Bridget Jones’s Baby opens Friday, and as many humiliating situations as Jones (Renée Zellweger) has been through, there’s still one more guy who adores her in the sequel. The comedy pits uptight, gorgeous English Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) against smooth, gorgeous American Jack (Patrick Dempsey) in the battle for pregnant Bridget’s heart.
This isn’t the first time Jones’ bewitching charms have claimed two men at once. Returning actors Firth and Zellweger are both veterans of the love triangle movie—when the main character has to choose one of the two people who are obsessed with them before the credits roll. The scenario is older than Shakespeare, and usually, it’s the obvious choice vs. the rich guy, but some love triangle movies ring truer—like when they toy with the challenges that many of us face in matters of the heart. (It’s rare to see two rivals carrying a woman at the same time a la Bridget Jones’s Baby.)
To get you ready for Bridget’s third go-around with two dashing suitors, here’s our list of ten of the most memorable movie love triangles.
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Reality Bites (1994)
In this ‘90s favorite, Winona Ryder plays an overgrown adolescent who has to choose between her obnoxious know-it-all friend (Ethan Hawke) and a TV executive with a convertible (Ben Stiller). Ultimately, she makes the romantic choice you’re hoping she will.
Casablanca (1943)
Widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made, this World War II film involves a triangle that centers on the impulses of Rick (Humphrey Bogart), a gambling den owner in North Africa whose desire for Isla (Ingrid Bergman) is endlessly deferred by her involvement with Czech leader Victor (Paul Henreid.) Everyone in this sticky situation is desperate to get to safety—plus, they’re what the kids would call “thirsty” so it’s a must-watch.
Chasing Amy (1997)
A subversion of your garden variety triangle: Guy (Ben Affleck) falls for a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams) who also falls for him, but twist: his best friend (Jason Lee) wants him all to himself. This fresh story served up some intriguing romance thanks to the fascinating fraying bond between two guy friends.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
It’s your classic geometry: sweet guy, (the wedding singer, played by Adam Sandler); sweet girl (soon to be unfortunately named Julia Gulia, Drew Barrymore); and one huge jerk (Matthew Glave). But the movie gets Shakespearean when the wedding singer gives up because he (wrongly) believes she’s pumped to marry a guy who’s already cheating on her. It’s pure joy to watch this depressed wedding entertainer ruin parties with his bitter tunes.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Now that Ted (Ben Stiller) is way less awkward than he was at his disastrous prom night with Mary (Cameron Diaz), he sets out to get her back—but he’s up against the investigator he hired to track her down (Matt Dillon). For all its absurdity, there’s something classically romantic about this story.