It failed to impress the critics, but last night Mamma Mia! The Movie was given the thumbs up at the National Movie Awards when the public voted the film the year’s best musical.

The movie’s leading lady, Meryl Streep, beat Enchanted’s Amy Adams, Sweeney Todd’s Helena Bonham-Carter and Juno’s Ellen Page to take home the best female performance gong.

Accepting the award, the two-time Oscar winner told the audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall: "I loved the movie, I'm so glad you did."

Abba star and composer Björn Ulvaeus was obviously delighted to accept the best musical gong from Nicole Kidman.

"This is very emotional for me, getting this fantastic prize from an Australian lady here in the UK - the two countries, more than any other countries, which have taken Abba to their hearts," he said.

Voted for by the public in a nation-wide poll, the second annual awards also recognised the box-office Batman smash The Dark Knight with the best superhero film gong, and Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, with the action/adventure prize.

Johnny Depp won the male best male performance title for his role in the swashbuckling Sweeney Todd.

In his acceptance speech by video link, the star said: "I would like to thank every single one of you, shake you by the hand and take you for breakfast."

In the family section, the animated film Wall-E came out on top, beating Kung Fu Panda, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and The Golden Compass.

Juno was awarded the best comedy gong, ahead of the much-hyped Sex and the City movie.

The winners:

Superhero: The Dark Knight

Musical: Mamma Mia!

Action/adventure: Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

Comedy: Juno

Family: Wall-E

Performance, male: Johnny Depp

Performance, female: Meryl Streep

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