The British public has made it clear: 'Die Hard' is not considered a Christmas film

A New York police officer, sporting a white tank top that inexplicably becomes completely filthy within moments, battles a group of vaguely European terrorists during a Christmas party in a Los Angeles skyscraper. Amidst the chaos, he also tries to repair his strained relationship with his estranged wife while Vaughn Monroes classic Let It Snow plays in the background.

For some, this high-octane festive action fits perfectly alongside holiday classics like Its A Wonderful Life. But not everyone agrees. The question of whether Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie has sparked heated debates akin to arguments over traditional holiday foods.

Every year, fans of pop culture revisit the argument: is the 1988 Bruce Willis film a holiday staple or just a high-action thriller? Opinions are divided, and even Willis and screenwriter Steven E. de Souza disagree. In 2017, de Souza insisted that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie, while a year later Willis stated, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, its a Bruce Willis movie.

Regardless of differing opinions, the film undeniably features Christmas elements: it begins on Christmas Eve, includes holiday tunes like Let It Snow and Winter Wonderland, and the protagonists wife is named Holly. That alone seems like enough evidence for some.

Across the pond, the UK has a contrasting view. A survey of 2,000 people by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) found that 44% rejected Die Hard as a Christmas classic, while 38% supported it as a festive favorite, and 17% were undecided. By comparison, Home Alone emerged as the UKs clear holiday favorite, chosen by 20% of respondents. Other top picks included Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Love Actually at 9%, Its A Wonderful Life at 8%, and Elf with 7%.

The survey also explored what makes the ideal Christmas movie. A heartwarming story ranked first at 33%, followed by family friendliness at 15% and humor at 13%. David Austin, BBFC CEO, commented that the results show heartwarming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nations Christmas viewing traditions.

As for timing, 43% of respondents consider it acceptable to start watching Christmas films in early December, while 13% begin in November. Around 8% watch holiday movies year-round. Additionally, just under one-fifth (18%) reported that visiting the cinema over Christmas is a family tradition, with 33% going before Christmas Eve and 20% on Boxing Day.

So, this holiday season, whether you watch Die Hard with a yippie-ki-yay or skip it entirely, the debate continuesbut the choice is yours to enjoy.

Author: Sophia Brooks