Cinema bookings soar: Rom-coms steal the present as viewers go mad about Bridget Jones

Cinema bookings soared last month as blockbusters including Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy pulled in viewers.

Spending was 9 per cent higher in February than the same period last year, according to data from financial group Barclaycard.

This peaked on February 15, just after the release of the fourth Bridget Jones film, starring Renee Zellweger and Leo Woodall. 

It broke the record for best box office opening for a romantic comedy in the UK and Ireland, making £11.8million in its first four days. Despite a gloomy economic outlook after the Budget, Britons still splurge on entertainment.

Cinema spending has grown 25.9 per cent over the past four months compared to a year earlier. This was driven by popular releases including Gladiator II and Wicked.

Rich Robinson, head of hospitality and leisure at Barclays, said: ‘Competition for consumer leisure time has never been fiercer.’

Hit: Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy starring Renee Zellweger and Leo Woodall (pictured) broke the record for best box office opening for a romantic comedy in the UK and Ireland