blockbuster

/ˌblɑkˈbʌstər/

/ˈblɒkbəstə/

Other forms: blockbusters

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.

Definitions of blockbuster

1. noun

   an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
   synonyms: megahit, smash hit

   type of:

   bang, hit, smash, smasher, strike

   a conspicuous success
2. noun

   a large bomb used to demolish extensive areas (as a city block)
   type of:

   GP bomb, general-purpose bomb

   a large bomb (500 to 2,000 pounds that is 50% explosive) whose explosion creates a blast and whose metal casing creates some fragmentation effect