Every December, a familiar question reappears across social media and family gatherings: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie?
The 1988 action film starring Bruce Willis as New York police officer John McClane takes place on Christmas Eve during a holiday office party in which guests are held hostage by terrorists. This interesting dynamic has sparked intense debate on if the movie is a Christmas movie.
Some fans are die-hard believers that it is a holiday movie. They point to the Christmas setting, festive music like “Let It Snow” and “Christmas in Hollis,” and themes of love and redemption as proof that “Die Hard” embodies the holiday spirit—just with more explosions.
“I feel very passionate that ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie,” said junior Lyles Hutcheson. “I watch it every year with my dad.”
Others disagree. Some students argue that “Die Hard” is an action movie that happens to be set during Christmas. They note the movie focuses on gunfights and fighting rather than cozy holiday cheer.
“Christmas movies should be kid friendly and not have any fighting,” said junior Milly Watson. “‘Die Hard’ is just an action movie that happens to take place on Christmas.”
The debate even extends to those who made the film.
Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza has said the film is definitely a Christmas movie, while Willis declared in a 2018 television special that it is “not a Christmas movie—it’s a Bruce Willis movie.”
The argument shows no signs of calming down.
Every year, “Die Hard” viewership spikes in December, as fans revisit the film and open up the discussion of its nature as a holiday movie.
Whether viewers watch it for nostalgia, action, or seasonal spirit, “Die Hard” continues to be a hot topic and intense controversy on its role as either a Christmas classic and action thriller.
