# The best Christmas movie ever: "Die Hard" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827 "2017-12-07T20:15:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/1 "2017-12-07T20:15:55Z")
All decent and right-thinking people know that “Die Hard” is the best Christmas movie ever and if you disagree you’re simply wrong and I’m right. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way, so he won’t be joining us for the rest of his life. Why is it the best Christmas movie ever? Let me explain. 1. Classic Christmas story. What is Die Hard about? Sure, shooting, but at heart it’s about a man who’s way too into his job trying to see his family for Christmas, and hijinks related to his job get in the way and prevent him from doing so. It’s classic Christmas stuff. 1. Christmas music You need Christmas music in your Christmas movie. Die Hard has “Christmas in Hollis” which right there is worth the price of admission but it’s got Reginald VelJohnson singing “Let it Snow” in LA, Christmas bells in the score, the works. Come on. 1. All kinds of Christmas references Dead guys wearing Christmas hats. McClane taping a gun to himself with Christmas tape. His wife’s name is “Holly.” Come ON. 1. It’s about giving John McClane gives his wife and the guests the best Christmas gift ever; their lives. Argyle gives John help, as does Powell. McClane also gives the bad guys many gifts in the form of shiny bullets and fire. Hans gives Ellis some unexpected vacation. Maybe Deputy Chief Robinson even gets some new FBI guys. Lightly used helicopters are practically falling from the sky! 'Tis the season! Now is the time, and this is the thread, to discuss why Die Hard is so wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/2 "2017-12-07T20:17:55Z")
There is a sizable minority who [disagree](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709297) that it’s a Christmas Movie (FWIW I think it is one). ---
**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:** [December 7, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/3 "2017-12-07T20:20:04Z")
Not a Christmas movie. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/4 "2017-12-07T20:23:56Z")
It is not technically a Christmas movie, in the sense that it is THE Christmas movie. Carry on. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/5 "2017-12-07T20:30:46Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It is not technically a Christmas movie, in the sense that it is THE Christmas movie. Carry on. LOL, it’s not even A Christmas movie, let alone THE Christmas movie. And even if it was a Christmas Movie, which it isn’t, the best Christmas movie ever is Bad Santa. Also, Die Hard is not a Christmas Movie. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/6 "2017-12-07T20:35:08Z")
My runner up nomination is Gremlins. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/7 "2017-12-07T20:46:30Z")
I agree with your position, Die Hard is my go-to Best Christmas Movie, and Gremlins runs close to the top of the list as well. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/8 "2017-12-07T20:47:03Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > the best Christmas movie ever is Bad Santa. I’ll stay out of the “is **Die Hard** a Christmas movie,” debate, but I do agree with this. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/9 "2017-12-07T20:48:17Z")
It’s got family bonding, when both John and Holly get to punch out the smarmy newsman. The true meaning of Christmas comes through - do not live your life in hate, lest ye get sent to eternal damnation via machine gun. ho ho ho! And there were in the same country police abiding in the field, keeping watch over their city by night. And, lo, the angel of the death came upon them, and the hail of .223 flew round about them: and they were sore afraid. But the angel of good said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, and C4, which shall be to all people. For unto you is arrived this day in the City of Angels a Saviour, which is John the Mclane. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavy weapons, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Yippie-kai-yay, motherfuckers It’s a Christmas movie about as much as The Poseidon Adventure is, or Lethal Weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/10 "2017-12-07T20:56:43Z")
No, The Poseidon Adventure is a New Year’s Eve 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:** [December 7, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/11 "2017-12-07T21:03:12Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > No, The Poseidon Adventure is a New Year’s Eve movie. There’s a Christmas tree. That’s enough for me. 🙂 Not all Christmas movies take place on Christmas Eve. ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/12 "2017-12-07T22:20:47Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > LOL, it’s not even A Christmas movie, let alone THE Christmas movie. > > And even if it was a Christmas Movie, which it isn’t, the best Christmas movie ever is Bad Santa. > > Also, Die Hard is not a Christmas Movie. I tend to come down on the side of Die Hard being a Christmas movie, but yes, Bad Santa is indisputably the greatest Christmas movie ever made. Seriously, how is this even a discussion? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/13 "2017-12-07T22:35:42Z")
> [@zoog](#): > > I tend to come down on the side of Die Hard being a Christmas movie, but yes, Bad Santa is indisputably the greatest Christmas movie ever made. Seriously, how is this even a discussion? Because if you tell me I can only watch one on Christmas, I’ll pick Die Hard. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/14 "2017-12-07T22:42:12Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > All decent and right-thinking people know that “Die Hard” is the best Christmas movie ever and if you disagree you’re simply wrong and I’m right. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way, so he won’t be joining us for the rest of his life. > > Why is it the best Christmas movie ever? Let me explain. > > 1. Classic Christmas story. > > What is Die Hard about? Sure, shooting, but at heart it’s about a man who’s way too into his job trying to see his family for Christmas, and hijinks related to his job get in the way and prevent him from doing so. It’s classic Christmas stuff. > > 1. Christmas music > > You need Christmas music in your Christmas movie. Die Hard has “Christmas in Hollis” which right there is worth the price of admission but it’s got Reginald VelJohnson singing “Let it Snow” in LA, Christmas bells in the score, the works. Come on. > > 1. All kinds of Christmas references > > Dead guys wearing Christmas hats. McClane taping a gun to himself with Christmas tape. His wife’s name is “Holly.” Come ON. > > 1. It’s about giving > > John McClane gives his wife and the guests the best Christmas gift ever; their lives. Argyle gives John help, as does Powell. McClane also gives the bad guys many gifts in the form of shiny bullets and fire. Hans gives Ellis some unexpected vacation. Maybe Deputy Chief Robinson even gets some new FBI guys. Lightly used helicopters are practically falling from the sky! 'Tis the season! > > Now is the time, and this is the thread, to discuss why Die Hard is so wonderful. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s got family bonding, when both John and Holly get to punch out the smarmy newsman. > > The true meaning of Christmas comes through - do not live your life in hate, lest ye get sent to eternal damnation via machine gun. ho ho ho! 6.\* Hans Gruber and his merry band are a bunch of high tech Grinches. \*Or is it 7.? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/15 "2017-12-07T22:44:17Z")
_Miracle on 34th Street_ is the best “Christmas Movie” but \*Die Hard \*and _It’s Wonderful Life_ are 2 great Christmas Time Movies that just happen to take place at Christmas time. BTW: \*Fitzwilly \*starring dick Van Dyke and Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon) and _Shop Around the Corner_ (also Jimmy Stewart) are 2 more great Christmas Time Movies that aren’t “Christmas Movies”. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/16 "2017-12-07T22:59:50Z")
_Die Hard_ is the definitive Christmas action movie, with _Kiss Kiss Bang Bang_ and _The Long Kiss Goodnight_ ranking a close second and third respectively. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/17 "2017-12-07T23:35:48Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > And even if it was a Christmas Movie, which it isn’t, the best Christmas movie ever is Bad Santa. Bad Santa? _Bad Santa??_ :smack: Bad Santa is nothing more than a heist flick-comedy that just happens to be set during the Christmas Holidays. Now I don’t know that I’d say that _Die Hard_ is _THE_ Christmas Movie, but I think that the OP makes a compelling case. You…you’re just talkin’ Crazy Talk. _Bad Santa!_ :rolleyes: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/18 "2017-12-07T23:52:54Z")
You’ll get no argument from me. Die Hard is both a Christmas movie, and the _greatest_ Christmas movie. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/19 "2017-12-08T00:15:14Z")
It’s just not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls off the Nakatomi Plaza. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827/20 "2017-12-08T01:07:50Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > It’s just not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls off the Nakatomi Plaza. \*And every time Hans Gruber falls an angel gets his wings. \* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-christmas-movie-ever-die-hard/803827.md?page=2)