Ah, Christmas time is here. It’s the season of giving, when we can gather with our loved ones and share the joy and love all around. However, this is also the season of great debates: Hot chocolate or hot cider? Real or artificial Christmas tree? And, perhaps the most important question of all: Is “Die Hard” (1988) a Christmas movie? Well, in this debate, much to the judgement of many friends, I say that “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie.

I know, I can hear the booing and hissing loud and clear, but hear me out. Let’s take a look at the film itself. Yes, it takes place on Christmas Eve during an office Christmas party, and there is Christmas music playing throughout the film. I will give you that. But does that truly make it a Christmas movie? I don’t think so.

First of all, I’d like to point out that this film, while taking place during Christmas, does not focus on any Christmas-y themes. I mean, come on, there is a cold-blooded murder within the first 20 minutes of the movie, and more death, gore and violence in the ensuing hour and forty minutes. People are taken as hostages, lethal force is used by many characters and profanity is very prevalent throughout the movie (you know the line…). To me, all of this does not add up to making a nice Christmas movie for the whole family. Not only that, but Santa, the elves or even the Coca-Cola Polar Bear do not make an appearance or an impact on the film at all, which also keeps me doubtful of the alleged status of “Die Hard” as a Christmas movie. Where is the Christmas magic?

For those who are still doubtful of my argument, I would also like to take a look at the history of this film. Do you know when “Die Hard” was released in theaters in 1988? It was actually released in July of 1988, and was apparently a very popular summer blockbuster during its release. This, to me, is yet another reason why “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie. A lot of true Christmas movies are released in November-December or even October, if executives are greedy. However, this wonderful action film was originally premiered and enjoyed by audiences in 1988 in the middle of summer, which I take to mean that the film was never intended to be a Christmas movie, just a movie that takes place on Christmas.

As perhaps my strongest piece of evidence as to why “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie, I bring in Bruce Willis himself, publicly stating in 2018 that “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie. Granted, it was at his Comedy Central Roast Show, but he still said it. I am not going to argue with Bruce Willis. If the main actor for the film says it is not a Christmas movie, then I think that is ample evidence that this beloved film does not belong in the category of Christmas movies.

While I know that many people are stubborn in their Christmas traditions, I hope that this side of the argument is not completely disregarded. And to my fellow “Die-Hard”-being-a-Christmas-movie skeptics, I hope I have made you all proud. No matter what side you’re on, I think we can all agree that “Die Hard” is one of the best action films to ever grace our screens. Yippee ki yay, fellow Broncos, and happy holidays.