Kristen Wiig recently looked back on the early days of Bridesmaids and admitted she genuinely assumed the movie wasn’t landing—remembering a post–opening weekend mood that felt like a shrug and a “Well, we tried.” She shared the story while talking with Amy Poehler on Poehler’s Good Hang podcast.
What Wiig Meant by “Well, We Tried”
Wiig said the reaction she felt right after the first weekend made it seem like the film had already run its course. In her telling, the attitude around them suggested the opening frames were the whole verdict—so she and the team essentially braced for disappointment.
That anxiety wasn’t happening in a vacuum. Director Paul Feig has also spoken about feeling pressure ahead of release, describing a climate where the movie’s performance was treated as a referendum on whether studios would back more women-led comedies.
The Numbers Didn’t Match the Panic
On paper, Bridesmaids did not flop. It opened to roughly $26.25 million domestically on a reported $32.5 million budget.
More importantly, it didn’t fade after opening weekend. Wiig described it as a movie that built over time as more people showed up and momentum grew beyond that initial “maybe that’s it” moment. The film ultimately finished far beyond early expectations, with worldwide grosses widely reported in the $300 million-plus range.
Word of Mouth Turned It Into a Modern Comedy Staple
Wiig’s point wasn’t that opening weekend was objectively bad. It was that the perception around them felt muted, and they mistook that for failure. As the theatrical run continued, the narrative changed quickly: Bridesmaids became a frequent reference point for how audience response can snowball after the first weekend.
Awards Recognition Helped Cement the Legacy
The movie’s staying power wasn’t just commercial. At the 84th Academy Awards in 2012, Bridesmaids received two Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Melissa McCarthy and Original Screenplay for Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo.
Why There Still Isn’t a Sequel
Even with its long-term popularity, Wiig has repeatedly suggested a follow-up isn’t something she’s chasing. In more recent interviews, she has indicated there hasn’t been a serious push to make a sequel and that the original story felt complete.
