blockbuster

American  

[blok-buhs-ter] / ˈblɒkˌbʌs tər /

noun

1. an aerial bomb containing high explosives and weighing from four to eight tons, used as a large-scale demolition bomb.

2. a motion picture, novel, etc., especially one lavishly produced, that has or is expected to have wide popular appeal or financial success.

3. something or someone that is forcefully or overwhelmingly impressive, effective, or influential.

   The campaign was a blockbuster.

4. a real-estate speculator who practices blockbusting.

---

blockbuster British  

/ ˈblɒkˌbʌstə /

noun

1. a large bomb used to demolish extensive areas or strengthened targets

2. a very successful, effective, or forceful person, thing, etc

3. a lavish film, show, novel, etc, that proves to be an outstanding popular success

---

Etymology

Origin of blockbuster

First recorded in 1940–45; block + buster

Explanation

A blockbuster is a Hollywood movie that's made with a large budget and big stars. A true blockbuster is extremely popular and brings in a lot of money. Typically, a blockbuster is a fabulous summer movie that audiences line up to see the first weekend it's released. You can also call a successful play or a new, popular video game a blockbuster. Less, often, a huge bomb is a blockbuster — this is the word's original, 1940s meaning, from the fact that such a bomb could destroy an entire city block. The entertainment meaning, from the 1950s, began as theater slang.

Example Sentences

Putellas, who has just lifted the Champions League trophy, is also the blockbuster name billionaire owner Michele Kang craves.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Lionsgate’s blockbuster Michael Jackson documentary, “Michael,” snared $20 million, bringing its total to $314 million.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

“We believe the platform would be extraordinarily difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to replicate, particularly as blockbuster filmmaking becomes increasingly optimized around premium formats and immersive theatrical experiences,” he added.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

She said the idea came from a comment Cooke made in an interview about how the cast was handling the blockbuster relationship news.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

And I can always find something to mock in a blockbuster.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed