box-office draw
/ˈbɑːksˌɑː.fɪs drɔː/
Meaning
A 'box-office draw' refers to an actor, director, or franchise that is guaranteed to attract a large audience and generate significant ticket sales. This term is primarily used in the film and theater industries. It highlights a person's commercial power and marketability, indicating that their name alone is enough to make a project financially successful.
Examples
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Even in his fifties, Tom Cruise remains one of Hollywood's biggest box-office draws.
Even in his fifties, Tom Cruise remains one of Hollywood's biggest box-office draws.
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The studio cast her because they needed a proven box-office draw to secure the movie's budget.
The studio cast her because they needed a proven box-office draw to secure the movie's budget.
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While he is a critically acclaimed actor, he has never really been a box-office draw.
While he is a critically acclaimed actor, he has never really been a box-office draw.
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The sequel's success proved that the franchise itself is the main box-office draw, not the actors.
The sequel's success proved that the franchise itself is the main box-office draw, not the actors.
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Having a major box-office draw in the lead role virtually guarantees a strong opening weekend.
Having a major box-office draw in the lead role virtually guarantees a strong opening weekend.
Common Mistakes
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✗ She is a big box-office attraction.
✓ She is a big box-office draw.
Although 'attraction' makes sense literally, 'box-office draw' is the standard industry idiom.
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✗ The movie had a great box-office draw.
✓ The movie was a great box-office draw.
A person or the movie itself *is* a 'box-office draw' (noun), rather than something a movie *has*.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Studios are willing to pay millions to actors who are proven ___s.
💡 People who guarantee high ticket sales.
Show answer
box-office draw
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Without a major ___ in the lead role, the independent film struggled to find an audience.
💡 A highly marketable star.
Show answer
box-office draw