Yes, Die Hard really is a Christmas Movie

Time to put an end to the age-old debate—is the 1988 Bruce Willis classic Die Hard truly a Christmas movie?

Most people fall into one of two boats when it comes to Die Hard “Hell Yeah, it’s one of my favorite holiday films,” or “Absolutely not! Are you crazy?! Die Hard isn’t a f**king Christmas movie!”

I admit I’ve always been iffy on the idea of calling Die Hard a Christmas film. While it’s always been one of my favorites, the argument continually appeared as more of a long-standing joke than a serious contender for a classic holiday movie.

I’m pleasantly surprised that upon this most recent rewatch—I, like Scrooge — realized the error of my ways and welcome this 80s action staple with opens to arms to join the rest of the holiday movie catalog.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Die Hard follows the story of John McClane (Bruce Willis), outnumbered and outgunned, as he attempts to singlehandedly rescue his wife and other hostages were taken by terrorists during an office Christmas party. Lots of blood, machine gun fire and explosions ensue.

If that description sounds nothing like any Christmas movie ever, you’d be correct. Action is not a genre generally associated with Christmas.

While I’ve probably watched Die hard at least half a dozen times, never before have I flipped it on during the holiday season. Doing a rewatch with Christmas just around the corner completely puts this film in a brand new context, bringing to light what a crucial piece Christmas is to the setting and plot of the film.

What makes a movie a Christmas movie in the first place? There is no one definition or metric to follow, it’s all very subjective, and how much “Christmas” is necessary to qualify changes from movie to movie.

Because these movies can sway wildly in genre and tone and how intrinsic Christmas is to the plot, and there are no set rules, I think you’re free to make up your own. Mine are as follows:

1. Takes place at, or near Christmastime

2. Contains typical holiday imagery

3. Deals with family and relationships

4. Christmas/holiday season is the catalyst for the plot to occur

Die Hard manages to hit every single point.

I believe the last point is the most important distinguishing element of what makes or breaks a Christmas movie. The holidays need to be the motivating action for the events of the film to unfold, otherwise, it could be set at any time of year.

The entire reason anything happens in Die Hard is the Christmas Party at Nakatomi plaza. Otherwise, John McClane would never have been in Los Angeles in the first place and the German terrorists specifically chose Christmas Eve, knowing the building would be empty say for the necessary amount of party guests needed as hostages to successfully pull off the heist.

Christmas is more than just a backdrop and set dressing for the film.

While true, there could very well have been different story contrivance to set this same plot in motion at a different time of year, however, the tone of the film would have been entirely shifted.

The Christmas setting in Die Hard serves to take some of the edge off the film, avoiding the pitfalls of becoming a simple dark, gritty and violent action flick. The holiday jokes sprinkled throughout, the juxtaposition of jolly Christmas imagery to the fire and explosions, the soundtrack a perfect mix of action intensity and traditional holiday tracks.

The bad guys even exclaim “Merry Christmas” upon breaking into the vault with smiles on their faces like kids ready to rip open presents all with “Joy to The World” playing in the background.

It’s clear Die Hard was crafted specifically with Christmas in mind from the beginning.

The relationship between John and his wife Holly (yes, that's her name) even follows a traditional arc present in family-oriented Christmas films. Opening with their relationship on the fritz and through the events of the film, John comes to realize the mistakes he's made ending with their love being stronger than ever.

The final nail in the coffin for Die Hard as a holiday flick deniers is the fact it fades to black to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s “Let it Snow.”

In truth Die Hard remains one of the best actions films ever made, a stand out in the genre that even later entries in ther series were unable to reach this level of masterpiece filmmaking. It can be enjoyed all year long but is just that little bit more special during the holidays.

Die Hard stands out among the sea of heartwarming holiday comedies and romances and is the perfect fun, bombastic addition and much-needed change of pace to any holiday movie marathon.

Arguing against listing Die Hard among other Christmas classics is utterly pedantic and anti-fun. Just let people enjoy things, know that getting heated over what does and doesn’t qualify as a Christmas movie is ultimately against the Holiday spirit

This holiday season, consider telling all the haters “Yippee-kay-yay motherf**ker,” sit back, relax and enjoy some action-packed Christmas fun.