The story behind the term ‘blockbuster’

‘That movie is a blockbuster!’ Haven’t we all heard or read the word ‘blockbuster’ associated with action-packed or superhero movies? Did you ever wonder how a word, originally linked to explosions, is casually being thrown when it comes to extravagant movies? Let’s dive deep into the world of cinema and its linguistics!

The word blockbuster wasn’t used to describe the movies like it is done today. It was originally used to describe the immensely powerful bombs used in World War II. These bombs were used to destroy the entire city blocks and that’s how it came to be known as Blockbuster. But how did the word enter the world of movies? In the year 1940, the world just started to recover from the aftermath of the war and people were flocking to theatres and movies became an essential part of their lives. It was during this time that the meaning of the word changed and no longer referred to destruction. The term was used to describe those movies that drew massive crowds, made a significant impact on audiences, a huge number of ticket sales and were known worldwide.

Blockbuster movies significantly evolved in the 1970s when they drew larger crowds and made million bucks. It was during this year that the word was officially only used for movies with the power to explode the box office with tons of money. According to cinema-buffs, critics and film fraternity, Jaws directed by Steven Speilberg is one of the first true blockbuster movies, in terms of box office success and impact on people globally. This movie started a new era for Hollywood where filmmakers targeted to make movies to appeal to mass audiences, create massive buzz and rake in profits. Jaws became a worldwide sensation and it wasn’t just about its plot but also the strategic publicity of the movie and how it created immense anticipation to attract a large audience. The movie set a standard which was followed by several others such as Star Wars and Jurassic Park.

In today’s time, blockbuster is a label for movies dominating box offices across the world. Also, blockbusters are not just movies — they are massive franchises with worlds of their own. One of the most perfect examples of this is Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) which is a pinnacle of blockbuster — star-studded casting, immensely extraordinary marketing campaigns, brilliant special effects, global appeal, and collision of different worlds — making it unavoidable for people worldwide. Today, movies are being made with excellent special effects, cinematography and music that one feels compelled to experience in theatres. Blockbuster movies are more than just entertainment, it is a cultural phenomenon! So next time you hear someone say ‘It’s a blockbuster!’, don’t forget to share its history from being an explosive to a big pack of entertainment.