When you think of Christmas movies the usual suspects come to mind, Santa, Clark Griswold, Grinch, or even the kid who engineered elaborate traps in under an hour to defend his house.
A riveting skyscraper takeover with ceiling vents, shattered glass, bullet-holes, and “yipee-ki-yay,” doesn’t exactly scream Christmas. Calling “Die Hard” a Christmas movie is like calling your last-minute Christmas gift thoughtful, neither of which are true.
While yes, the movie takes place on Christmas Eve, a calendar date does not change the genre of a movie. it is also true, it does have Christmas music but so does every store in November.
Although, the protagonist John McClane is trying to get home to his family for Christmas. The scene on the plane serves as a backdrop for the rest of the story.
The majority of the picture is about a high stakes terrorism situation in Los Angeles. Not a seasonal problem connected to family, generosity, or the spirit of the holidays.
There are no lessons about kindness, togetherness, or warmth. “Die Hard” places emphasis on resourcefulness, survival in intense situations, and outsmarting criminals in clever ways.
The film’s pacing, as well as the structure, also provide insight into why it isn’t a Christmas movie. The scenes in “Die Hard” move from one fast-paced confrontational situation to the next seamlessly.
Another reason “Die Hard” can’t be classified as a Christmas movie is because the conflict would work on literally every other day of the year.
Nothing about the main narrative requires it to take place during the holidays. The plot isn’t shaped by Christmas either, and the holiday elements instead feel like a convenient stylistic touch rather than a part of the film’s identity.
With all that being said, “Die Hard” is a great movie, and I highly recommend you check it out. It is Bruce Willis’ most iconic performance, and has so many thrilling scenes that will have you heavily invested in the plot-line of the film.
While I respect the argument, once again a calendar date does not change the genre of a film. An action flick with holiday undertones, and Christmas trees, is still just an action flick.
