Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? It's a heated movie debate that emerges every year around this time of year and that could be why the re-release of the film cracked the box office top ten over the weekend as we get closer to the big day.
Die Hard pulled in an estimated $189,000 over the weekend which put it right above the $180,000 made by Tenet to break into the top ten box office chart. Considering that Die Hard originally grossed $141 million worldwide when it was released back in 1988, this weekend is a drop in the bucket but it's still a sign that moviegoers will go check out the classics during a pretty unprecedented time for moviegoing. There is a bit of comfort watching a film like Die Hard because brings about a lot of memories for many movie fans and you get to shut your brain off for a bit and just enjoy some of the nostalgia while forgetting about the problems of the world, even if it's only for a little bit.
The best part about Die Hard making any news around this time is that it does reignite the argument about whether or not the film is actually a Christmas movie. Die Hard does take place around Christmas but it's not really about Christmas, which tends to be the sticking point for any when they want to shoot down its position as a Christmas movie. The same argument can be made about Batman Returns which also takes place during Christmas but definitely isn't a Christmas movie. I think a lot of these projects have become offbeat and unconventional choices to watch around the holidays which has honestly made them a part of Christmas viewing alongside the likes of Home Alone or Christmas Vacation.
The fact that the studio re-released the film in the midst of the holiday season means that they are aware that many view it as a Christmas film and they saw an opportunity to make a quick buck on a classic title since this is basically the new normal as they adjust to changing box office patterns. The film cracking the box office top ten over the weekend won't end the Die Hard Christmas debate but it's a fun movie talk that most of us need as 2020 thankfully comes to a close very soon.
Die Hard features, Bruce Willis, as John McClane, a New York City policeman who tries to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. The film also stars Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, and Paul Gleason. Die Hard was followed by several sequels including Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard, and A Good Day to Die Hard. To date, the franchise has earned more than $1.4 billion at the worldwide box office.
Do YOU think Die Hard is a Christmas movie?