space opera
noun
: a futuristic melodramatic fantasy involving space travelers and extraterrestrial beings
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The most notable items to bid for are entertainment memorabilia representative of the horror and sci-fi genres including original one-sheets for 1956 space opera Forbidden Planet and 1942 horror Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman. 
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2022 Fans can really grasp the space opera through the eyes of the beloved protagonist. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2022 The novel has a space opera vibe, as a foul-mouthed captain helms a spaceship that bumps from adventure to adventure. Washington Post, 23 July 2022 Based on the electronic giant’s 65-inch C2 OLED evo model, the exclusive set has a design, onscreen menu and packaging directly inspired by George Lucas’s beloved space opera. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 May 2022 The critics were harsh — and legions of fans reared on the original space opera were especially despondent. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 20 May 2022 He was widely credited with helping to get the space opera final studio approval after George Lucas' early pitches stalled. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 May 2022 One's natural inclination might be to pair Denis Villeneuve's space opera with another sci-fi epic, but Dune arguably shares more with Lawrence of Arabia in its filmmaking than any Star Wars or Star Trek entry. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2022 Predating and inspiring Star Wars (that other space opera), Dune's depiction of outerwordly hegemony and planetary colonization feels more real than any work of cinematic realism. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 9 Mar. 2022 See More
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2022 Fans can really grasp the space opera through the eyes of the beloved protagonist. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2022 The novel has a space opera vibe, as a foul-mouthed captain helms a spaceship that bumps from adventure to adventure. Washington Post, 23 July 2022 Based on the electronic giant’s 65-inch C2 OLED evo model, the exclusive set has a design, onscreen menu and packaging directly inspired by George Lucas’s beloved space opera. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 May 2022 The critics were harsh — and legions of fans reared on the original space opera were especially despondent. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 20 May 2022 He was widely credited with helping to get the space opera final studio approval after George Lucas' early pitches stalled. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 May 2022 One's natural inclination might be to pair Denis Villeneuve's space opera with another sci-fi epic, but Dune arguably shares more with Lawrence of Arabia in its filmmaking than any Star Wars or Star Trek entry. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2022 Predating and inspiring Star Wars (that other space opera), Dune's depiction of outerwordly hegemony and planetary colonization feels more real than any work of cinematic realism. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 9 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1941, in the meaning defined above