Yippie Kai Yay, Mr. Falcon!
And a topless lady!
I’ll make one more argument for the Christmasity of Die Hard:
McClane’s wife’s name is “Holly”.
Just like in that other well-known Christmas movie!: Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) - IMDb
I would buy that this is a Christmas movie if instead of “Yippie Kai Yay” he said “Ho Ho Ho, motherfucker”.
No, it’s a movie about a crime being committed during the Christmas season. A “Christmas Movie” is Christmas centered. The theme relates directly to Christmas in one way or the other. “Die Hard” doesn’t satisfy that requirement.
It was a summer release.
If it was intended to be a Christmas Movie™, why did they release it in July?
Like “Now I have a machine gun, ho ho ho”?
Not a sufficient proof:
Holiday Inn was released in August.
Miracle on 34th Street was released in June.
White Christmas was released in October.
Lethal Weapon* was released in March.
*If Die Hard is a “Christmas movie” so is LW.
Ten fun facts about one of the greatest non-Christmas action movies of all time: 10 Fun Facts About 'Die Hard!' | Geeks
Point ten is incorrect, the movie was called “Jungla de Cristal” only in Spain (and I suppose an few other countries afflicted with horrible title translation), fortunately in Argentina and other countries it was called “Duro de matar” (Hard to kill).
I had voted “Yes” before, but I’ve changed my mind. It’s set against the backdrop of the Christmas season, but that’s about it. Same with Love Actually, which could be set at any other time of year and be unaffected.
Bill Nighy’s plotline completely revolves around Christmas. The key to the Alan Rickman/Emma Thompson story is a Christmas gift. And of course, the finale at the Christmas play.
Side note: That makes me think of how the title of Willis’ The Sixth Sense was rendered when it appeared in China. Spoiler alert:
He’s a Ghost
On the Bruce Willis Roast on Comedy Central (July 2018), Bruce Almighty himself said emphatically, “Die Hard is NOT a f***ing Christmas movie.”
Personally, I am in the camp that says, “although it takes place at Christmas, it is not about Christmas, so it is not a Christmas movie.”
Based on the poll results at this moment, we both are in the minority.
This will resolve nothing, but here goes anyway:
ETA: I voted no.
I’m glad to be in the national majority on this issue of vital importance, even if I’m in the Doper minority.
He’s wrong.
Dare you to tell him that when he’s got a machine gun, ho ho ho.
Is It’s A Wonderful Life about Christmas?