Bridget Jones is back in the fourth film of her titular franchise with Mad About the Boy, so there will be plenty of viewers who are keen to take a look back before watching this latest chapter in her life.
The new film finds the loveable, chaotic diary writer (Renee Zellweger) a widow, raising her two young children while navigating her grief over her husband Mark Darcy’s (Colin Firth) death four years earlier. She’s content with being there for her children but is convinced by her friends to both return to work and try to find love again. This leads to her meeting the much younger Roxster (Leo Woodall) and also her children’s science teacher Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
But for those who are keen to return to the first three movies —Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason, and Bridget Jones’s Baby— here is what you need to know.
Where to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bridget Jones’s Diary first came out in 2001 and introduced the world to Zellweger’s version of the character Helen Fielding had created first in a newspaper column and later in a hugely popular book. It follows the character as she comes to believe that she might have left it too late to find love at 32, but soon finds two men —Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant)— vying for her affection.
The original movie is widely seen as the best of the franchise, and can currently be watched on Sky Cinema and NOW. It is also available to rent on digital platforms, while those with an interest in physical media can always find the DVD or Blu-Ray at their local HMV.
Where to watch Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Edge of Reason finds Bridget Jones in a happy relationship with Mark Darcy only to have her confidence shattered when he meets his stunning assistant. After a few mishaps the pair break up and Bridget soon comes face-to-face with her old paramour Daniel, who is just as much a lothario as he ever was, leading once again to some hilarious interactions with Darcy for her love.
Like Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Edge of Reason is available to stream on Sky Cinema or its sister platform NOW, with the title also available to rent or buy from various digital platforms.
Where to watch Bridget Jones’s Baby
Bridget returned in 2016 with the third film in the franchise Bridget Jones’s Baby, with Firth returning as Darcy, now Bridget’s ex, and new love interest Jack Qwant (played by Patrick Dempsey). The film follows the character as she reconnects with her Darcy who is in the midst of a divorce and Jack, only to become pregnant and not know which of them is the father.
For those hoping to complete the franchise’s back catalogue before —or even after— watching Mad About the Boy, the way to see Bridget Jones’s Baby is also on Sky Cinema and NOW. Like the others, Bridget Jones’s Baby can also be rented on digital platforms.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is out in cinemas now.
