Is there a single word for something which may not literally be the first of something but for which its predecessors fail to merit recognition? For example, Bwana Devil wasn’t the first Bwana Devil movie ever released in 3-D, but it was the first that a large, general audience would’ve had the opportunity to see. To call it the “first 3-D movie” would be inaccurate, and “The first 3-D movie to receive a wide release” is long. Obviously, based on the title of this thread, “first notable 3-D movie” crossed my mind, but to my mind, that makes it sound like it’s notable for something other than being first. I’m looking for a word that coneys a sense of being first for all intents and purposes even though there may have been predecessors.
Not authoritative and without cites for definitions, just hunches, but how about
Prototype
Paragon
Forerunner
Benchmark
Pacesetter
I was thinking of “pioneering”.
Seminal?
“Bwana Devil is the granddaddy of 3D movies.”
Or how about trailblazer?