Phrase guide

movie jail

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A state of derailment of a career or limited opportunities to which a film industry professional is seemingly relegated, usually as a result of making an unsuccessful film.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, uncountable

Topics: broadcasting, film, media, television

Examples

  • 2016, June 10, "10 Actors Who Got Sent to Movie Jail", Screen Rant.
  • 2019, April 15, Gabe Worgaftik, AV Club. "Movie jail is real. He's been there. He was excommunicated at Fox for a decade after turning down Speed 2 to go play Hamlet onstage in fucking Winnipeg."

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.