Here We Go Again! Everything We Know About Mamma Mia 3, Including If Meryl Streep Plans to Return

The beloved Mamma Mia! franchise might not be over yet.

Christine Baranski, known for her role as Tanya, revealed that a third installment is in the works during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2024.

The actress shared that she recently met with producer Judy Craymer, who is already “planning Mamma Mia 3.” Baranski added, “She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen. That’s all I can say!”

In teasing another sun-soaked adventure, Baranski noted that she’s optimistic about Craymer’s ability to “make things happen.” The Good Fight star noted, “She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Kramer to get everybody back together.”

Baranski’s enthusiasm comes three months after Mamma Mia! star Meryl Streep told Deadline in May 2024 that a meeting was “imminent” regarding proposals for her character’s return in a third film.

Here’s everything we know so far about the possibility of Mamma Mia! 3.

Is there going to be a Mamma Mia! 3?

While nothing has been officially confirmed, Craymer told Daily Mail in June 2020 that a third movie was always part of the plan when she adapted the musical for the big screen.

"I think one day there will be another film, because there’s meant to be a trilogy," the Mamma Mia! creator said.

Fast forward to May 2023, the producer told Deadline that a third Mamma Mia! was "in its earliest stages,” but that nothing was "official" yet. Still, she voiced her vision of it being a three-movie series for a second time.

“I don’t want to over-egg it, but I know there’s a trilogy there.”

What has the cast said about returning for Mamma Mia! 3?

Baranski isn’t the first cast member of the Mamma Mia! franchise to express their enthusiasm about reprising their role in another film.

In an interview with Deadline, Streep, who took the lead as Donna in the first two films, said that a pressing meeting was in the works with respect to the possibility of her character (who died in the second film) returning for another installment.

“I don’t know how they’re going to do it,” she added. “They have an idea. I haven’t heard it yet but it’s in [my diary] and I’m going to hear about it pretty soon,” the Oscar-winning actress said, adding, “Of course I want to do it. I think folks love it.”

A year prior, Craymer revealed to Deadline in May 2023 that Streep reprising her role isn’t out of the question, explaining how much the actress enjoyed her character. 

“There is a story there, and I do think Meryl should come back — and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna,” she said. 

Amanda Seyfried, who plays Streep’s on-screen daughter, Sophie, told Collider in June 2020 that losing Donna may open up more opportunities for continuing the narrative.

“Having Meryl’s character die kind of gave us so many good storylines,” she said. “It was kind of a genius idea because you're like, ‘No, we don't want to lose her.’ But at the same time, look at what you can do, you can go back.”

The Mean Girls alum added that the prospect of a third film would have overwhelming support from the cast.

“Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other,” Seyfried told the outlet. “That's what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we'd end up here again on an Island in Croatia?”

In October 2024, Seyfried threw out a possible shoo-in to play her daughter in the third movie: Sabrina Carpenter. Inspiration struck after the singer performed the song "Mamma Mia" while on tour.

"Old age makeup for me. I don't mind. I'm an actor, I'll do it," she said in a video shared on ABC News' TikTok. "If Sabrina Carpenter wants to play my daughter, I'll make it happen. It's fine. I'm a big fan."

While Streep and Seyfried both expressed excitement, Baranski’s update is the most promising, as she told The Hollywood Reporter that “it’s not like, ‘Oh, I wish it could happen!’ Judy Kramer makes things happen.”

She noted that a third film would undoubtedly bring joy to fans of the franchise. “It’s just the kind of movie that makes people happy,” Baranski said. “Mamma Mia made so many millions of people around the world happy.”

When will Mamma Mia! 3 be released?

A release date for a potential third Mamma Mia! movie hasn't been announced by Universal Pictures.

How did Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again leave off?

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again served as both a prequel and a sequel to the first movie.

In the present, Sophie (Seyfried) prepares for the grand reopening of the Hotel Bella Donna in honor of her late mother, Donna (Streep). Throughout the film, we see flashbacks of a young Donna (Lily James) as she journeys to Kalokairi and her romances with young versions of Harry (Hugh Skinner), Bill (Josh Dylan) and Sam (Jeremy Irvine).

Meanwhile, Sophie grapples with her estranged relationship with Sky (Dominic Cooper) and the absence of her fathers — Harry (Colin Firth), Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) and Sam (Pierce Brosnan) — who are all overseas.

The movie concludes with a joyous celebration where Sophie, now pregnant, reconnects with Sky and feels closer to her mother than ever. The arrival of her grandmother, Ruby (Cher) and a reunion with her long-lost lover, Fernando (Andy García), adds to the festivities.

The film ends with Sophie giving birth to her son, Donny, while Donna's spirit watches over.

Where can I watch Mamma Mia! 1 and 2?

While fans await more updates on a potential third film, Mamma Mia! is available to watch on Max.

Viewers can also rent the first and second movie on Amazon Prime. The same is true for Apple TV+ for Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Google Play also offers both films to buy or rent.