Mamma Mia to be UK's highest grosser of all time

London (ANI): Abba-themed musical Mamma Mia! is all set to become the highest grossing film of all time at the British box office. The film, set on an idyllic Greek Island, has so far taken 66.2 million pounds in the UK since its release on July 18.

"Mamma Mia! is pure escapism, providing a fun and inexpensive way to forget about the state of the economy for a couple of hours," the Telegraph quoted David Kosse, the president of Universal Pictures International, as saying. The film, cost 28 million pounds to make, has taken 342 million pounds in box offices around the world.

While Titantic took a total of 69 million pounds at the British box office, in its first 16 weeks, Mamma Mia! is 1 million ahead of where the 200 million pounds James Cameron blockbuster was at the same stage. In Britain, the film has contributed to what has become the best summer for cinema attendance in 40 years. Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors'' Association (CEA), said the Mamma Mia! has proved an "absolute phenomenon ... In times of economic gloom, people seek affordable and escapist entertainment."

"Even cinema industry veterans have been taken by surprise by the popularity of cinema this summer. We knew that admissions generally hold up well when the economy falters but, combined with a series of high-quality movies, that has produced a truly exceptional period for UK cinema," Clapp added.

The top 10 highest grossing film at the British box office are:

1. Titanic £ 69.026m
2. Mamma Mia! £ 66.200m
3. Harry Potter 1 £ 66.096m
4. Lord Of The Rings 1 £ 63.009m
5. Lord Of The Rings 2 £ 61.062m
6. Lord Of The Rings 3 £ 57.600m
7. Casino Royale £ 55.600m
8. Harry Potter 2 £ 54.781m
9. Pirates of the c. 2 £ 52.516m
10. Full Monty, £ 52.232m