Die Hard is NOT a Christmas Movie

It’s time to end the debate that’s been tearing people apart seemingly every time this season arrives.  The question at the center of the debate:

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Without leaving you in suspense and with an aim toward settling this for good, we can say unequivocally that Die Hard is NOT a Christmas movie.

But, you may ask, it takes place at Christmas, involves a guy trying to get back together with his family, and also appears on numerous lists of best holiday films.  How can it not be?

Well, because people can be and are wrong.

There is a big difference between a Christmas movie and a movie set at Christmas.  In the same way that the original Independence Day movie is set during our nation’s independence day, it’s hardly a July 4th tradition to watch it.

In order to determine whether Die Hard, or any movie, is a Christmas movie, I typically rely on the following two criteria:

1. Does it deal with holiday themes?  Family, togetherness, peace, love, Christmas centricity, etc.  Literally a smorgasbord of themes to choose from.
2. Will you watch it any other time than Christmas?

Now, I’d argue that Die Hard meets the first criteria on only the thinnest of pretenses.  Sure, John McClane wants to reconnect with his family.  But this serves more as his primary motivation to shoot terrorists in the face than as a theme for the movie.

Still, let’s grant the first criteria for arguments sake and move to the second.  Would you watch Die Hard in May?  June?  Of course you would because it’s an action movie.  One of the best action movies of all time.  Yes it’s set at Christmas, but ultimately the movie has nothing to do with Christmas.

You can use these criteria to figure out if any movie is a Christmas movie.

White Christmas?  Christmas movie… Christmas themes and would only watch at Christmas.

Black Christmas?  Not a Christmas movie… set at Christmas but about murder and such.  Also wouldn’t watch most any time.

Home Alone?  Christmas movie.  Some violence, but ultimately about importance of family.  Would only watch at Christmas.  

Miracle on 34th Street - Christmas movie.

Love Actually - Not a Christmas movie.  Set at Christmas, but really a RomCom people will watch any time.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Christmas movie.

I could go on, but I won’t.  Feel free to dissent.  This is ultimately a subjective opinion and you’re definitely allowed to have a wrong opinion.