Few film characters have stumbled, bumbled, and charmed their way into pop culture quite like Bridget Jones. Over nearly 25 years, the franchise has grown from a single novel into a four-film series — with the latest, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, released in February 2025.

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Number of films in franchise: 4 (as of 2025) ·
First film release year: 2001 ·
Most recent film release year: 2025 ·
Lead actress: Renée Zellweger ·
Based on books by: Helen Fielding

Quick snapshot

1Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
  • First film in the series, directed by Sharon Maguire (Wikipedia)
  • Introduces Bridget, Mark Darcy, and Daniel Cleaver (Rotten Tomatoes)
2The Edge of Reason (2004)
  • Second film, based on the book sequel (Wikipedia)
  • Bridget’s relationship with Mark faces challenges; Hugh Grant returns (Rotten Tomatoes)
3Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016)
  • Paternity storyline with a reveal that Mark Darcy is the father (Wikipedia)
  • Introduces Jack Qwant, played by Patrick Dempsey (Rotten Tomatoes)
4Mad About the Boy (2025)
  • Fourth film; Bridget is now a widow and single mother (NBC Insider)
  • New love interests and a return to the franchise’s humorous tone (Radio Times)
Key facts about the Bridget Jones franchise at a glance
Category Details
Author of original books Helen Fielding
Total films released 4
Lead actress Renée Zellweger
First film release year 2001
Most recent film release year 2025
Character played by Colin Firth Mark Darcy
Character played by Hugh Grant Daniel Cleaver

The four films share a through-line: a deeply relatable heroine who tracks calories, smokes too much, and somehow keeps landing on her feet. But the latest chapter changes the formula significantly. Let’s break down each of the big questions fans are asking.

How many Bridget Jones films are there?

As of 2025, there are four Bridget Jones films: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016), and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025). The series has spanned nearly a quarter-century, with each film arriving at a different stage of Bridget’s life — and of the cultural moment around it.

List of Bridget Jones films in chronological order

  • Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) — Directed by Sharon Maguire; introduces Renée Zellweger as Bridget, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver (Rotten Tomatoes).
  • Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) — Bridget’s relationship with Mark hits rough patches; Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver returns to complicate things (Rotten Tomatoes).
  • Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) — A 12-year gap, then a pregnancy plot with two possible fathers; Mark Darcy is ultimately revealed as the dad (Wikipedia).
  • Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) — Set four years after Mark’s death; Bridget is a single mother navigating dating and loss (NBC Insider).

Release years and box office highlights

The first film grossed over $280 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, establishing the franchise as