Every genre of film is open to interpretation, and there are almost unlimited spins that can be put on action pics, thrillers, comedies and dramas. However, some people seem to have an issue with Christmas movies in particular deviating from the standard tropes that are all about family, friendship and the warm and fuzzy feelings typically associated with the festive season.
On an annual basis, the debate about what really constitutes a Christmas flick rears its head, with Die Hard often at the center of the conversation. Shane Black has a lot to answer for as well, though, with Lethal Weapon, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3 all relying on holiday iconography, while there’s also the likes of Gremlins, Batman Returns and others to take into consideration, with Mel Gibson’s Fatman the latest alternative offering to stake a claim as a Yuletide favorite.
We typically have to wait until December until people start arguing among themselves about whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but the debate has started earlier than usual this year and you can check out just some of the comments flying around Twitter down below.
Itβs that time of the year again that I will die on the hill of Die Hard is a Christmas movie! pic.twitter.com/rryOmqBO4X
— Caffeine & Chaos (@Mrs_Reader_) November 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/callmeIndiana/status/1327309711926906880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1327309711926906880%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmovies%2Fnews%2Fdie-hard-christmas-movie-debate-fans-social-media-reactions%2F
Anyone who says Die Hard isnβt a Christmas movie has PhD in being boring. I watch it every year, along with Batman Returns and Iron Man 3. pic.twitter.com/BFv3okPpzU
— dylan cole black (@dylancoleblack) November 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/ThatEricAlper/status/1327316307251965954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1327316307251965954%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmovies%2Fnews%2Fdie-hard-christmas-movie-debate-fans-social-media-reactions%2F
https://twitter.com/AW_Ursa/status/1327302480086978560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1327302480086978560%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmovies%2Fnews%2Fdie-hard-christmas-movie-debate-fans-social-media-reactions%2F
If Die Hard isn't a Christmas movie, why is this the Christmas card I send everyone? pic.twitter.com/ws2b0qq8bR
— Michael B. Swordin' (@LordOfSword94) November 13, 2020
If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then so is Gremlins.
I mean, for Christ's sake, Gizmo was a Christmas present for Billy !!! pic.twitter.com/BZO8uMWa33
— πΌππππππ πΊπππππππ (@CaptainQuint) November 13, 2020
When a film is set during Christmas, is full of Christmas decorations and music, has a Main Character whose journey is traveling to see family… then itβs a Christmas Movie. Die Hard 1 & 2, and most Shane Black movies count. I donβt care when it released- it was all intentional. pic.twitter.com/elogv7DMiP
— Zeyne Guzeldereli (@ZGooze) November 13, 2020
It seems incredible to think that this argument has raged on for years, when Die Hard is clearly a Christmas film. Surely the genre is dictated by having the festive celebrations at the heart of the story, and if it wasn’t for Nakatomi Plaza’s annual party, then there would be no reason for John McClane to be there in the first place. That’s without mentioning all of the direct references to Christmas via the music and dialogue, along with the typically Christmassy happy ending that sees a family reunited to spend the holidays together.