Mamma Mia!: Titanic's U.K. Record Run Aground

ABBA-scored musical barely edges Titanic to become all-time grosser at U.K. box office

Meryl Streep has sunk the Titanic in international waters.

The unflagging cheerfulness of ABBA conquered the red-hot chemistry between Leo and Kate this week as Mamma Mia! nudged aside the 11-time Oscar winner as the top-grossing film of all time at the U.K. box office.

The light 'n fluffy musical, en route to earning $571.7 million worldwide, has taken in $107.7 million across the pond after 22 weeks in theaters. Titanic held the record for 10 years after bagging 69 million pounds (about $107.5 million in today's currency) in 1998.

"Mamma Mia! is pure escapism, proving a fun and inexpensive way to forget about the state of the economy for a couple of hours," Universal Pictures International president David Kosse said Tuesday, calling the film a "true phenomenon."

DVD sales also went through the roof, with the jaunty romantic comedy sellling 1.7 million copies its first day out.

But not to worry: Titanic's record of $1.8 billion in global ticket sales will go on...and on.

Poll

Mamma Mia! Sinks Titanic Poll

Can you believe that Titanic has been surpassed at the U.K. box office?

Well, duh! Here I go (to the theater) again!

Well, duh! Here I go (to the theater) again!

21.1%

Weird. They must be putting something in the tea over there

Weird. They must be putting something in the tea over there

57.8%

I don't know what the big whoop is about either flick

I don't know what the big whoop is about either flick

21.1%

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