Is Die Hard A Christmas Movie?

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One debate that always surrounds the holiday season is what constitutes a Christmas movie. Many people contend that as long as a movie takes place in December it counts while others think that it depends on the content and message of the movie. One movie that gets wrapped up in the argument the most is the movie Die Hard.

Die Hard is a movie about a man, John, who wants to spend the holidays with his estranged wife. He goes to a Christmas party at his office that he was not invited to. Unbeknownst to the party goers, there are thieves planning on crashing the party. The thieves have everything planned out and attack all the known guests. However, since they didn’t know that John was going to be there, he was able to track them down and pick them off one by one.

The movie is usually classified as an action; however, a lot of people, like senior Madilyn Ray, contend that it’s a Christmas movie because of the fact that it is set at Christmas time which is vital to the story. If the story took place at a different time, there would be no reason for everyone to be in the office after-hours. Also, the central plot of him just wanting to get home alive would be weakened.

“It’s a Christmas movie because it takes place at Christmas time,” Ray argued.

Some, like senior Colin Anderson, argue that the plot only works because it is taking place at Christmas and it mentions popular Christmas things throughout the movie. 

“Everyone agrees that “Jingle Bells” is a Christmas song, yet the words Christmas, December, or Santa are never mentioned. However, in Die Hard the main setting is at a Christmas party and they make allusions to popular Christmas phrases many times throughout the movie,” Anderson points out

Others, like junior Matt Matisse, believe that while it may be a good movie, it is not a Christmas movie. 

“Although the movie takes place during the Christmas season, it doesn’t really have a Christmas message or plot. It is a good movie though,” Matisse says.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide for yourself. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?