If you take Christmas out of home alone the movie doesn’t happen. You take Christmas out of Die Hard it still happens. Home Alone on st Patrick’s day doesn’t make sense but it would work for die hard. That’s my theory (probably other people’s theories too) on why die hard is not a Christmas movie.
Disagree on Die Hard, the heist still happens but there's no John McClane without the Christmas party bringing him there. So the movie we saw doesn't really occur.
I think Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but you could easily come up with another reason to bring McClane there without the party. Whereas Home Alone logic barely works with Christmas as it is, it wouldn’t work at all without it.
I think as someone else said, they also had to make sure other neighbors on the street were also gone so as to not arouse suspicion (the Wet Bandits I mean) and also so that folks and neighbors could be explained as away for Christmas vs something like a summer holiday where more folks might be around to immediately fetch Kevin.
We just watched it today so it's very fresh. The suspension of disbelief bar for that one is extremely high though. I think just about every single thing before they get to the airport and take off is entirely in service to getting Kevin isolated and the rest of the family in such a state that he's completely forgotten about until it's too late. And it's hard for them to get back for a few days because it's Christmas and flights are tough to get.
It's a good movie though, but I would also kind of agree that without Christmas it doesn't work as well.
Also, a minor minor thing but just something I thought of today while watching - typically US > EU flights normally start late at night. It also is strange they had to catch a 9AM flight to get to Paris as arrival time from Chicago would probably be something like 2-3AM in Paris given their departure time which is unusual. Had it followed normal convention the movie also probably wouldn't have happened given that they all could've woken up and gotten to the airport at a reasonable 2-3PM to catch their flight and land in Paris at 8AM as is typical.
Then it could've happened on any major holiday. Honestly, it kinda makes less sense that he would be there for Christmas, as it can be pretty hard for cops to take time off on holidays. IDK about NYPD, but a lot of districts use seniority for time off. I don't think he was old enough to get Christmas off.
However, it's a Christmas movie; I just think the argument of "does it have to happen on Christmas" is dumb. People just get butt hurt when somebody says Die Hard is their favorite Christmas movie and make dumb arguments to say it isn't.
That's how I see it too. If the plot absolutely hinges on being on Christmas day, its a Christmas movie. If just so happens to take place on it and it can work on another day more or less the same, its not a Christmas movie
No, it's about Christmas. He asks Santa and Jesus for his family back. He puts up Christmas decorations without his family. His family leaves for a Christmas trip.
In Die Hard, Christmas doesn't reinforce the theme or play a significant part. But in Home Alone, they chose to set the movie during the Christmas holidays to reinforce the fact that he is missing his family, because you are supposed to be with family on Christmas, and the entire plot occurs because of Christmas.
I have never met a single person who thought Home Alone was not a holiday movie. Bruce Willis himself said that Die Hard was not a holiday movie. You can disagree with either of those opinions, but you need to rewatch Home Alone and Die Hard if you think Christmas plays an equal part in them.
As I mentioned up in another thread as well, I'd disagree with the assessment of Die Hard not being a Christmas movie.
Without Christmas, the heist can't occur because all the heads of the company can't be used to get the vault open. They did have a backup plan but their first revolves around using the heads of the company to try to get it open first. If I recall I thought some were visiting from overseas but not 100% sure.
And also without the Christmas season there's no way to get McClane there who is using Christmas as a pretext to see his estranged family. So he gets invited to the party as well. Without Christmas you can't get either condition to trigger and then there's no movie.
It's fine to think Die Hard is a Christmas movie. My point was that Christmas is not nearly as central or as present in Die Hard as it is in Home Alone, so it makes no sense to say that if you think Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, then Home Alone isn't one either.
I would definitely agree it's not as present, I guess but the whole plot necessitates that Christmas happen in both movies. Without chrimbus, neither movie really works.
I have two qualifications to a Christmas movie, 1. The plot must be related to Christmas and 2. The plot must happen because of Christmas. Die hard fits both, the heist can only happen because of Christmas and John Mclane is only in town because of Christmas. The true fake Christmas movie is it’s a wonderful life, it fits neither he gets magic angel help not because of Christmas and the plot has nothing to do with Christmas.
You know what... That's a fair enough assessment and criteria. Everyone let their guard down because of it being Christmas and they were having their Christmas party after hours. Which means skeleton crew was there working and they'd be drunk. There was no better time for the heist. Plus he was there to try and reconcile and using the holiday as a scapegoat for help. Well argued.
I like this standard! By this standard Batman Returns with Michael Keaton is a Christmas movie for the same reasons.
The Red Triangle Circus Gang launches their first attack during Gotham City's annual tree lighting ceremony, and the Penguin's grand introduction involves him emerging from a giant Christmas present.
Christmas stories often focus on family and belonging. Batman Returns explores the "holiday blues" through three lonely orphans. Bruce Wayne, Oswald Cobblepot, and Selina Kyle who are all isolated during a season that mandates togetherness.
The romance and eventual identity reveal between Bruce and Selina is even framed by mistletoe. They first kiss under it, and later, their mutual realization of each other's secret identities is triggered by a line about mistletoe being "deadly if you eat it".
Then there’s other little things like Max Shreck, serves as a "Scrooge-like" figure, prioritizing corporate greed over the holiday spirit and The movie concludes on Christmas Eve, with Bruce Wayne wishing Alfred a Merry Christmas before finding a stray cat—a small "gift" in his otherwise solitary life.
That’s not to mention that Christmas is foundational to Die Hard’s Visual aesthetic and soundtrack. The most memorable song from the movie is certainly Christmas in Hollis.
I have different qualifications. 1.) the theme has to be specifically christmassy. 2.) the plot must only be able to happen because of Christmas and not some other holiday.
Die hards themes are not christmassy and it could just as easily taken place on new years, thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day for that matter and made about as much sense. So it’s not a Christmas movie because Christmas is used only as a back drop.
I have a compromise that will enrage everyone in this discourse equally: it's a movie about a disaffected white boy with a severely dysfunctional family dynamic being chased around a tower by Alan Rickman way after he was supposed to be asleep, and is therefore a Harry Potter movie.
My definition for a Christmas movie is can the movie happen without Christmas.
Die Hard the only reason it happens is because it's Christmas. End of year work christmas party. MCclane is only there because it's Christmas and to see his family.
That's the test that Lethal Weapon fails, though the film's themes revolving around family and the use of Christmas imagery and music make me want to count it anyways.
Lethal Weapon uses Christmas music, starts in a Christmas tree lot, ends at a family Christmas Party, deals with loneliness and seasonal depression around the holidays and lost loved ones and have Christmas themes throughout.
Could it work without it being Christmas? Maybe but it would be a different movie like a dozen other generic cop movies. And this one isn’t.
I mean It’s a Wonderful Life doesn’t have to take place at Christmas by that reckoning. It has far fewer holiday themes.
I would argue Christmas is the only American holiday that would bring you to your estranged wife’s office party on the other side of the country. You’re telling me somebody is doing that for thanksgiving or Valentine’s day? nah
Y’all they addressed this all the way back in Die Hard 2. The last line of the movie is “what the hell, it’s Christmas!” before playing Christmas music and rolling the credits.
The soundtrack seems to think so, given the presence of songs like “Run Run Rudolph”, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and that bitchin’ rendition of “Ring Christmas Bells”.
“My Favorite Things” from Sound of Music is often heard around Christmas time. Die Hard is more of a Christmas movie than that song is a Christmas song.
Jingle bells are prominently featured in the movie’s soundtrack
Lots of references to winter and Christmas (the paper falling like snow, the ho-ho-ho scene, Theo referencing christmas stories, Carl singing Christmas songs, etc.)
Personal story of Bruce and Holly’s marriage and love life being a disaster and then rekindled by the end of the film
I only ever watch it during Christmastime and I still love it, it’s a Christmas movie to me.
The “Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie” gotta be the most played out unfunny boomer joke. It’s always your unfunniest coworker who brings it up like it’s their original thought.
Thanks for providing a source!
(Looks at Star Wars holiday special)
Die hard: bullshit!
Exactly! If Die Hard doesn’t count, then half of December classics should be stripped of their Christmas badges too. 😂
Home alone as well, technically it’s centered around Christmas and its meaning is about family and love not Christmas. Much like die hard
If you take Christmas out of home alone the movie doesn’t happen. You take Christmas out of Die Hard it still happens. Home Alone on st Patrick’s day doesn’t make sense but it would work for die hard. That’s my theory (probably other people’s theories too) on why die hard is not a Christmas movie.
Disagree on Die Hard, the heist still happens but there's no John McClane without the Christmas party bringing him there. So the movie we saw doesn't really occur.
I think Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but you could easily come up with another reason to bring McClane there without the party. Whereas Home Alone logic barely works with Christmas as it is, it wouldn’t work at all without it.
Why not Home Alone?
Couldn't you just have the family off/out of the house in Spring Break or Thanksgivings or Summer Holiday? What makes it have to be Christmas?
I think as someone else said, they also had to make sure other neighbors on the street were also gone so as to not arouse suspicion (the Wet Bandits I mean) and also so that folks and neighbors could be explained as away for Christmas vs something like a summer holiday where more folks might be around to immediately fetch Kevin.
We just watched it today so it's very fresh. The suspension of disbelief bar for that one is extremely high though. I think just about every single thing before they get to the airport and take off is entirely in service to getting Kevin isolated and the rest of the family in such a state that he's completely forgotten about until it's too late. And it's hard for them to get back for a few days because it's Christmas and flights are tough to get.
It's a good movie though, but I would also kind of agree that without Christmas it doesn't work as well.
Also, a minor minor thing but just something I thought of today while watching - typically US > EU flights normally start late at night. It also is strange they had to catch a 9AM flight to get to Paris as arrival time from Chicago would probably be something like 2-3AM in Paris given their departure time which is unusual. Had it followed normal convention the movie also probably wouldn't have happened given that they all could've woken up and gotten to the airport at a reasonable 2-3PM to catch their flight and land in Paris at 8AM as is typical.
Then it could've happened on any major holiday. Honestly, it kinda makes less sense that he would be there for Christmas, as it can be pretty hard for cops to take time off on holidays. IDK about NYPD, but a lot of districts use seniority for time off. I don't think he was old enough to get Christmas off.
However, it's a Christmas movie; I just think the argument of "does it have to happen on Christmas" is dumb. People just get butt hurt when somebody says Die Hard is their favorite Christmas movie and make dumb arguments to say it isn't.
I would argue that any trip(not on Christmas) could have replaced Home Alone.
A family leaving for Golden Week in Japan leaving their shota to fend for themselves from the Yakuza, for example.
That's how I see it too. If the plot absolutely hinges on being on Christmas day, its a Christmas movie. If just so happens to take place on it and it can work on another day more or less the same, its not a Christmas movie
You could totally set Home Alone in August vacation season and it work just as well. It does not need Christmas
No, it's about Christmas. He asks Santa and Jesus for his family back. He puts up Christmas decorations without his family. His family leaves for a Christmas trip.
In Die Hard, Christmas doesn't reinforce the theme or play a significant part. But in Home Alone, they chose to set the movie during the Christmas holidays to reinforce the fact that he is missing his family, because you are supposed to be with family on Christmas, and the entire plot occurs because of Christmas.
I have never met a single person who thought Home Alone was not a holiday movie. Bruce Willis himself said that Die Hard was not a holiday movie. You can disagree with either of those opinions, but you need to rewatch Home Alone and Die Hard if you think Christmas plays an equal part in them.
Tbf I haven’t watched the movie in a while
As I mentioned up in another thread as well, I'd disagree with the assessment of Die Hard not being a Christmas movie.
Without Christmas, the heist can't occur because all the heads of the company can't be used to get the vault open. They did have a backup plan but their first revolves around using the heads of the company to try to get it open first. If I recall I thought some were visiting from overseas but not 100% sure.
And also without the Christmas season there's no way to get McClane there who is using Christmas as a pretext to see his estranged family. So he gets invited to the party as well. Without Christmas you can't get either condition to trigger and then there's no movie.
It's fine to think Die Hard is a Christmas movie. My point was that Christmas is not nearly as central or as present in Die Hard as it is in Home Alone, so it makes no sense to say that if you think Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, then Home Alone isn't one either.
I would definitely agree it's not as present, I guess but the whole plot necessitates that Christmas happen in both movies. Without chrimbus, neither movie really works.
Wait Home alone is considered to be a Christmas movie? 😂
Yippee-ki-yay, Star Wars is definitely not a Christmas movie 😂
They were talking about the infamous Star Wars Christmas Special. Look it up. It's awful.
It could be a New Year's Eve movie, though, if you sync the Death Star blowing up to the ball drop.
Im sorry Muppet Christmas Carol is the ‘Mace Windu of the Jedi Christmas Council’ and it is heresy to suggest otherwise
Who would Yoda be?
Probably It's a Wonderful Life or White Christmas. Much older and wiser and a little bit too concerned with tradition.
Yoda is clearly Kermit.
It's not easy being green
I have two qualifications to a Christmas movie, 1. The plot must be related to Christmas and 2. The plot must happen because of Christmas. Die hard fits both, the heist can only happen because of Christmas and John Mclane is only in town because of Christmas. The true fake Christmas movie is it’s a wonderful life, it fits neither he gets magic angel help not because of Christmas and the plot has nothing to do with Christmas.
You know what... That's a fair enough assessment and criteria. Everyone let their guard down because of it being Christmas and they were having their Christmas party after hours. Which means skeleton crew was there working and they'd be drunk. There was no better time for the heist. Plus he was there to try and reconcile and using the holiday as a scapegoat for help. Well argued.
If you take the Christmas aspect out of Die Hard, the movie never happens. The plot falls apart. Therefore, Christmas movie.
I like this standard! By this standard Batman Returns with Michael Keaton is a Christmas movie for the same reasons.
The Red Triangle Circus Gang launches their first attack during Gotham City's annual tree lighting ceremony, and the Penguin's grand introduction involves him emerging from a giant Christmas present.
Christmas stories often focus on family and belonging. Batman Returns explores the "holiday blues" through three lonely orphans. Bruce Wayne, Oswald Cobblepot, and Selina Kyle who are all isolated during a season that mandates togetherness.
The romance and eventual identity reveal between Bruce and Selina is even framed by mistletoe. They first kiss under it, and later, their mutual realization of each other's secret identities is triggered by a line about mistletoe being "deadly if you eat it".
Then there’s other little things like Max Shreck, serves as a "Scrooge-like" figure, prioritizing corporate greed over the holiday spirit and The movie concludes on Christmas Eve, with Bruce Wayne wishing Alfred a Merry Christmas before finding a stray cat—a small "gift" in his otherwise solitary life.
That’s not to mention that Christmas is foundational to Die Hard’s Visual aesthetic and soundtrack. The most memorable song from the movie is certainly Christmas in Hollis.
Interesting, and I see your point. Like wonderful life could've happened on the dudes own bday and it'll still make sense.
I have different qualifications. 1.) the theme has to be specifically christmassy. 2.) the plot must only be able to happen because of Christmas and not some other holiday.
Die hards themes are not christmassy and it could just as easily taken place on new years, thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day for that matter and made about as much sense. So it’s not a Christmas movie because Christmas is used only as a back drop.
But the building wouldn’t have been empty on Valentine’s Day and there wouldn’t have been a company thanksgiving party for them to take hostage.
I agree it might not be classically Christmassy but plenty of Christmas movies aren’t classically christmassy.
I have different qualifications, vibes.
Great unpopular opinion, one I agree with but would surely upset a lot of people who love It’s a Wonderful Life.
Now I have a rapid repeating blaster. Ho Ho Ho
Why is his face AI'ified?
I have a compromise that will enrage everyone in this discourse equally: it's a movie about a disaffected white boy with a severely dysfunctional family dynamic being chased around a tower by Alan Rickman way after he was supposed to be asleep, and is therefore a Harry Potter movie.
What about LotR?
https://preview.redd.it/3woo1h5sk07g1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f1f41ba2f693b3de5ccf01b9b234990b7943dada
It also has Elves and a Magic Gift-Giver!
To be fair, Bruce Willis did say it isn't a Christmas movie
Western civilization decided for him. It is in fact a Christmas movie. 😂
Also, Reginald VelJohnson agreed it IS a Christmas movie, and I think I trust his opinion more.
Then why does my 25th anniversary dvd have a Christmas sweater as the case cover?
Christmas tree appearance to runtime ratio needs to be established.
Bruce Willis has never seen such bullshit since he does not remember it....Or really anything.
All of the mid 40's dads are gonna be very upset
https://preview.redd.it/ekt0fy39y17g1.jpeg?width=718&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b2ec8dc36bbda4e37af383b7597c58b99c6e13c
Iron Man 3 and Batman Returns also not Christmas movies.
My definition for a Christmas movie is can the movie happen without Christmas.
Die Hard the only reason it happens is because it's Christmas. End of year work christmas party. MCclane is only there because it's Christmas and to see his family.
Check mate.
That's the test that Lethal Weapon fails, though the film's themes revolving around family and the use of Christmas imagery and music make me want to count it anyways.
Lethal Weapon uses Christmas music, starts in a Christmas tree lot, ends at a family Christmas Party, deals with loneliness and seasonal depression around the holidays and lost loved ones and have Christmas themes throughout.
Could it work without it being Christmas? Maybe but it would be a different movie like a dozen other generic cop movies. And this one isn’t.
I mean It’s a Wonderful Life doesn’t have to take place at Christmas by that reckoning. It has far fewer holiday themes.
I've never considered it a Christmas movie but I guess I never thought about it. Maybe we need to add some new rules.
What about Home Alone? The story could happen over the summer holidays with Kevin being left behind by accident
I don't really consider home alone 2 a Christmas movie.
Die hard could have been set as a 4th of July movie but it wasn't.
I would argue Christmas is the only American holiday that would bring you to your estranged wife’s office party on the other side of the country. You’re telling me somebody is doing that for thanksgiving or Valentine’s day? nah
Thanksgiving yes. Valentines doubtful.
Kids change the equation. Didnt he go there to see his wife and kids?. Who knows where the relationship was as well.
Yeah he went out to see his kids, which he might do for Thanksgiving. But to go to an office party? That’s Christmas only and I’ll die on that hill.
New Year’s party man. He wants a new beginning for the relationship. New years actually thematically makes more sense
I can't think of ever having a office party for Thanksgiving either. Christmas or news years is the only office parties I've ever had.
Checkmate. It's a Christmas movie.
Were you devils advocating just to strengthen our shared claim that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie?
After reading all this I’m wondering if it would be better as a Labor day weekend movie.
It could have just as easily happened on thanksgiving or new years. Christmas is just a background for die hard to it’s not a Christmas movie
So your point is instead of a Christmas movie it could have been a Thanksgiving or new year movie?
Well they chose a Christmas movie in this case. Hohoho I got a machine gun is too good
I like that logic - but then you could just insert any holiday or event so I’m still not completely sold.
No matter how we all feel it's at minimum christmas adjacent.
Which is why Die Hard 2 is also a Christmas Movie
I mean Iron Man 3 counts then. The bombings and other things were “Mandarin”’s Christmas presents for the US and president in particular
I don't even remember it. Wasn't die hard 1 night on Christmas eve? Is iron man a extended time period?
The final fight is also on Eve
I'd have to watch it again. It probably is a Christmas movie from what I just googled.
Iron Man 3 is new to me but I'll fight you on Batman Returns
Hey - it’s a horror movie with a Christmas theme
It's an action movie with a Christmas theme. That's not horror. With that logic, A nightmare before Christmas isn't a Christmas movie.
That’s a Halloween movie edit (I’m also fine with however anyone wants to view their movies - its just fun to talk about).
What about Gremlins?
Is Nosferatu 2024 a Christmas movie?
Uh... I'm a big vajayjay. I don't do horror movies. They're scary
Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
Hawkeye is a Christmas show.
Batman Arkham Origins is a Christmas game
Y’all they addressed this all the way back in Die Hard 2. The last line of the movie is “what the hell, it’s Christmas!” before playing Christmas music and rolling the credits.
made this one a few years ago
Why does AI Bruce willis have victory channel alien guy's hairdo?
He's running around a tower hiding from Alan Rickman. Die Hard is as much a Harry Potter movie as a Christmas movie.
And Harry Potter is as much of a Christmas movie as Die Hard.
Clanker slop
Die Hard is a better Christmas movie than Elf
If Die Hard isn't a Christmas movie then neither is Home Alone.
2 is but not 1
Well yeah, are there people considering home alone as a Christmas movie?
The soundtrack seems to think so, given the presence of songs like “Run Run Rudolph”, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and that bitchin’ rendition of “Ring Christmas Bells”.
Little shit stick talking to and OG like that needs to be slapped in the mouth.
“It isn’t fair”
Harry Potter is not a Christmas movie. I don't care that every movie has a Christmas scene, it's not a Christmas movie
Is that the Grinch's head at the bottom right corner?
Die Hard was a summer blockbuster
I’m curious to know who Grandmaster of the council would be in this scenario.
https://preview.redd.it/9dow09qha57g1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25dd53242a0a86fc803c68560446f984ae539336
Fellowship left Rivendell on December 25th
Now I have a Lightsaber. Ho, ho, ho
I looked up best Christmas movies and it was ranked third on the first list I saw
“My Favorite Things” from Sound of Music is often heard around Christmas time. Die Hard is more of a Christmas movie than that song is a Christmas song.
Its usually a cover though.
Frank Sinatra singing My Favorite Things doesn’t suddenly make it a Christmas song though.
Correction: Tony Bennett
As it should be
It is literally the quintessential Christmas movie. It is the Christmas movie all others are measured by.
Well the writer says it is.
Takes place on Christmas
The wife’s name is Holly
Jingle bells are prominently featured in the movie’s soundtrack
Lots of references to winter and Christmas (the paper falling like snow, the ho-ho-ho scene, Theo referencing christmas stories, Carl singing Christmas songs, etc.)
Personal story of Bruce and Holly’s marriage and love life being a disaster and then rekindled by the end of the film
I only ever watch it during Christmastime and I still love it, it’s a Christmas movie to me.
Elf doesn't even count as a Christmas movie so it absolutely shouldn't be mace windu
The “Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie” gotta be the most played out unfunny boomer joke. It’s always your unfunniest coworker who brings it up like it’s their original thought.