Die Hard 2

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2:38

Die Hard 2

R

Released Jul 4, 1990

2h 4m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A year after his heroics in L.A, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is mixed up in another terrorist plot, this time at Washington Dulles International Airport, where he is waiting for his wife (Bonnie Bedelia). That same night, South American politico and drug profiteer Ramon Esperanza (Franco Nero) is arriving in U.S. custody. McClane takes action when a treasonous ex-colonel (William Sadler) seizes control of the airport, threatening to crash every inbound flight unless Esperanza is freed.

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Critics Consensus

It lacks the fresh thrills of its predecessor, but Die Hard 2 still works as an over-the-top -- and reasonably taut -- big-budget sequel, with plenty of set pieces to paper over the plot deficiencies.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

It’s a solid sequel, bigger in spectacle but not the equal of the first film.

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The filmmakers know the audience is challenging them to top themselves, and they've risen to the bait. Harlin and company build suspense the old-fashioned way. They earn it.

Feb 6, 2018

Full Review

Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

This is the most cheerfully preposterous film of a jaw-dropping summer, which is not to say it's not fun, it's simply orchestrated Looney Tunes.

Apr 3, 2015

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In every way that Die Hard was original and something new, Die Hard 2 fails to honor that by resigning to more of the same.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 6, 2024

Full Review

David Hogan

hoganreviews.co.uk

Plays it very safe with the plot by copying a lot of what made the first work but sadly the villains of the piece are far, far less interesting. It does have some fun scenes and Bruce Willis is still on fine form so still worth a watch though...

Rated: 4/5

Dec 26, 2022

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Die Hard 2 is ubiquitous and sensationally entertaining. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 1, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

35 years old and director Renny Harlin knows how to deliver the summer thrills Bruce Willis returns as Lt. John McClain Taking place after the first movie John and Holly are set to see each other during Christmas break But a group of mercenaries plan to hijack an airplane demanding the biggest drug cartel leads to be released John tries to convince air traffic control for help but it stonewalled continuously Yes this is basically the first movie again even though the setting is at an airport But that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun, it’s also incredibly way more violent It’s got all the shootouts as well as the high octane explosions thanks to many pyrotechnics as well as miniature models as well as a fun villain played by William Sadler next to Robert Patrick, and the late John Amos Willis still brings his A-game being vulnerable despite his supposed invincibility even if this does rehash the original and the script runs into plot deficiencies It remains ubiquitous and rather entertaining Pure escapist excitement with the filmmakers attempting to top themselves Willis remains one of the finest male action heroes around A decent follow-up even if it doesn’t match the heights of its predecessor

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Kid R.

Really unfortunate to make a horrible sequel to the original

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Christian K

Measures sillier than the first, it really is carried by Willis even though his character has to admit how silly the plot is. The big step down here is the villain who is offering nothing other than generic terrorist stuff.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

Full Review

Shaun R

Decent action in which John Mclane faces yet more villains who can’t seem to shoot accurately. Entertaining enough.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

Levon H

Beside #3, this my favorite Die Hard film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Stephen C

**** off, Fox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

Full Review

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Renny Harlin

Director

Bruce Willis

John McClane

Bonnie Bedelia

Holly Gennero McClane

William Atherton

Richard Thornburg

Reginald VelJohnson

Sgt. Al Powell

Franco Nero

Gen. Ramon Esperanza

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Die Hard 2: Trailer 1

2:38

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Synopsis

A year after his heroics in L.A, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is mixed up in another terrorist plot, this time at Washington Dulles International Airport, where he is waiting for his wife (Bonnie Bedelia). That same night, South American politico and drug profiteer Ramon Esperanza (Franco Nero) is arriving in U.S. custody. McClane takes action when a treasonous ex-colonel (William Sadler) seizes control of the airport, threatening to crash every inbound flight unless Esperanza is freed.

Director: Renny Harlin
Producer: Charles Gordon, Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Walter Wager, Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Silver Pictures, Gordon Company
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.3M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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