December has arrived, and it’s time to recall some Christmas movies. Let’s talk about the 1988 film Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis. But is it a Christmas movie?
Even though it was an action flick, and was released in July—the answer is yes. It’s been a matter of debate for years because this film is widely considered as one due to its Christmas Eve setting.
In 2018, Fox settled the age-old debate about whether Bruce Willis’ starrer is a Christmas movie. The studio re-cut the film’s original trailer to give it a holiday spin and declared it “the greatest Christmas story ever told.”
Besides this, many reasons prove that the first Die Hard film is a total Christmas movie. Some stats show that it attracted 1.3 million viewers on Christmas Eve in 2016—the stats don’t lie.
The film has even surpassed more traditional Christmas films like Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, and The Santa Clause. Here are the other five reasons that will convince you.
It Begins on Christmas Eve
The story of Die Hard literally kick-started on Christmas Eve. It takes place during a holiday office party. In the movie’s opening scene, John McClane (Bruce Willis) arrives at LAX International Airport with a Christmas gift. He meets his wife, Holly, at her workplace and walks into a holiday office party.
It Amps Up Festive Vibes with Christmas Music
Die Hard is not just a film but a Christmas carol concert loaded with popular holiday hits. The film has four Christmas songs, including soundtracks like Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow!, Christmas in Hollis, and Ode to Joy, all setting the festive mood.
It’s Compared to a Classic Christmas Movie
Some people have compared It’s a Wonderful Life to Die Hard. While they belong to different genres, some viewers see Die Hard as a secret remake of this Christmas classic.
It’s because the parallels drawn between John McClane and George Bailey (protagonists) and Hans Gruber and Mr. Potter (antagonists) show character connections.
It has the Surprising Appearance of Santa Claus
In Die Hard, Santa Claus sort of makes an appearance. During a fight, John McClane defeats Tony (an antagonist) and sends his body down to Hans Gruber (the main antagonist) in an elevator. He adorns Tony’s body with a Santa hat, and his shirt conveys, “Now I have a machine gun. Ho, ho, ho.”
It has Gifts Galore, From Snack Cakes to Rolexes
In the film, various characters exchange gifts. John’s LA cop friend, Sgt. Al Powell buys snack cakes for his pregnant wife at a convenience store. Then Harry Ellis gives Holly a Rolex watch as a company present.
The FBI’s strategic move to cut power serves as a tactical gift to Hans Gruber. And even John McClane’s gun was “kind of” gift-wrapped in the final showdown.
Here’s a Bonus Point:
It snows at the end of the film, which adds a touch of holiday magic. Los Angeles rarely experiences snowfall, and the last recorded instance was in 1962. The unexpected snowfall in the film’s conclusion is different from the typical Southern California climate. This created a festive Christmas vibe.
