The great American debate settled: Is this action movie really a Christmas classic?
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As the holiday season approaches, a familiar debate resurfaces with the persistence of a festive fruitcake: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
This question has sparked more heated discussions than the best method for cooking a holiday turkey. Now, more than three decades after its release, a poll has sought to put the matter to rest, but the results might not be the definitive answer we were hoping for.
Holiday traditions can be deeply personal, often wrapped in layers of nostalgia as thick as the winter snow. So, let's unwrap this debate with care, examining both sides and adding our own perspective to the mix.
The poll, conducted in November 2023, revealed a nation divided. Half of the respondents gave a resounding “ho ho no,” denying Die Hard the Christmas movie status, while only 26% embraced it as part of their holiday viewing tradition.
A significant 23% remained on the fence, unsure where to place the action-packed tale of John McClane's explosive Christmas Eve.
The skeptics argue that just because a movie takes place during Christmas doesn't automatically earn it a spot under the tree.
Die Hard, they say, is an action film through and through, with its July release date further distancing it from the yuletide season. The film's focus on terrorists, gunfire, and skyscraper showdowns seems a far cry from the cozy, family-centric themes we associate with Christmas classics.
Moreover, the team at Yahoo UK’s proposed litmus test for a holiday flick suggests that if a film makes sense without Christmas, it's not a Christmas movie.
By this measure, Die Hard could arguably take place on any given day, with the holiday backdrop being more coincidental than central to the plot.
On the other side of the debate, proponents of Die Hard's Christmas status point to the undeniable holiday elements sprinkled throughout the film.
Christmas Eve is the setting, holiday music punctuates the soundtrack, and festive decorations are visible amidst the chaos. The movie also touches on themes of family reconciliation and personal sacrifice, which resonate with the spirit of the season.
Furthermore, the film's inclusion of Christmas references, as noted by film data analyst Stephen Follows, and the use of holiday iconography, such as Santa hats and paper snowflakes, add to the argument that Die Hard is more than just an action movie—it's a Christmas action movie.
Despite the poll results, the debate over Die Hard speaks to the broader conversation about what constitutes a Christmas movie.
Is it the setting, the themes, the release date, or the audience's perception that defines the genre? Perhaps it's a combination of all these factors, or maybe it's something more intangible—a feeling that a movie evokes during the holiday season.
What's clear is that Die Hard has become a cultural touchstone, with its own traditions and rituals. Some fans eagerly await the annual rewatch as part of their holiday festivities, while others prefer to stick with more conventional choices like Home Alone and A Christmas Story.
Ultimately, whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie may be a matter of personal choice. It's a decision that each viewer can make, based on their own holiday experiences and preferences. As the film's director, John McTiernan, said, it's for the audience to decide.
What are your thoughts on this festive film debate? Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas classic, or do you reserve that title for movies with a more traditional holiday vibe? Share your opinions and holiday movie traditions in the comments below!
What are your thoughts on this festive film debate? Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas classic, or do you reserve that title for movies with a more traditional holiday vibe? Share your opinions and holiday movie traditions in the comments below!
This question has sparked more heated discussions than the best method for cooking a holiday turkey. Now, more than three decades after its release, a poll has sought to put the matter to rest, but the results might not be the definitive answer we were hoping for.
Holiday traditions can be deeply personal, often wrapped in layers of nostalgia as thick as the winter snow. So, let's unwrap this debate with care, examining both sides and adding our own perspective to the mix.
The poll, conducted in November 2023, revealed a nation divided. Half of the respondents gave a resounding “ho ho no,” denying Die Hard the Christmas movie status, while only 26% embraced it as part of their holiday viewing tradition.
A significant 23% remained on the fence, unsure where to place the action-packed tale of John McClane's explosive Christmas Eve.
The skeptics argue that just because a movie takes place during Christmas doesn't automatically earn it a spot under the tree.
Half of Americans surveyed in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll do not consider Die Hard a Christmas movie. Image source: Die Hard IS a Christmas Movie via Facebook.
Die Hard, they say, is an action film through and through, with its July release date further distancing it from the yuletide season. The film's focus on terrorists, gunfire, and skyscraper showdowns seems a far cry from the cozy, family-centric themes we associate with Christmas classics.
Moreover, the team at Yahoo UK’s proposed litmus test for a holiday flick suggests that if a film makes sense without Christmas, it's not a Christmas movie.
By this measure, Die Hard could arguably take place on any given day, with the holiday backdrop being more coincidental than central to the plot.
On the other side of the debate, proponents of Die Hard's Christmas status point to the undeniable holiday elements sprinkled throughout the film.
Christmas Eve is the setting, holiday music punctuates the soundtrack, and festive decorations are visible amidst the chaos. The movie also touches on themes of family reconciliation and personal sacrifice, which resonate with the spirit of the season.
Furthermore, the film's inclusion of Christmas references, as noted by film data analyst Stephen Follows, and the use of holiday iconography, such as Santa hats and paper snowflakes, add to the argument that Die Hard is more than just an action movie—it's a Christmas action movie.
Despite the poll results, the debate over Die Hard speaks to the broader conversation about what constitutes a Christmas movie.
Is it the setting, the themes, the release date, or the audience's perception that defines the genre? Perhaps it's a combination of all these factors, or maybe it's something more intangible—a feeling that a movie evokes during the holiday season.
What's clear is that Die Hard has become a cultural touchstone, with its own traditions and rituals. Some fans eagerly await the annual rewatch as part of their holiday festivities, while others prefer to stick with more conventional choices like Home Alone and A Christmas Story.
Ultimately, whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie may be a matter of personal choice. It's a decision that each viewer can make, based on their own holiday experiences and preferences. As the film's director, John McTiernan, said, it's for the audience to decide.
What are your thoughts on this festive film debate? Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas classic, or do you reserve that title for movies with a more traditional holiday vibe? Share your opinions and holiday movie traditions in the comments below!
What are your thoughts on this festive film debate? Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas classic, or do you reserve that title for movies with a more traditional holiday vibe? Share your opinions and holiday movie traditions in the comments below!
