This movie doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but everyone thinks it's the perfect Christmas movie

When you think of Christmas movies, stories of magical reindeer, families gathered by the fire, and a lovable Santa Claus probably come to mind. But for many movie fans, Die Hard (1988) —yes, the action classic starring Bruce Willis— embodies the spirit of Christmas in a unique and, in its own way, perfect manner.

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Let’s see, the justification is clear: the story takes place on Christmas Eve, when John McClane, a New York police officer, arrives in Los Angeles to reconcile with his wife at her office’s Christmas party, held in the imposing Nakatomi Plaza building. But what seemed like a simple family visit quickly turns into an epic battle when a group of terrorists, led by the charismatic Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), takes the building hostage.

Thrilling Christmas

Although Die Hard doesn’t have much more justification as a Christmas movie than its context, its spirit is in every frame of the film: from the festive music that appears at key moments to details like a corpse “dressed up” with the message “Now I have a machine gun! Ho-ho-ho”. Thus, the mix of action with an unleashed Willis and the ironic use of Christmas elements have made it a tradition for many during the holidays.

The debate over whether it is truly a Christmas movie continues to divide viewers, but the answer seems simple: the spirit of Christmas, with its struggle for love, family, and triumph over adversity, is present throughout. It may not be a conventional Christmas, but Die Hard shows that sometimes the perfect gift comes with explosions, shootouts, and an unforgettable phrase to repeat every holiday season: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.”