20 Essential Movie Performances That Will Define 2016

6. Renee Zellweger - Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones' Baby)

Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch
Working Title Films

Release Date: September 16

The Role: Now 40-something Bridget Jones, who has broken up with her lover Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and hooked up with an American dreamboat by the name of Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey). Unfortunately, Bridget falls pregnant and isn't at all sure which one of them is the father.

Why It'll Define 2016: Because whether you think the new Bridget Jones will be a sweetly nostalgic romp or a desperate cringe-fest, Zellweger's performance will make headlines, and she's unlikely to disappoint even if the script isn't necessarily up to snuff.

For an entire generation of women who have grown up with Bridget, there will be enormous emotional pathos from seeing this character and performance once again, and so with the right level of wit, it could be like Ms. Jones never left.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.