NEWS COPY
Mama Mia: Here We Go Again could be crowned the Oscar's ‘popular film’ of 2018.
The all-singing, all-dancing, feel good film featuring a cast of famous faces is leading the way, according to redemption data from Meerkat Movies.
Coming in second to the Abba-tastic tribute sequel is Avengers: Infinity War, shortly followed by Black Panther.
The figures show Deadpool 2 and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom would come in at fourth and fifth place.
Julie Daniels, head of Meerkat Movies at Compare the Market said: “The introduction of the new popular choice category will mean that a wider variety of films will be vying for glory at the Academy Awards than ever before
“Our latest data shows it could be the year that a musical goes one further than La La Land, which came close in 2017, with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again currently leading the way in Meerkat Movie redemptions this year.
“However, with a number of huge blockbusters on the horizon, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Fantastic Beasts 2, and Mary Poppins, there’s plenty of competition.”
Nearly two-thirds of those polled agreed film awards tend to overly represent films that the critics rate but the public do not particularly like.
It’s no wonder an equal number are in favour of the new ‘popular film’ award.
If the nation were to get their way, Dunkirk would have come out on top for ‘Best film’ in 2017, ahead of the actual winner The Shape of Water.
In fact, a poll of 1,000 UK adults found if film awards were to become a popularity contest, The Shape of Water wouldn’t even have made the top five.
The Darkest Hour came in second in the study, just a fraction ahead of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
With Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Beauty and the Beast coming in fourth and fifth.
Other films to be featured on the list were Wonder Woman, IT, Thor: Ragnarok and Blade Runner 2049.
Julie Daniels added: “Whether it’s the latest action movie, a rom-com or a three-hour biopic, Meerkat Movies helps people enjoy a trip to the movies whatever their taste. With two-for-one cinema tickets, there’s a chance our customers might brave a film outside their comfort zone every now and again too.”
Top five films for 2019 Oscars ‘Popular film’ award so far.
According to 2018 Meerkat Movie redemptions data
1. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again
2. Avengers: Infinity War
3. Black Panther
4. Deadpool 2
5. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Top 10 films for 2017
According to a poll of 1,000 UK adults
1. Dunkirk
2. Darkest Hour
3. Three Billboards Outside, Ebbing Missouri
4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
5. Beauty and the Beast
6. The Shape of Water
7. Wonder Woman
8. IT
9. Thor: Ragnarok
10. Blade Runner 2049
ENDS
