The musical was actually already an international hit before the movie was made ... it opened in London in 99 or 2000, and toured around the world (huge, HUGE in Japan) and it's not even really considered an American movie (it's not set in America) in some ways ... it helps that the ABBA music was already sort of international ... plus the simplified story helped it translate well.

Though I have to say, my wife didn't care for it, and she loves these kinda movies.

Bottom line, teh original musical was a HUGE event across the world, and that helped a lot.

exactly. never underestimate the power of abba - especially internationally.