Ho, Ho, Ho: ‘Die Hard’ Isn’t A Christmas Movie

In recent years the argument for what should and shouldn’t be considered a Christmas movie has become a hot topic every holiday season. One movie in particular has become the center of this argument. You know the one I’m talking about. It takes place around Christmas time, with many scenes decorated in holiday decor, Christmas trees and lights. I am of course talking about Stanley Kubrick’s, Eyes Wide Shut. For years this movie has…. oh, you thought I was referring to Die Hard? Let’s tackle that one instead. The idea for this article sparked when I was at a local Best Buy the other week and was browsing the holiday movie section. I noticed that Die Hard was placed among movies like Christmas Vacation and Miracle on 34th Street. I thought to myself, “Has society finally caved to this idea?” While I do believe there are valid points for considering Die Hard a Christmas movie, as I will explain later, I’d like to persuade you to think otherwise.

To lay the foundation for my argument, I’d first like to establish some factors for what I believe every Christmas movie should have. If we look at the movies that are solidified in the canon of Christmas movies, there are some common factors that are found among them – the marketing, the music, and its heart. While not each factor alone can make the case for each movie, they should be weighed together as a whole when determining whether or not it belongs in the Christmas movie canon. 

Factor 1 – The Marketing

The very first thing that would make the average movie goer believe they were about to watch a Christmas movie is, of course, the title and cover art. The cover art is essential in telling the viewers what kind of movie to expect and what they are trying to sell you. The movie trailer is also an extension of the marketing that goes beyond the cover. If neither the trailer, title or the movie poster are not leading you to believe that you are about to watch a Christmas movie, then it is more than likely you’re not going to watch a Christmas movie. Here is the original movie poster and link to the original trailer for Die Hard below. 

Nothing about the poster alludes to any kind of Christmas theme, while everything about it highlights what an action-packed, thrilling adventure it is. The trailer hints a little bit at a Christmas theme, as it begins with a familiar holiday tune and ends with Bruce Willis talking about a Christmas party. But let us not forget that this movie was released in the middle of July, which definitely makes a stronger case for a summer blockbuster push. But who are we to judge a movie by it’s cover art? Let’s dig a little deeper. 

Factor 2- The Music

Most Christmas movies can be identified instantly by the extensive Christmas music played throughout. It plays a big part in evoking that Christmas spirit inside of us all that every Christmas movie wants us to feel. Pulling up a movie’s soundtrack and identifying a bevy of various renditions of classic Christmas songs is a very strong sign that the film intends to be a Christmas movie. Let’s look at Die Hard’s official soundtrack.

Tracklist

Only one out of the 21 tracks can be identified as a Christmas song. To be fair, Bruce Willis is heard whistling Jingle Bells at one point, and Powell can be heard singing Let it Snow! as well. I guess we can let Ode To Joy slide and pass as a Christmas song too. But they are brief, and merely allude to the fact the the heist is taking place during Christmas time. They are not sung or played with the intent to evoke the Christmas Spirit. Still not convinced? Let’s try one more factor.

Factor 3 – The Heart

One factor that is sure to be found across the board in every Christmas movie is a common theme of what Christmas is all about. While Die Hard may have bits and pieces of the first two factors, the heart of Christmas is missing. Instead, its plot rings more true with an action blockbuster released in the middle of July, as it should. On re-watch, Die Hard truly is one of the greatest action movies of all time. It set the bar for what action movies could and should be. But at its heart, it’s no Christmas movie. It’s an action-packed adventure thriller that happens to take place during Christmas. If you ask me, Die Hard 2 sets the stage for a Christmas theme better than its predecessor does. A man trying to get home to be with his family on Christmas spends the movie getting hung up at the airport? That plot rings a little more familiar with other canon Christmas movies. But I digress.

I’ve come to the conclusion that Die Hard is ultimately deceiving when portrayed as a Christmas movie. The story begins and ends with a familiar Christmas-like feeling. In the beginning we see a man trying to get home to his family for the holidays. As the credits roll, we hear Let it Snow! play the movie out and leaves us with that familiar feeling. One may even argue that Powell’s ability to finally pull his gun on the henchman at the end is in and of itself a Christmas miracle! But the meat of the movie is one of the greatest action movies with one of the greatest villains to date. I think it’s important to not let those aspects of the movie get lost in trying to seek out something in the movie that, at its heart, just isn’t there. By allowing Die Hard to pass as a Christmas movie, we set the bar too low and allow other movies to sneak into the canon that somewhat taint the authentic Christmas movies that belong there. By Die Hard standards, movies like Eyes Wide Shut, Batman Returns, and L.A. Confidential are all considered Christmas movies. That’s troublesome to me. I never think to use the Christmas season as an excuse to pull those types of movies off the shelf to watch, nor should you. Let’s save room every Christmas season for movies like The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage to remind us of the true Christmas Spirit we crave every December. Die Hard is great, but I hate to break it to you, it’s no Christmas movie. Merry Christmas!