Should Die Hard be labelled a Christmas movie?

[FfldCntyFan]

Looking to start an open discussion on this (although being the Boneyard, who knows where this will end up).

Do you view Die Hard as a Christmas movie?

For full disclosure, I do not. My view is that it is no more of a Christmas movie than Gone With the Wind is a war movie.

I've heard many claim that it isa Christmas movie but this leads me to question why Lethal Weapon, a movie from the same time period (1987 vs 1988) and a similar genre has never been called a Christmas movie (they even took place in the same city). In all candor, I see the first installment of the Lethal Weapon film franchise as every bit as much of a Christmas movie as the first installment of the Die Hard film franchise.

If anyone has a compelling argument as to why Die Hard should be viewed as a Christmas movie (as opposed to a movie that just happens to have a Christmas party as part of the background) I would like very much to hear it.

Additionally, if anyone believes they can explain why a Christmas movie label should apply to Die Hard but not to Lethal Weapon I would very much like to hear that as well.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Unlike in Lethal Weapon, Die Hard frequently references Christmas (like when John dresses up a dead terrorist in a Santa Claus outfit with the infamous “Ho ho ho” message). It’s borderline, but Die Hard is much closer to being a Christmas movie than Lethal Weapon.

 

[blkknight1]

Yes, Christmas is central theme in Die Hard. Lethal weapon on the other hand outside of the opening scene and the fight at the end. you wouldn’t know it takes place around Christmas really.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Yes, Christmas is central theme in Die Hard. Lethal weapon on the other hand outside of the opening scene and the fight at the end. you wouldn’t know it takes place around Christmas really.

Not sure about that.

In Lethal Weapon the jumper snuck out of an office Christmas party and the final scene was Riggs showing up at Murtagh's house at Christmas dinner.

I still view each as action/cops defeat bad guys films that merely happen to occur around Christmas time but we are allowed our own opinions.

 

[Deepster]

There seems to be two roads here. Is die hard a Christmas movie? Is it more a Christmas movie than lethal weapon?

The lethal weapon angle is stupid.

And die hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s an action movie. It’s not only played during the Christmas season. You know. Like A Christmas Story. Or The Grinch.

 

[storrsroars]

And die hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s an action movie. It’s not only played during the Christmas season. You know. Like A Christmas Story. Or The Grinch.

This is the most compelling argument against being a "Christmas" movie. It's on all year long. Name an actual Christmas movie that can claim that.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The only point on Lethal Weapon is that if someone believed that Die Hard qualifies (as I stated in the initial post I do not believe it does) they should also believe that Lethal Weapon qualifies.

In both, mid to late December just happened to be the time of year when the events in both movies took place. A minor part of the background in each film, not a central part of the theme.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yes.

 

[John]

Christmas movies

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screenrant.com

 

[storrsroars]

This one probably won't be a big hit, but watched "Carry-On" last night. Like the first Die Hard, the entire movie takes place in an airport on Christmas Eve. The entire soundtrack is comprised of popular pop Christmas tunes. But I wouldn't think it a Christmas movie.

Instead of opening the film with an office Christmas party, it opens with TSA staff being told to be on their toes and try to be polite despite the oncoming poop show of an overabundance of disgruntled passengers. Pretty much the only guy who tries to keep a Christmas spirit is the lead bad guy.

 

[Chin Diesel]

This one probably won't be a big hit, but watched "Carry-On" last night. Like the first Die Hard, the entire movie takes place in an airport on Christmas Eve. The entire soundtrack is comprised of popular pop Christmas tunes. But I wouldn't think it a Christmas movie.

Instead of opening the film with an office Christmas party, it opens with TSA staff being told to be on their toes and try to be polite despite the oncoming poop show of an overabundance of disgruntled passengers. Pretty much the only guy who tries to keep a Christmas spirit is the lead bad guy.

Good call on Office Christmas Party. Very good comedy and definitely a Christmas movie.

 

[CL82]

Like the first Die Hard, the entire movie takes place in an airport on Christmas Eve

You mean the second Die Hard. The first Die Hard primarily takes place in the Nakatomi Tower (Nakatomi Plaza).

 

[storrsroars]

You mean the second Die Hard. The first Die Hard primarily takes place in the Nakatomi Tower (Nakatomi Plaza).

correct!