Beginning withBridget Jones’s Diary, theBridget Jonesmovies are some of the most beloved rom-coms ever, but which one of them is the best? Adapted from Helen Fielding’s best-selling novels, theBridget Jonesfilms follow Bridget, a woman navigating a complicated love life while juggling societal expectations and a career. The first movie in the series arrived in 2001, with the second and third movies debuting on the big screen in 2004 and 2016, respectively. Nine years afterBridget Jones’s Baby,Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boypremiered to mixed reviewsfrom critics.
While theBridget Jonesmovies make some changes to the novels, the films, for the most part, stay true to the source material.Since the premiere ofBridget Jones’s Diary, the franchise has gone through an evolutionbut still manages to maintain its essence. Despite the lukewarm reception that the movies have garnered, they have nonetheless been a hit with audiences due to the incredible performances by the cast, romantic scenes, and the realistic depiction of dating for women in their 30s.
The second installment in theBridget Jonesfranchise finds Bridget happily in love with Mark Darcy, but their relationship is cut short very early on in the movie. While theBridget Jonesmovies have largely been a hit or miss with audiences and critics,The Edge of Reasonfaced the most negative reception. Consequently, the secondBridget Jonesmovie has a 27% critics score and 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest ratings of the franchise.
10 Biggest Pride & Prejudice Easter Eggs & References In The Bridget Jones Movies
Bridget Jones is so firmly set in the 2000s that without Easter eggs, it is easy to forget it is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Unfortunately,The Edge of Reasonisn’t as satisfying asBridget Jones’s Diaryfor several reasons.The film makes the mistake that most sequels do, of trying to exactly replicate the things that made the previous movie successful.The Edge of Reasonalso lacks charm and heart, which is sometimes just frustrating. Nevertheless,Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonis still a fun film to watch, with Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth’s performances elevating the movie to new heights.
12 years afterBridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonwas released,Bridget returned to the big screen inBridget Jones’s Babyand this time she is pregnant but doesn’t know who the father of her child isbetween the dashing Mr. Darcy and Patrick Dempsey’s Jack Qwant. UnlikeThe Edge of Reason,Bridget Jones’s Babyachieved a better reception from critics and audiences. AlthoughHugh Grant did not reprise his role as Daniel Cleaver inBridget Jones’s Baby,the movie managed to encompass the chaos and humor that the series is known for.
The third installment in the franchise has some ofthe most romantic scenes in theBridget Jonesseries, which serve as a reminder of why the films are such a rom-com staple. Unfortunately, the absence of Daniel inBridget Jones’s Babystill works against the movie, seeing as he is one of the most popular characters in the narrative and life of Bridget. However, Jack Qwant proved to be the perfect replacement as his chemistry with Bridget is one of the highlights of the movie.
Bridget Jones’s Diary, the first adaptation of Fielding’s novel, introduces audiences to Bridget, a 32-year-old woman trying to improve her life by losing weight, quitting smoking, and not falling in love with men who will ultimately break her heart. One of the best films in the series, thanks to the performance of Zellweger, who perfectly nails her character’s eccentricity,Bridget Jones’s Diaryis particularly enjoyable because of how relatable it is.
Bridget Jones’s Diaryis charming and hilarious from start to finish and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The film provides several funny moments, such as Bridget’s unfortunate costume choice at a party where she mistakenly assumes the theme is Tarts and Vicars or her premature entrance down a fireman’s pole that makes her a laughingstock at work. WhileBridget Jones’s Diaryisn’t afraid of making fun of its main character, the movie also sees the singleton finally fall in love with someone worthy of her.
Perhaps the best movie in the franchise is the most recent one,Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and for good reason.The fourth film finds Bridget, now a mother and a widow, trying to figure out her lifefour years after Mark’s death.Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boyincludes both new and returning charactersand is so far the highest-ratedBridget Jonesfilm, with a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 86%, at the time of writing.
Mad About the Boycloses the franchise, and it has everything that made the previous movies in the series popular.The fourthBridget Jonesmovie brings about a sense of nostalgia and more effectively reuses elements that have previously made the story so resonant while enjoyable,such as Bridget’s messy life, wit, and humor, Daniel’s cheekiness, and a heartwarming love story. WhileMad About the Boyhas some sad moments, particularly because Bridget lost the love of her life, it still features several scenes that will make audiences laugh.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy Age Gap Explained - How Much Older Renée Zellweger Is Than Leo Woodall
The rom-com Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy contains an age gap romance between Renée Zellweger and Leo Woodall, but exactly how wide is the gap?
Unlike the past three movies in theBridget Jonesseries,Mad About the Boyalso delves into the complications that come with an older woman dating a younger man. Because of this,Mad About the Boyis both deep and romantic. All in all,Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boyis the perfect ending to a cherished franchise that leaves everything on the table and offers a great conclusion to a story that has touched many audiences.
