There can be no doubt that an audience still exists for the Bridget Jones franchise, considering how well the latest installment —Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy— has done theatrically. This past week, the movie passed the $100 million mark at the international box office, despite not having received a theatrical release in domestic theaters. In the United States,Bridget Jones 4debuted on the Peacock streaming service instead, where it no doubt drew strong viewership. But this doesn’t mask the fact thatquestions have been raisedabout Universal’s decision to deny it a theatrical exhibition stateside.
This weekend, the film’sinternational box office haul passed the $110 million mark. Of this total, the majority came from the United Kingdom, where Bridget Jones remains a cultural icon. The movie has generated over $50 million in the U.K. so far, despite competition fromCaptain America: Brave New World, which it handily out-performed. It’s a good thing thatPaddington in Peruwas released months ago in the U.K. Based on another iconic piece of local pop culture,Paddington 3is approaching the $200 million mark worldwide, but unlikeBridget Jones 4, the movie was released theatrically in North America.
TheBridget Jones franchise has generated over $800 million globally, having begun over two decades ago. Each film stars two-time Academy Award winnerRenée Zellwegerin the titular role; in fact,Bridget Jones 4is her first film since her second Oscar win in 2018, for her performance in the biopicJudy. Zellweger also earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the first Bridget Jones movie,Bridget Jones’s Diary, which grossed over $330 million globally, including re-release revenue.
‘Bridget Jones 4’ Opened to Franchise-Best Reviews
The second film,Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, generated over $260 million worldwide, despite poor reviews. It’s widely regarded as the worst installment of the romantic comedy series. In 2016,Bridget Jones’s Babyrevitalized the franchise with a $210 million-plus global box office haul. Directed byMichael Morris,the fourth film also happens to be the best-reviewed of the lot. It appears to have settled at a “fresh” 88% approval rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. Produced ona reported budget of $50 million,Bridget Jones 4follows a middle-aged Bridget torn between two potential love interests, played byLeo WoodallandChiwetel Ejiofor. Also featuringColin Firth,Hugh Grant, andEmma Thompson, the movie is available to watch at home domestically, and in theaters overseas. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
Widowed for four years, Bridget Jones raises her children while supported by friends and family. Pressed to rebuild her life, she returns to work and explores dating, meeting a younger man. Balancing romance, work, and motherhood, Bridget navigates pressures from all parts of her social and family life.
