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

China memory-chip maker ChangXin Technology Group surged more than five times from its initial public offering price in a blockbuster debut in Shanghai.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

Hasbro has boosted growth by licensing blockbuster franchises like Marvel and Lord of the Rings to create new Magic card sets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, "The Odyssey," retained the top spot at the North American box office in its second week, taking in an additional $87 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

One more knockdown, one astonishing comeback and a second-round knockout later, the blockbuster bout was revived.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

It was almost like watching the plan beamed straight from his brain onto the screen of a blockbuster movie.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

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

Abrams, who has helmed blockbusters in the “Mission: Impossible” and “Star Wars” franchises among many other hits, and fairly or not she has been accused of benefiting from nepotism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The states identified wide-release films, big-budget blockbusters and the concentration of pay-TV channels as the three markets to test in the litigation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Big-budget blockbusters in particular have suffered, with many films underperforming at the box office.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Ever since the 1930s, Pinewood had been home to movies ranging from early Alfred Hitchcock mysteries to massive Star Wars blockbusters.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti