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Bridesmaids (2011 film)

Bridesmaids is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Paul Feig and written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bridesmaids is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Paul Feig and written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo. It stars Kristen Wiig as Annie, a woman whose life unravels after she is asked to serve as maid of honor for her best friend Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph. The film features an ensemble cast including Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, and Chris O'Dowd.

Plot

The story follows Annie, whose personal and financial problems intensify when she becomes maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding. Her attempts to manage the wedding events and her friendship create a series of comic mishaps.

Production and release

Bridesmaids was directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Clayton Townsend, and Barry Mendel. It was distributed by Universal Pictures and released in U.S. theatres on May 13, 2011.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, and Chris O'Dowd. The film is noted for its ensemble comedy structure.

Reception

Sources describe the film as an R-rated comedy centered on female friendship and wedding planning. Review and synopsis sources note its mix of broad comedy and emotional conflict, and its strong commercial profile is described by some distributors and reviewers.

Key facts

  • The film is a 2011 American comedy directed by Paul Feig.
  • Kristen Wiig co-wrote the screenplay with Annie Mumolo and stars as Annie.
  • The plot centers on Annie’s difficulties while serving as maid of honor for her best friend Lillian.
  • Maya Rudolph plays Lillian, and the ensemble cast includes Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy.
  • The film was released theatrically in the United States on May 13, 2011.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and is available to Canadian audiences through home-video and streaming platforms, but the supplied sources do not identify a specific Canadian production or setting.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bridesmaids about?
It follows Annie, who becomes maid of honor for her best friend Lillian and struggles through the wedding preparations while her own life falls apart.
Who directed Bridesmaids?
Paul Feig directed the film.
Who wrote Bridesmaids?
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in Bridesmaids?
The film stars Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, with Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, and Chris O'Dowd.
When was Bridesmaids released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on May 13, 2011.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridesmaids_(2011_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, premise, and principal cast.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridesmaids_2011
    Supports: Synopsis, director, writers, genre, distributor, rating, and U.S. theatrical release date.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/bridesmaids
    Supports: Runtime, MPAA rating, director, cast, and release information.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478338/
    Supports: General plot description and cast information.