# Is "Die Hard" a Christmas Movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [December 2, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283 "2013-12-02T14:48:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/221 "2018-08-06T03:59:49Z")
Willis knows that some truths bear repeating. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/222 "2018-08-06T04:08:09Z")
Dammit! and I actually reread the last few posts to make sure it hadnt already been reported. since it aired on the 28th I thought I went back far enough. I shoulda known some doper was on top of it. Sorry **Cell Guy** , didn’t man to ignore you! mc ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/223 "2018-11-25T17:05:58Z")
As has become my personal holiday tradition I am resurrecting this thread (although it somehow did a “natural” resurrection few months ago already). ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/224 "2018-11-25T18:57:35Z")
The ties of family (McClanes estrangement) defeat crass materialism. It’s not just A Christmas story, it’s one of the best. Second place goes to The Ref. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/225 "2018-11-25T20:13:13Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > The ties of family (McClanes estrangement) defeat crass materialism. It’s not just A Christmas story, it’s one of the best. Second place goes to The Ref. [_Trapped in Paradise_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111477/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_73) beats _The Ref_ by a mile. It has Mrs. Fish as the Ma Barker of the family! ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/226 "2018-11-26T13:49:05Z")
AGAIN with this? No, NO! A thousand times NO! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/227 "2018-11-26T13:52:17Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > AGAIN with this? No, NO! A thousand times NO! Tell it to Harkins theaters. Die Hard is their Tuesday Night Classic movie on Dec 25. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/228 "2018-11-26T17:11:16Z")
Although it is set at Christmastime, that has no part in the plot. The same movie could have been set at any time of the year without changing anything about the plot. I think the Christmas angle was just an easy way to explain a party in an office building. But certainly not the only way possible. A movie doesn’t have to be _about_ Christmas to be a Christmas movie, but Christmas should somehow be pivotal in the plot. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/229 "2018-11-26T18:09:05Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Tell it to Harkins theaters. Die Hard is their Tuesday Night Classic movie on Dec 25. Is it their “Tuesday Night Classic” movie or their “Tuesday Night Christmas Classic” movie? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/230 "2018-11-26T19:01:47Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Is it their “Tuesday Night Classic” movie or their “Tuesday Night Christmas Classic” movie? The former. TNC movies run all year, but they do get “themed” at this time of year. The ones running last month and this month are Planes, Trains and Automobiles Love Actually Polar Express Home Alone Christmas Vacation Die Hard Special Christmas bonus movies on Saturdays this month are: Miracle on 34th street (1947) It’s a Wonderful Life Elf ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/231 "2018-11-26T20:30:45Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > AGAIN with this? No, NO! A thousand times NO! Preach it! ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/232 "2018-11-26T21:05:29Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > The former. TNC movies run all year, but they do get “themed” at this time of year. > > The ones running last month and this month are > > Planes, Trains and Automobiles > Love Actually > Polar Express > Home Alone > Christmas Vacation > Die Hard > > Special Christmas bonus movies on Saturdays this month are: > Miracle on 34th street (1947) > It’s a Wonderful Life > Elf Let me know if they start playing Lethal Weapon or Rocky IV, since they both have about the same amount of Christmas in them as Die Hard. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/233 "2018-11-26T21:59:37Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > A movie doesn’t have to be _about_ Christmas to be a Christmas movie, but Christmas should somehow be pivotal in the plot. Is Christmas a pivotal plot point in **It’s a Wonderful Life**? No. Most of the movie doesn’t take place around the holiday, and George Bailey’s financial problems could’ve happened at any time of the year–and the generous spirit of the Bedford Falls townfolk is certainly not limited to the season (nor his suicide attempt or Clarence’s intervention). Most of the Christmas references are peripheral to the story and are mostly atmospheric window dressing. You can say the exact same thing about **Home Alone, Gremlins,** and **The Bishop’s Wife**. All use Christmas as a backdrop but the function of Christmas is marginal at best in terms of driving the plot forward somehow. It is mostly ladled on as atmosphere–music, production design, jokey references. By your (completely arbitrary) definition, none of these films have any greater claim to being a Xmas film than **DH**. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/234 "2018-11-27T00:18:01Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > By your (completely arbitrary) definition]. I’m entitled to whatever definition I want. This is a matter of opinion. What’s _your_ completely arbitrary definition? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/235 "2018-11-27T02:09:07Z")
It simply would not be Christmas without that wonderful holiday film, _Die Hard_. And the first sequel. And _Lethal Weapon_. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/236 "2018-11-28T17:19:09Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Of course it is! It’s text book Christmas movie material: > > Coming home for Christmas > Family conflict > Tragedy that allows conflicter to become hero > Reunited family > Christmas miracle (See **Zebra** ’s post) > Everything is OK > > Sprinkled with humor. > > It’s one of my all time favorite movies. Just going to repost this in support of why it is a Christmas movie. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/237 "2018-11-28T17:31:44Z")
We are talking about Die Hard. What you posted is clearly National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/238 "2018-11-28T17:42:27Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Although it is set at Christmastime, that has no part in the plot. The same movie could have been set at any time of the year without changing anything about the plot. I think the Christmas angle was just an easy way to explain a party in an office building. But certainly not the only way possible. > > A movie doesn’t have to be _about_ Christmas to be a Christmas movie, but Christmas should somehow be pivotal in the plot. Very few Christmas movies really rely on Christmas; switch some words here and there and you could have the same movie. Christmas movies about about the Christmas SPIRIT - family, generosity, charity, a sense of wonder, the eternal conflict between work and home, holiday stress, good cheer. Some throw in modern concerns, like consumerism. Die Hard has all those things. It’s the perfect Christmas movie. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/239 "2018-11-28T17:45:43Z")
Don’t forget guns and explosions. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283/240 "2018-11-28T17:52:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Don’t forget guns and explosions. Just like Christmas Vacation. Ergo Die Hard = Christmas Vacation = Christmas Movie [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-die-hard-a-christmas-movie/675283.md?page=13)