Die Hard: Christmas Movie or Not?

Every December brings along the gift that is the annual Die Hard Debate. Arguments heated enough to warm cocoa, passionate discussion familiar to Christmas dinner with the family. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Is there an answer to the infamous question? Let's start at the beginning.

For those that have not seen the incredible cinematic masterpiece that is Die Hard, allow me to quickly summarize. The classic 1988 film follows John McClane, played by the amazing Bruce Willis, a New York cop that goes to Los Angeles to spend the holidays with his family. Shortly after arriving at his wife's Christmas party in Nakatomi Plaza, terrorists show up. McClane, being a police officer, makes it his mission to save the building and everyone inside.

Not exactly the plot of a Hallmark Christmas movie, but Die Hard is a Christmas movie nonetheless. And it is a great Christmas movie too, coming from a teen girl that has seen it about a hundred times.

But what exactly takes a movie from boring and typical non-seasonal movie to the great Christmas movie status?

Takes Place During the Holidays

For starters, a Christmas movie has to take place during the Christmas season, which Die Hard most definitely does. Not only does Die Hard take place during the jolliest time of year, it specifically takes place on Christmas Eve at a Christmas party. A giant Christmas tree, shining string lights, and elegant ornaments fill every empty space. Christmas presents practically border the scenes. During one of the first scenes at the airport, the room is filled with Christmas cheer. Families sharing presents, lovers spreading love. Not once does the viewer forget that it is Christmas.

Christmas Soundtrack

Every good Christmas movie has to have a great themed soundtrack. Die Hard is filled with Christmas classics. Winter Wonderland, Christmas in Hollis, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, and Jingle Bells? The soundtrack is Christmas through and through. Not only that, but director John McTieran and composer Michael Kamen worked together to use the previous Christmas songs to highlight the terrorists. Together they created an interesting scenario for the viewer, as Christmas is very rarely used in that kind of way.

Would the Movie Be the Same Without Christmas?

A Christmas movie needs to be based around the holidays for a reason. In Die Hard, John McClane and his wife have recently separated. Holly got a great opportunity in Los Angeles, but McClane refused to leave his brothers at the New York Police Department. McClane goes to the Christmas party in Los Angeles to reunite with his wife and kids and repair all past damage.

Without Christmas, there would be no Christmas party to begin with. Now, some may say that the terrorists didn't decide to strike because it was Christmas Eve, but that very well could be the reason. The hostile group probably knew that there was only the one security guard and the Christmas party in Nakatomi Tower at that time. Christmas Eve was probably the best time to rob the place.

Additionally, the Christmas setting is the only reason John McClane went to Los Angeles. He wanted to see his son and daughter for Christmas, as well as apologize to his wife. So without Christmas there would be no party, no John McClane to save the day, and possibly even no heist or terrorists.

Without Christmas, there would be no Die Hard.

There we go. Die Hard is a Christmas movie. It takes place during a Christmas party, with a great Christmas soundtrack, and Christmas is actually vital to the plot.

Case officially closed.