box office hit

USAGE SUMMARY

"box office hit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a movie or other entertainment product that becomes very successful in terms of its revenue. For example, "The film was a massive box office hit, earning over $500 million in its first three weeks of release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"The box office hit," it reads.

The New Yorker

And Mr. Lumet had a box office hit.

The New York Times

It is currently the eleventh biggest box office hit of 2013 worldwide.

Independent

The movie has been the French box office hit of the year.

The Guardian

In 1991, "Thelma and Louise" became a cultural event and a box office hit.

The New York Times

The movie became a box office hit, after initial problems with the censors.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The film was a major box-office hit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The box-office hit was Fleischer's final film for RKO.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The highly stylized film was an unexpected box-office hit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Melnick also produced the box-office hit "Roxanne" (1987).

The New York Times

Paramount made it into the movie "She Done Him Wrong," a huge box-office hit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "box office hit" to clearly and concisely communicate that a film achieved significant financial success. This term is widely understood and immediately conveys the movie's commercial performance.

Common error

Avoid using "box office hit" to describe a film that only received positive reviews but did not perform well financially. The phrase specifically refers to commercial success, not critical reception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "box office hit" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It describes a movie that has achieved significant commercial success, as evidenced by numerous examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "box office hit" is a common phrase used to describe a film that has achieved considerable financial success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to inform readers or listeners about a film's commercial performance, rather than its critical reception. While alternatives like "blockbuster movie" or "commercial success" exist, "box office hit" remains a direct and widely understood term. Avoid using it solely based on a film's critical acclaim; it's important to remember its specific connection to financial performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit movie

A shorter, more casual way of saying "box office hit".

blockbuster movie

Focuses on the large scale success and popularity of the film.

smash hit film

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming success of the movie.

box office sensation

Highlights the excitement and buzz surrounding a film's success.

commercial success

Highlights the financial aspect of the film's achievement.

box office success story

Describes the film's journey to becoming a box office phenomenon.

record breaking film

Emphasizes the film's achievement in surpassing previous box office records.

highly successful movie

A general term indicating a film's achievement without specifying the type of success.

top grossing film

Refers specifically to the film's high revenue earnings.

popular film

Indicates widespread audience appeal, not necessarily financial success.

FAQs

How can I use "box office hit" in a sentence?

You can use "box office hit" to describe a film that has earned a significant amount of money. For example, "The movie became a "box office hit" shortly after its release".

What's another way to say "box office hit"?

Alternatives to "box office hit" include "blockbuster movie", "smash hit film", or "commercial success", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to call a critically acclaimed film a "box office hit"?

Not unless the film also achieved significant financial success. "Box office hit" refers specifically to a film's commercial performance, not its critical reception. A film can be critically acclaimed without being a "box office hit", and vice versa.

What is the difference between a "box office hit" and a "cult classic"?

A "box office hit" gains widespread popularity and financial success upon its initial release. A "cult classic", on the other hand, may not have been initially successful but gains a dedicated following over time. Some films can be both, but the terms describe different trajectories of success.