Die Hard is one of the best action movies of the 1980s, but I have mixed feelings about it as a Christmas movie. Almost 40 years later, Die Hard still holds up as an exceptional and influential action classic. While it takes place in a single building, it does the most with its premise, delivering exciting spectacle and thrilling suspense.
The film’s success led to a franchise of five films, which do differ in quality, but still deliver many memorable moments in the franchise. It also created a sub-genre of Die Hard-style films, where a likable hero has to stop a group of criminals in one building. Some examples of these include Cliffhanger, Under Siege, and Air Force One.
What also makes Die Hard unique is its Christmas setting, which has sparked debate over whether the film is a Christmas movie. While I love John McTiernan’s film as an action movie, it doesn’t hold up to other Christmas movies that I prefer to watch during the holiday season.
Die Hard Is A Fantastic Action Movie, But A Subpar Christmas Movie
Bruce Willis as John McClane shouts down from the window in Die Hard.
Let’s get the main question out of the way. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Yes, it is, but that’s where my internal conflict begins. When put up against action films, I would rank Die Hard fairly high. However, I don’t feel the same when putting it in the same category as other Christmas classics.
Die Hard is primarily considered a Christmas movie because it takes place on Christmas Eve. While it has many references related to the holiday, the film isn’t really about the holiday itself. It’s focused on John McClane killing Hans Gruber’s crew and saving the hostages, rather than him trying to get presents for his kids or believing in Santa Claus.
That’s purposeful, as even McTiernan admitted they “hadn’t intended it to be a Christmas movie” in a video shared by the American Film Institute. Since the film was made with other intentions, it doesn’t evoke the holiday spirit that other purposeful Christmas movies do, like It’s a Wonderful Life or The Santa Clause.
Die Hard may be superior to many holiday classics, but it’s not one I watch when getting into the festive mood. For example, my favorite Christmas movie is Elf. It’s not necessarily the best of the genre, but it’s one I grew up with and the one I most frequently return to during the holiday season.
Is Die Hard a better movie than Elf overall? Sure, but I wouldn’t choose the Willis-led action film over the Will Ferrell-led comedy if someone asked me to put on a Christmas movie. In fact, there are several other movies I would choose over Die Hard, including Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
It also wouldn’t be the first Christmas action movie I’d think of. 2022’s Violent Night isn’t as good as Die Hard, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do a better job at putting me in the holiday spirit. Die Hard is a top-tier action film, but it doesn’t have the Christmas spirit to become an annual tradition for me.
Release Date
July 15, 1988
Runtime
132 minutes
Director
John McTiernan