Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Here’s why the discussion is finally wrapped up

Is Die Hard a Christmas or holiday movie? There always seems to be a great divide when it comes to this film, but perhaps fans can look at what films are already considered Christmas themed to help find an answer. To be clear, there are classics that always come out during the holiday season and will probably always be considered to fall under the Christmas tree category.

It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! or recent adaptations like The Grinch or Jim Carrey’s rendition back in 2000. But not all Christmas movies are full of holiday cheer. In fact, these classics have some form of dramatic backstory or action sequences before reaching a jolly good ending.

There are newer films or series where there’s already a classic vibe to it, such as Jingle Jangle and The Christmas Chronicles. There are also movies predicated around the holiday season that aren’t animated or have a classic feel to it. There’s The Holiday, Four Christmases or Dash & Lily over on Netflix. These lean towards the romantic comedy (or dramedy) genre, but Christmas or the holiday season is the central timeframe for all of them. So, is the time of year what makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie?

Is Die Hard not a Christmas movie because it’s an action movie?

It’s already been established (up above) that Christmas or holiday movies come in a variety of genres. Dramas, romantic comedies, comedies, animation or even horror films like Krampus or Black Christmas. Plus, Violent Night featuring David Harbour is an action-packed take on a Santa who has “gone rogue.”

If movie fans take anything away from this conversation, and seeing how many different genres are wrapped up during the holiday season or are specifically Christmas-themed, there’s only one answer to the question: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie. If anyone would search IMDB for quotes, Die Hard mentions Christmas (at least 10 times) more often than It’s a Wonderful Life (7) or Miracle on 34th Street (5). Is that definitive proof? Perhaps it’s enough to at least help its case. Many characters refer to Christmas, and what better time to pull off a heist than when a large building is mostly empty and a Christmas party is central to the big baddie’s ruse.

Hans Gruber, played by the magnificent Alan Rickman, is calculating and understands they will be able to easily control the party, its guests and go about their day before any trouble comes about. Obviously, Gruber did not intend for John McClane to save the day, but that’s not the point. They arrive to a Christmas party where employees are vulnerable and unable to stop them from being robbed.

Plus, if you’re looking for a Christmas movie, don’t forget about the music. Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC is the first song I think about when I think about Die Hard. If you listen to the entire song, you’ll hear them sing, “We want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” Much like an action movie might not be deemed typical for the holidays, Christmas music also doesn’t have to be indicative of any particular genre.

Die Hard’s soundtrack also includes “Ode to Joy,” a song sometimes heard around the holiday season. There’s even great importance with this song as it’s referenced as “Japan’s Christmas song,” where 10,000 singers come together to sing it. Not only is that impressive on its own, but the song is one fans might think of when they refer back to the action-packed film.

Different does not mean Christmas is lacking in Die Hard

Die Hard might not be what most think of when the holiday season comes around, but being different is the only outlier. It might not be a family-friendly movie, but neither is A Bad Moms Christmas; however, A Bad Moms Christmas is definitely a Christmas movie. Both Die Hard and A Bad Moms Christmas are vulgar and funny at times, but it’s centrally wrapped around the most wonderful time of the year.

John McClane even comes prepared with a gift for his daughter, while being hopeful of spending time with his loved ones. Granted, his decorating style is a little Weekend at Bernie’s, but technically Die Hard came out first, so maybe it should be given even more credit to how far ahead of its time it actually was.

Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Genre doesn’t impact whether or not it fits; otherwise, many other movies or shows might come under the same conclusion. Next, people will say Hawkeye isn’t a Christmas show. Christmas lights are literally hung within the show’s poster, so much like Die Hard – that’s a wrap!

What do you think about Die Hard being labeled a Christmas movie? Is it possible to let fans have their fun, so they can shout “yippee-ki-yay” and “ho-ho-ho” all within the same film? Share your thoughts in the comments below!