Bridget Jones's Diary

Bridget Jones's Diary
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sharon Maguire
Screenplay by	Richard Curtis Andrew Davies Helen Fielding
Based on	Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Produced by	Tim Bevan Eric Fellner Jonathan Cavendish
Starring	Renée Zellweger Colin Firth Hugh Grant Jim Broadbent Gemma Jones
Cinematography	Stuart Dryburgh
Edited by	Martin Walsh
Music by	Patrick Doyle
Production companies	Universal Pictures Little Bird StudioCanal Working Title Films
Distributed by	Universal Pictures (International; through United International Pictures) Miramax Films (United States) Mars Distribution (France)
Release dates	13 April 2001 (2001-04-13) (United Kingdom and United States) 10 October 2001 (2001-10-10) (France)
Running time	96 minutes[1]
Countries	United Kingdom[2] United States[2] France[2]
Language	English
Budget	$25 million
Box office	$282 million

Bridget Jones's Diary is a 2001 romantic comedy film directed by Sharon Maguire and written by Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies, and Helen Fielding. A co-production of the United Kingdom, United States and France, it is based on Fielding's 1996 novel of the same name, which is a reinterpretation of Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. The adaptation stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, a 32-year-old British single woman, who writes a diary which focuses on the things she wishes to happen in her life. However, her life changes when two men vie for her affection, portrayed by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones appear in supporting roles. Production began in August 2000 and ended in November 2000, and took place largely on location in London and the home counties.

Bridget Jones's Diary premiered on 4 April 2001 in the United Kingdom and was released to theatres on 13 April 2001 simultaneously in the United Kingdom and in the United States. It grossed over $280 million worldwide and received positive reviews, with critics highlighting Zellweger's titular performance, which garnered her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Over the years, it has been hailed as part of the English pop culture, with Bridget Jones being cited as a British cultural icon.

The success of the film spawned a Bridget Jones franchise with two equally successful sequels being released, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016).