Every December, families across the UK gather for mince pies, mulled wine, and the inevitable good-natured bickering about whether John McClane belongs alongside the 1951 A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life and not to forget The Muppet Christmas Carol.
So, in the spirit of seasonal cheer (and mild chaos), let’s take a playful look at both sides of the argument before delivering the definitive answer. Well… sort of.
The Case For Die Hard Being a Christmas Movie
Those in favour stand proud and firm — like a heroic action star walking barefoot across broken glass.
1. It’s literally set on Christmas Eve
Not “around Christmastime”. Not “in winter”. Christmas Eve. At a Christmas party. With tinsel. That’s pretty strong evidence.
2. Christmas music is everywhere
Run-DMC’s Christmas in Hollis sets the tone. We hear festive favourites throughout. Even the closing song wishes us a merry Christmas. If music makes a Christmas film Christmas-y, Die Hard qualifies.
3. The theme of reconciliation is pure Christmas tradition
John wants to mend things with Holly. Families reconnecting? Hearts softening? That’s prime festive material. Actually, is the name of the hero's wife, Holly, perhaps a producer's nod to it being a Christmas movie?
4. There are presents
Granted: one of the presents is a machine gun (“Ho-ho-ho…”), but let’s not be snobby about alternative gift-giving cultures.
5. Hans Gruber falls from a great height — which is practically a panto tradition
“Oh no he didn’t!”
“Oh yes he did!”
6. It’s become an annual ritual
If you watch it every December without fail… congratulations. It’s a Christmas movie to you. And that counts for something.
The Case Against It
For balance, and to keep the peace at the table, here are the counter-arguments.
1. It’s an action film first, Christmas film second
Most Christmas movies don’t feature a body count, explosions, and endless gunfire. Elf this is not.
2. Remove Christmas from the plot… and it still works
You could set the Nakatomi incident in July at the office summer BBQ and the story wouldn’t fold in half.
3. There’s no Santa, snow, reindeer, or magical lesson
Unless you count “always check the ventilation ducts”, which admittedly is quite practical.
4. Hans Gruber is not a festive villain
He doesn’t want to steal Christmas. He wants the bearer bonds. Not very Christmassy.
So… What’s the Verdict?
Here at That’s Christmas 365, we believe in festive inclusivity. Some people love pudding. Some prefer trifle. Some think Die Hard is a Christmas film. Some think it isn’t.
But we can reveal the definitive, conclusive, scholarly truth:
If you watch it at Christmas, it’s a Christmas movie. If you don’t, it isn’t.
There you go. Argument settled. John McClane may not wear a Santa hat (although that ho-ho-ho jumper counts for partial credit), but he brings families together every year — even if it’s just to argue about him.
Final Die Hard Thought
Whether you’re Team Christmas Movie or Team Absolutely Not, pop it on this December, grab a plate of leftover turkey sandwiches, turn down the lights, and enjoy the explosions.
And remember:
Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho.
Happy watching — and happy debating!