In the second scene of the 1988 film “Die Hard” our protagonist, Detective John McClaine, hopes to reconcile with his estranged wife named Holly at her office party at Nakatomi Tower in California on Dec. 24. He brings presents including a giant teddy bear with a big red bow. Do you notice a theme here?
That’s because “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. It always will be.
A heartfelt story of a man returning to his family for the holidays is the most Christmas-y story there is.
Sure, the film’s plot has the reluctant hero McClaine defending the tower and hostages from East German terrorists. But, the whole point is that he’s only there because he wants to be with his family , a plot device used in other iconic Christmas flicks like “Christmas Vacation”, “Elf” and “The Santa Clause”.
In order to be considered a Christmas movie, there has to be some sort of involvement of the holiday in the film. “Die Hard” is littered with allusions and even explicit remarks in regards to Christmas.
Hans Gruber, the antagonist and leader of the terrorists, says “It’s Christmas, Theo; it’s a time for miracles” in an exchange with one of his goons. In another scene, McClaine sends a dead terrorist down an elevator with a Santa hat and a sign reading “Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho.” McClaine even has a gun attached to his back with wrapping tape in the final battle.
Finally, the structure of the film is the bow of this present, as multiple Christmas songs including perennial classics like “Winter Wonderland” and more contemporary favorites like Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” are used between scenes.
The ending even has snow in Los Angeles, “the first snow since 1962”, and the lovable limo driver, Argyle, says in his final line, “If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Years.”
Taking into account all of the familiar tropes, reoccuring themes and yuletide traditions, , “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, and America agrees as well. According to Statista, “Die Hard” was more watched across American homes last year than films like “Christmas Vacation”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “The Polar Express”. People are even selling Die Hard themed Christmas ornaments.
Yippee-Ki-yay, and Merry Christmas.
