrong then and we’re probably wrong now. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again looks absolutely dreadful but holy shit we can’t wait to get slightly buzzed and watch it surrounded by middle aged women and the loudest queens from our local gay bar. Plus – the great holy goddess Cher is in this one, ladies and gentlemen and we all owe her our infinite adoration. Worldwide gross reached $402.3 million and the film earned an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting the improved musical numbers and the cast’s obvious chemistry. Cher’s role as Donna’s mother in a key sequence added generational star power that helped the picture cross over beyond the core fan base.

Franchise Legacy and Cultural Staying Power

The 2018 entry contributed to a long-running musical phenomenon that continues to resonate in pop culture and fan discussions. The film grossed over $400 million and became one of the highest-grossing musicals at the time. Ongoing fan campaigns and cast enthusiasm keep the series relevant, with the ABBA catalog still finding new listeners who discover the movies before they ever hear the original records. The Greek-island fantasy has become its own mini-genre, referenced in everything from bachelorette playlists to summer travel wish lists.

Cher's Iconic Cameo Impact

Cher appears as Donna’s mother in a key musical sequence that functions as both fan-service payoff and generational handoff. Her involvement added star power and generational appeal, drawing in viewers who might have skipped a straight sequel but couldn’t resist the chance to see the icon in full disco-regalia. The number itself plays like a greatest-hits reel of Cher’s own career, and audiences responded with the kind of sing-along energy usually reserved for concert films.

Summer Musical Blockbusters Beyond 2018

The 2018 film helped sustain interest in jukebox musical adaptations, proving that summer audiences would still turn out for big, bright, unapologetically silly song-and-dance spectacles. Recent years have seen continued musical releases during summer seasons, from jukebox revivals to original scores that borrow the same sun-drenched, escapist logic. The Mamma Mia formula—over-the-top production numbers, familiar hits, and a vacation-ready setting—has quietly become a reliable counter-programming option when the rest of the blockbuster slate leans darker or more effects-heavy.

Cast Reflections and Reunion Buzz

Amanda Seyfried actively advocates for future installments, stating she will keep pushing until a third film happens. Original cast members have reflected positively on the experience in later interviews, often citing the on-set camaraderie and the unexpected longevity of a project that began as a lark. Producers have confirmed that development on Mamma Mia! 3 is underway with a script ready, though no firm release date has been set. Seyfried has floated the idea of filming during summer 2026, which would keep the franchise’s seasonal rhythm intact.

The film’s lasting appeal rests on its willingness to stay exactly what it is: a brightly colored, slightly ridiculous sing-along that asks very little of viewers beyond showing up and joining in. That same unpretentious energy is what keeps people returning to the theater every few years when the next installment surfaces, and it explains why the 2018 sequel still feels like the right kind of summer nonsense rather than an embarrassing relic.