Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Day 14: Die Hard

Die Hard movie scene with Bruce WillisHow about some good ole’ fashioned terrorism with our Christmas cheer? Die Hard is the No. 12 movie in Disc Dish‘s countdown of the best Christmas movies.

The 1988 film that made Bruce Willis (The Expendables) a bonafide action movie star introduces him as Officer John McClain, a New York City cop who has troubles with his wife (Bonnie Bedelia of Parenthood), but no trouble taking down a group of thieves with big guns and foreign accents. Die Hard pits Willis against the always-fun-to-watch Alan Rickman (Harry Potter movies), who’s leading a gang of well-dressed terrorists out for a quick payday when they hold up a Los Angeles office building.

And why, you might ask, is this on a Christmas movie list? All the action takes place during a Christmas office party.

“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except … four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.”

“Yipee-ki-yay, mother…”

The movie grossed $80.7 million when it ran in theaters, a tidy sum back in 1988, and was nominated for four Academy Awards: sound effects editing, visual effects, film editing and sound. Plus, the film spawned three sequels: Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990), Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) and Live Free or Die Hard (2007).

The original Die Hard is available on DVD and on Blu-ray in the Die Hard Collection from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. The movie also is available in a four-movie set on DVD, Die Hard: The Ultimate Collection.

Check out the rest of the Disc Dish Christmas Movie Advent Calendar.

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.