Bridget Jones 4 smashes UK Box office record for romantic comedies
The return of Bridget Jones has taken the UK and Ireland by storm, setting a new box office record for the best opening weekend of any romantic comedy.
According to universal, Bridget Jones: mad about the boy raked in an impressive £11.8 million in its first four days following its release on Thursday. This surpasses the previous record held by Bridget Jones: The edge of reason, which earned £10 million in 2004. While that figure would be worth more today after adjusting for inflation, the latest instalment has nonetheless reaffirmed the enduring popularity of the much-loved, hapless diarist played by Renée Zellweger.
Outperforming the competition
The film proved to be a bigger draw than captain america: Brave new world in the UK over the weekend. While the Marvel blockbuster dominated cinemas in north america, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was not released theatrically in the US. Instead, it was made available directly on the streaming service peacock.
Film critic Robbie Collin of The Telegraph commented on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row that this decision was due to Americans’ relative indifference towards Bridget Jones, calling her “an extremely local concern.” However, the film did manage to top the box office in several other countries, including Poland, the Netherlands, and Norway, according to universal.
Although its opening weekend was the biggest in the UK and Ireland so far this year, Mad About the Boy still fell short of the debut figures for upcoming blockbusters like Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Moana 2.
The story continues
Spoilers ahead
In this latest chapter, Bridget is now a widowed single mother, juggling the demands of parenthood, work, and the perils of modern dating. The story follows her as she steps back into the dating world, torn between a younger love interest (played by Leo Woodall) and her son’s science teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
The film also sees the return of familiar faces, including Hugh Grant, reprising his role as the charming yet unreliable Daniel Cleaver, and Emma Thompson.
A mixed critical response
Despite the strong box office numbers, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy has received a mixed reception from critics.
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The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw was less than impressed, awarding the film just two stars. While he praised Hugh Grant’s performance for delivering “giant laughs,” he described the film as a “weepie sequel” that felt “strangely dazed.” He further criticised the performances of the cast, suggesting that apart from Grant and Thompson, “all of the actors are phoning (or rather voice-noting) it in.”
Conversely, The Independent offered a far more favourable review, awarding the film four stars. Reviewer clarisse Loughrey found it “vulnerable, honest and very funny,” and applauded director Michael Morris for handling Bridget’s turbulent love life with “far more care and subtlety than The Edge of Reason ever did.”
She added: “When it comes to Mad About the Boy, it’s less that Bridget Jones has finally matured, and more that she’s shown us how human she really is.”
A winning formula
The Bridget Jones franchise has long been a beloved part of British cinema, and despite the mixed critical reception, its box office success confirms that audiences still have a deep affection for its flawed yet endearing protagonist. With the film breaking records and generating lively debate, it’s clear that Bridget Jones remains as relevant and relatable as ever.
