Nuked the Fridge 

"Nuking the fridge" refers to the moment in a film series when it becomes apparent that a certain installment is not as good as previous installments, due to ridiculous or low quality storylines, events, or characters.

Originating from the film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Harrison Ford's character survives a nuclear detonation by getting into a lead-lined fridge before being blown thousands of feet only to crash back down and emerge safely.

The absurdity in this occurrence is that, although lead is radiation proof, lead melts at 620°F and is not resistant to the millions of degrees, that say, an atomic bomb would put out. This is the prime example of the lower quality and outlandishness disgorged as a continuation of the series, and thus the phrase was coined.

The saying is also a reference to the phrase "jump the shark," referring to an episode of Happy Days where the Fonz jumped a shark on water skis, considered the lowest point of the show. "Jumping the shark" is applied to a television series alternatively to film.

"Star Wars really nuked the fridge when Jar Jar Binks was introduced."

"Indiana Jones 4 nuked the fridge when they nuked the fridge."

Nuked the Fridge by Atalaya May 26, 2008

nuked the fridge 

The movie version of "jumped the shark".

Indiana Jones 4 nuked the fridge went they nuked the fridge.

nuked the fridge by LMG9 May 26, 2008

nuked the fridge 

Nuke the fridge is a phrase used to refer to the moment in a film series that is so incredible that it lessens the excitement of subsequent scenes that rely on more understated action or suspense, and it becomes apparent that a certain installment is not as good as a previous installments, due to ridiculous or low quality storylines, events or characters. Simply, "to nuke the fridge" means to essentially disappoint fans of a series by making a poor quality installment.

This phrase is derived by a scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull when the hero miraculously survives a nuclear blast by getting inside a lead-lined fridge and being blasted miles away.

The original Batman franchise really "nuked the fridge" when they casted Arnald Swartzenager as Mr. Freeze and gave him a billion ice-related puns.

nuked the fridge by Misfit Slacker May 26, 2008

Nuked the Fridge 

Outrageous, disappointing, or low point in a film series or individual film that diminishes the quality of the movie.

"That movie really nuked the fridge when he beat 100 Ninja's with a spoon."

Nuked the Fridge by Bruce Bigelow May 27, 2008

Nuked the Fridge 

Nuking the fridge refers to the moment in a film series when it becomes apparent that a certain installment is not as good as a previous installments, due to ridiculous or low quality storylines, events or characters.

Originating from the film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" where Harrison Ford's character survives a nuclear detonation by getting into a fridge, and is then blown hundreds of feet, only to hit the ground, and then emerges safely.

The absurdity of this event in the film to be the best example of the lower quality of this installment in the series, and thus the phrase was coined.

The phrase is also a reference to the phrase "jump the shark", which has the same meaning, only applied to a television series instead of a film series.

"Star Wars really nuked the fridge when Jar Jar Binks was introduced."

"Indiana Jones 4 nuked the fridge when they nuked the fridge."

Nuked the Fridge by Atalaya May 26, 2008

Nuke the Fridge

A phrase an Urban Dictionary user tried desperately to implement into circulation by using multiple fake accounts to post barely dissimilar "definitions". This tragic act was committed on May 26th 2008, in reference to the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise.

"While I cannot deny that "Nuke the Fridge" is a witty correlation with the phrase "Jump the Shark", the desperation employed by it's fraudulent author reminisces of making up your own nickname. After 12 years I suppose it's not going to catch on."

Nuke the Fridge by Erectory November 30, 2020

nuke the fridge

Nuke the fridge is a colloquialism used to refer to the moment in a film series that is so incredible that it lessens the excitement of subsequent scenes that rely on more understated action or suspense, and it becomes apparent that a certain installment is not as good as a previous installments, due to ridiculous or low quality storylines, events or characters.

The term comes from the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, in which, near the start of the movie, Harrison Ford's character survives a nuclear detonation by climbing into a kitchen fridge, which is then blown hundreds of feet through the sky whilst the town disintegrates. He then emerges from the fridge with no apparent injury. Later in the movie, the audience is expected to fear for his safety in a normal fistfight.

Fans of the Indiana Jones series found the absurdity of this event in the film to be the best example of the lower quality of this installment in the series, and thus coined the phrase, "nuke the fridge".

The phrase is also a reference to the phrase "jump the shark", which has the same meaning, only applied to a television series instead of a film series.

This phrase is not in common use.

"Star Wars didn't really nuke the fridge until Jar Jar Binks was introduced."

"Peter Parker dancing around the bar in Spider-Man 3? Kinda nukes the fridge!"

"The Godfather: Part III nukes the fridge."

"Gremlins 2 more or less nuked the fridge."

nuke the fridge by theinterviewer3 May 26, 2008