Die Hard

Play trailer

2:33

Die Hard

R

Released Jul 15, 1988

2h 11m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

89 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

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

Dec 7, 2024

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

Read all reviews

Zach D.

Amazing theater, amazing Christmas watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

Full Review

Matt Y

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

Full Review

Matthew P

Yippie kai aye m efers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

Full Review

MatthewKaneMusic.com

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Die Hard 2

69%

70%

Die Hard 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Die Hard 2

Lethal Weapon

81%

86%

Lethal Weapon

Watchlist

Lethal Weapon 2

82%

78%

Lethal Weapon 2

Watchlist

Road House

44%

67%

Road House

Watchlist

Lethal Weapon 3

60%

61%

Lethal Weapon 3

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Asking Strangers What's The Best Movie to Watch During the Holidays

6:07

Die Hard: Trailer 1

2:33

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

0:30

View more videos

View more photos

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 11m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: 70mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now