Is Die Hard a Christmas film? The nation speaks

19 December 2024, 07:00

The seasonal debate over the Bruce Willis classic continues, with the nation's film buffs being asked for their opinion. Which side are you on?

By Radio X

@RadioX

One of the biggest arguments at Christmas isn’t over what to watch on TV or whether sprouts are a good thing or not. Oh no - it’s more important than that.

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

It’s a tough one. Despite being a taught action thriller featuring a sardonic hero and one of cinema’s greatest villains, the story is definitely set in late December. Detective John McClane (played by a be-vested Bruce Willis) heads to LA on Christmas Eve to meet with his estranged wife and terrorist-led mayhem ensues, courtesy of Alan Rickman as arch baddie Hans Gruber.

Willis is even listening to Christmas In Hollis by Run DMC at the beginning, but any festive fun is quickly sidelined by the action and the running about. So, is it officially a Christmas movie?

Read more: 10 unusual "Christmas" movies

Die Hard original trailer (1988)

According to a new YouGov poll conducted in December 2023, 39% of people who had seen Die Hard say it is NOT a Christmas movie, while 38% of people insisted it is! The remaining people polled didn't want to be drawn into the argument.

Is Die Hard A Christmas Movie?

Yes: 38%

No: 39%

Don't Know: 23%

20th Century Fox seem to think Die Hard IS a Christmas movie, and they've re-edited the trailer into "The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told"...!

Die Hard | The Greatest Christmas Story | 20th Century FOX

Some point out that Die Hard was released in July in the US (February in the UK), but the Prince Charles Cinema in London regularly add the movie to their annual selection of Christmas films.

Asked on Twitter whether Die Hard actually should be included in your festive viewing marathon, Steven E. deSouza, who actually co-wrote the thing replied: “Yes, because the studio rejected the Purim draft #DieHardIsAChristmasMovie.”

(Purim, of course, is the Jewish holiday that takes place in around February/March.)

However, during his Comedy Central roast in July 2018, Willis himself announced: “Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s a god damn Bruce Willis movie!”

Nothing Can Keep Bruce Willis Down - Roast of Bruce Willis - Uncensored

Robert Davi, who played FBI Special Agent Johnson in the film had this to say at Christmas 2024: "Since it is the most wonderful time of the year again I thought I'd revisit this"... and posted an image of himself holding up a sign that says "Die Hard Is A Christmas Movie".

James King, Sky's film critic said of this particular debate: “Die Hard is a Christmas movie now but it didn’t start out as one. Back in 1988 when it was released in the summer, I don’t think anyone thought it was a festive film. Sure it had a seasonal setting but it was hardly warm and cuddly.”

He added, “But over time the fans have embraced its Christmas background and reinterpreted it as a yuletide classic. That’s what’s great about brilliant films: they don’t just have to be one thing”.