In partnership with Peacock.
If you’ve ever cried to Céline Dion in a matching pajama set while chugging a bottle of wine, or set a New Year’s resolution you knew you weren’t actually going to keep, chances are you’re a huge fan of the Bridget Jones franchise. From awkward fistfights to romantic snow kisses, cringe-worthy proposals, and surprise babies, we’ve watched Bridget stumble through life — and yet, somehow, she’s the hot mess we all secretly wish we could be.
Lucky for us diehard fans, there’s one final Bridget movie coming to Peacock. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is streaming now, and it’s the perfect excuse to gather your girls for Galentine’s Day. (Wine, matching PJs, and emotional support required). This time around, Bridget is a single mom trying to figure out online dating while raising two kids and somehow holding down a career. The forever iconic Renée Zellweger is back, alongside two new love interests played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall. And if you’re looking for a nostalgia factor, Hugh Grant is back as Daniel Cleaver. (We never can shake our bad boy crushes either, Bridge…)
To gear up for the final chapter of her saga, we’re breaking down what makes Bridget the ultimate single woman icon. Whether it’s dealing with questionable men, juggling a career and motherhood, or learning to finally prioritize herself, Bridget’s the ultimate reminder that personal growth does not have to look perfect.
She Has Impeccable Taste
I mean…c’mon. If there’s one thing Bridget does flawlessly, it’s juggling situationships with two insanely attractive men. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Patrick Dempsey, and now, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodhall. As a single woman, Bridget keeps her options elite. Standards matter, ladies! If you’re navigating the world of situationships, take a lesson from Bridget, and make sure your roster is always top-tier.
She Doesn’t Settle
Don’t get me wrong, Bridget has made some questionable decisions regarding her love life. Like getting involved with her boss or failing to tell the father(s) of her child that the timing of the conception might be a bit…complicated. But we listen, and we don’t judge, right? Fortunately, there’s one major thing Bridget does get right: she doesn’t settle. Like when Daniel told Bridget, “If I can’t make it with you, I can’t make it with anyone,” she shot back, “That’s not a good enough offer for me.” Bridget gives us all a valuable reminder: never waste your time on someone who isn’t sure about you. (No matter how floppy their hair, how sparkly their eyes, or how irresistible their accent.) It’s better to be single than to be with someone who doesn’t match your energy.
She’s Got Ride-or-Die Friends
Sticking it out at a dinner party where the only options are an omelette, orange marmalade dip, and *checks notes* “blue soup”? That’s friendship goals right there. But Bridget’s crew takes friendship to the next level. In Bridget Jones’s Diary, they planned a getaway to Paris to help her get over Mark Darcy, which Bridget ditched the second Mark came knocking at her door. And did they judge her? Not even a little. They just wanted her to be happy, no questions asked. Romantic love isn’t everything. The real MVPs are your friends who show up to laugh with you over drinks, gossip about your crushes, and drag you out of your funk when life’s not going your way.
She’s A Work In Progress
We’ve been along the ride with Bridget since 2001 (yep, over 20 years ago – sorry for the reminder). Sure, she’s exhibited some mildly erratic behavior (ahem that whole “Mr. Fitzpervert” thing), but one thing’s for sure: she’s always evolving. Whether it’s plotting a total rebrand after a messy breakup, trying (and failing) to quit smoking and drinking, or taking a stab at adulting with a job, a kid, and a chaotic love life, Bridget is always in the process of leveling up. She’s gone from obsessing over Mr. Darcy to de-prioritizing men altogether, from navigating career changes to managing the highs and lows of motherhood. Through it all, we’re learning right alongside her. If Bridget can juggle all this with a glass of wine in hand, maybe we can handle a little growth ourselves too.
