blockbuster

American  

[blok-buhs-ter] / ˈblɒkˌbʌs tər /

noun

• blockbusters
  plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• blockbusters
  plural

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

See Examples For:

blockbuster blockbusters

They called him to ask if the duo could use it for their new blockbuster, Practical Magic 2, a sequel to the 1998 romantic fantasy tale.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

This year, for the first time, the Foley artist who worked on blockbuster movies such as “Frozen,” “Interstellar” and “The Dark Knight” did not have enough hours to qualify for her union healthcare.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Covid put Moderna on the map, but sustainable growth is more likely to come from developing a blockbuster cancer drug.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

Elon Musk's space company went public in June at a value of $1.77 trillion and raised $85.7 billion in its blockbuster initial public offering, the largest in history.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

“Yes, it’s a blockbuster, coming to a theater near you, called Deal with Your Own Crap.”

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

A swath of other summer blockbusters would be released alongside them; A “Spider-Man” here, a “Mission: Impossible” there.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

But is it really worth seeing these blockbusters in Imax?

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

Ten years and multiple other blockbusters later, there is an ever-growing speculation that their futures now lie away from the MCU.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

In a summer of Gen Z-driven blockbusters and ancient Greek juggernauts, the 38th entry in the Marvel universe can’t help smelling like your uncle’s sweaty Comic-Con ball cap.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

His romantic novels such as The Last of the Mohicans were literary blockbusters.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock