1. Die Hard (1988)
Well, here’s a turn up for the books.
In the last few years, the summer blockbuster movie Die Hard has become a favourite Christmas movie for many film lovers who want to “go against the system” because the movie is set on Christmas Eve. It’s the Rage Against the Machine of Christmas movies.
Before going into its festive frolics, it should be noted that Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made and is well-loved for a reason. Bruce Willis (again, off the rails somewhat) is superb and Alan Rickman is easily one of the greatest villains to grace the silver screen. The set pieces rule, the explosions rule and the whole movie rules. Yippee-ki-yay.
But, is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? Perhaps people love it because it portrays a true Christmas message about being with your family for the Holidays and stopping at nothing (even fighting terrorists) to do so. Our own Martin Deer wrote a piece about this very topic a few years ago. With that said, this author also wrote a counter piece to it last year.
So, is Die Hard a Christmas movie – or a movie set at Christmas? What’s the difference? Is there really one? Regardless, it’s the official greatest Christmas movie of all-time according to Flickering Myth. I suppose the limo driver is listening to Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” at one point…
You can listen to the Flickering Myth Podcast’s thoughts on the Top 10 Christmas movies using the player below, which has an in-depth discussion of Die Hard as the number one choice. And click through to the next page to see the movies that didn’t quite make it into the Top 10 as well as our own personal picks.
Originally published December 24, 2014. Updated July 3, 2023.
