box-office bomb
Theatrical financial failure
A box-office bomb is a film that fails commercially, earning far less than its production and marketing costs.
The term emphasizes financial disaster rather than artistic merit—critically acclaimed films can still bomb if audiences don't show up: The movie was a box-office bomb despite winning three awards.
Also called simply a bomb or a flop.
Humiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
- misfireFailure to discharge
clunker · stinker · washout · bust · underperformer · lemon · nonstarter · letdown
Complete commercial failure
- turkeyWattled North American fowl
- dudFailed device or effort
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- premiereFirst public performance
screening · studio · producer · distributor · moviegoer · opening weekend · ticket sales · multiplex
Things subtracted from standing
- write-offRecorded value reduction
- red inkSymbol for financial loss
- deficitAmount still owed
- shortfallFailure to reach quota
underperformance · recoupment · production cost · break-even · tanked · cratered · hemorrhaged · flopped
fiasco
Humiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
misfire · clunker · stinker · washout · bust · underperformer · lemon · nonstarter · letdown · anticlimax
flop
Complete commercial failure
- turkeyWattled North American fowl
- dudFailed device or effort
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
premiere · screening · studio · producer · distributor · moviegoer · opening weekend · ticket sales · multiplex · feature film
losses
Things subtracted from standing
shortfall · underperformance · recoupment · production cost · break-even · tanked · cratered · hemorrhaged · flopped · nosedived
panned
Severely criticized publicly
lambasted · eviscerated · derided · mocked · ridiculed · skewered · slammed · torpedoed · Razzie · word-of-mouth
box-office bombblockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
smash hit · runaway hit · money-spinner · commercial success · moneymaker
box-office bombcrowd favorite
Widely adored competitor or act
phenomenon · cultural phenomenon · instant classic · Avatar · Titanic
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