Die Hard

R

Released Jul 15, 1988

2 hr. 11 min.

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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for Die Hard: Trailer 1

List

94%

89 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him.

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Critics Consensus

Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic.

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Mike B

The greatest Christmas Movie/Not Christmas Movie of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/23

Full Review

David

Great to see this on the big screen!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/23

Full Review

Kevin

The best Christmas movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

Marlo V

Born in the 80s… of course this was already on VHS, then dvd. Etc just avail to watch at home no longer in theaters. First time seeing it re-released and it was just much great!! Louder and meaner! And… always a great Christmas movie re-released at the right time this Holidays 2023.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

Eddie

As slick and well crafted as ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

Paul

DieHard is one of the best movies ever made. Glad to be able to see it on the big screen as I was to young the first time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

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John McTiernan

Director

Bruce Willis

Detective John McClane

Alan Rickman

Hans Gruber

Bonnie Bedelia

Holly Gennero McClane

Reginald VelJohnson

Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov

Karl

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Die Hard: Trailer 1

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Die Hard 30th Anniversary (1988) Presented by TCM: Fathom Events Trailer

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

That’s right, I’m saying it, loudly and proudly, since John McTiernan’s 1988 action classic isn’t just set at Christmastime—it embodies the very spirit of the holiday.

Dec 5, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It's a glorious scene-stealer for Alan Rickman, though it's a credit to Willis's cheeky charisma that his scene is not in fact stolen.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 29, 2018

Full Review

Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Die Hard is film's equivalent of a terrorist attack on your senses, but Willis' intensity and presence push it into guilty pleasure territory.

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Nestor Bentancor

Nestor Cine Desde Hollywood

Nothing lasts forever... except for this cinematic party that keeps welcoming us to one of the best action and christmas movies ever. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

One of the most divisive holiday classics, the argument on whether John McTiernan's Die Hard is a Christmas movie, finds its way to the forefront every year. For myself, the truth is indisputable. Die Hard is a Christmas film - no, a Christmas classic.

Jan 12, 2024

Full Review

David Hogan

hoganreviews.co.uk

To say Die Hard still holds up is an understatement: charismatic protagonist and antagonist, great action set pieces, well paced and a top class finale. It’s no wonder so many other films and TV series continue to “do a Die Hard”, it’s still hard to top.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 24, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him.

Director: John McTiernan
Executive Producer: Charles Gordon
Screenwriter: Roderick Thorp, Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Gordon Company
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1988, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.3M
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: 70mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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