Die Hard

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2:33

Die Hard

R

1988

2h 12m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

90 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

12/05/2022

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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

11/29/2018

5/5

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.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

04/27/2018

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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

2d

5/5

'...a perfect summer blockbuster...John McTiernan's classic thriller Die Hard is still one of the great films about American spirit and exceptionalism...it's not just for for Christmas...'

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David Elliott

Copley News Service

Dec 13

It's stupid yet engrossingly directed for jolts by John McTiernan.

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

12/07/2024

One of the best Christmas movies ever made. Yes Christmas movies...

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Rex Recker

Dec 4

What a joy ride of a movie. Willis and Rickman are priceless.

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Zach D.

12/26/2024

Amazing theater, amazing Christmas watch.

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Matt Y

12/14/2024

It’s a Christmas movie. And Clay, Bill Clay.

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Matthew P

11/19/2024

Yippie kai aye m efers.

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MatthewKaneMusic.com

11/10/2024

Best Christmas movie ever! so glad I got to see it in the theaters

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Mike B

12/20/2023

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

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John McTiernan

Director

Bruce Willis

John McClane

Alan Rickman

Hans Gruber

Bonnie Bedelia

Holly Gennero McClane

Reginald VelJohnson

Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov

Karl

Die Hard 2

68%

70%

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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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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
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Roderick Thorp, Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Gordon Company, Silver Pictures
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
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: 70mm, Scope (2.35:1)