Bridget Jones is back, and she’s making history once again. The fourth installment in the beloved franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, has shattered box office records in the UK and Ireland, achieving the highest-ever opening for a romantic comedy in the region.
According to Universal, the film raked in an impressive $15.5 million (£12.3 million) in its first weekend, surpassing all expectations and cementing its place as one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. Notably, it even outperformed Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel’s first major release of 2025, proving that Bridget’s enduring charm continues to captivate audiences.
The film’s record-breaking debut dethrones Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the second installment in the franchise, which previously held the title with an opening weekend haul of $13.1 million (£10.4 million).
The impressive numbers highlight the enduring appeal of Bridget’s story, which has resonated with fans for nearly three decades. Despite being a cultural phenomenon in the UK, Bridget Jones has never reached the same level of recognition in the US. Reflecting this trend, Mad About the Boy bypassed a theatrical release in America, instead premiering directly on Universal’s streaming service, Peacock.
The film’s extraordinary success in the UK follows an equally impressive pre-sales campaign, which outpaced the record-breaking advance ticket sales of Barbie. The 2023 Margot Robbie-led film, which formed one-half of the viral “Barbenheimer” box office event, was considered a cultural juggernaut.
Yet, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy managed to surpass its early sales figures, demonstrating the lasting love audiences have for the character and her relatable misadventures. The film was produced by Working Title, the powerhouse production company behind some of Britain’s most iconic romantic comedies, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Notting Hill. It is now officially their highest-opening film to date.
Bridget’s latest escapade has also broken franchise records in multiple European countries, including Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. This widespread success proves that Bridget’s story transcends cultural boundaries, resonating with audiences far beyond the UK.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has been embraced by moviegoers, earning an impressive 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The enthusiastic audience reception suggests that while Bridget’s clumsy, heartfelt, and often chaotic journey may not always win over film reviewers, it continues to strike a chord with viewers who see a bit of themselves in her.
The character of Bridget Jones first appeared in 1995 as a series of anonymous columns written by journalist Helen Fielding for The Independent. What began as a humorous take on modern single life quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation.
Fielding later expanded Bridget’s story into a series of bestselling novels, which in turn led to the successful film adaptations. Over the years, Bridget has become more than just a fictional character—she has entered pop culture as an enduring symbol of the ups and downs of modern womanhood.
Renée Zellweger, who reprises her role as Bridget for the fourth time, has often spoken about her deep connection to the character. In an interview wahead of the film’s release, she described playing Bridget as “the best job in the world.” She continued,
“I love her. I love her humour. I love her vulnerability. I love her imperfection. I love the opportunity to play out her miscalculating a plan and it maybe surprising her in its execution. I love all of it.”
Zellweger stars alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall in this latest installment, adding fresh energy to Bridget’s ever-evolving story.
Zellweger’s portrayal of Bridget in the first film, Bridget Jones’s Diary, earned her an Academy Award nomination, further solidifying the character’s cultural significance. Over the years, the term “Bridget Jones” has come to represent the archetype of a 30-something single woman navigating love, career, and personal insecurities. However, not everyone has embraced Bridget’s story with equal enthusiasm.
While many find her refreshingly relatable, others argue that her obsession with appearance and romance contradicts modern feminist ideals. Despite these criticisms, Bridget’s appeal endures, largely because she embodies the universal struggle between societal expectations and personal reality.
Helen Fielding herself has acknowledged this aspect of Bridget’s character, stating that the heart of her appeal lies in “the gap between how you feel you are supposed to be and how you really are inside.” This theme has resonated with audiences for decades, making Bridget one of the most beloved figures in contemporary romantic comedy. As Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy continues to dominate the box office, it’s clear that her journey—flawed, funny, and heartfelt—still speaks to audiences in a profound way.
For those eager to see what Bridget is up to next, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is currently playing in cinemas.
