tentpole
noun
tent·pole
ˈtent-ˌpōl 
: a big-budget movie whose earnings are expected to compensate the studio for its less profitable movies
Examples of tentpole in a Sentence
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But shouldering a wobbly, expensive summer tentpole is a risk — just ask Sam Worthington or Taylor Kitsch.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Continue reading … HOLLYWOOD SHAKEUP — 'Backrooms' rakes in $81M as Gen Z filmmakers top iconic Disney tentpole.
—FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The previous Superman film was Gunn’s first big tentpole for the new DC Studios led by himself and Peter Safran; that pic grossed over $616M around the world.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The audience these films are reaching is not the audience the studios have been chasing with their nine-figure tentpoles.
—Tyler Chou, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tentpole
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Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Continue reading … HOLLYWOOD SHAKEUP — 'Backrooms' rakes in $81M as Gen Z filmmakers top iconic Disney tentpole.
—FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The previous Superman film was Gunn’s first big tentpole for the new DC Studios led by himself and Peter Safran; that pic grossed over $616M around the world.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The audience these films are reaching is not the audience the studios have been chasing with their nine-figure tentpoles.
—Tyler Chou, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tentpole
Cite this Entry
“Tentpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentpole. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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