'

Die Hard 2

Play trailer

2:38

Die Hard 2

R

Released Jul 4, 1990

2h 4m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

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

Dec 1, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Levon H

Beside #3, this my favorite Die Hard film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

Full Review

Stephen C

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

Full Review

tim s

John McClane is back in full form as the wisecracking, reluctant hero cop. This time, the high-rise is replaced by a bustling airport, creating a setting unique among action movies. The film does its best to emulate the formula of its predecessor while still trying to remain fresh in its own right.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

David C

Si está buena tiene una escena chistosa pero está un poco lenta la película

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

Full Review

Ralph R

Die Hard 2 (1990) is a solid action movie that delivers high-energy sequences and a familiar setup, but it lacks the magic that made the first one a classic. The plot follows a similar structure, with John McClane once again caught in a high-stakes situation, but the tension does not feel as sharp this time. The script has its moments, keeping McClane's signature humor and attitude intact, but it leans more on spectacle than smart problem-solving. The airport setting feels expansive, but it does not create the same sense of claustrophobic intensity as Nakatomi Plaza, making the action feel bigger but less impactful. Renny Harlin's directing keeps the pace fast, and the cinematography does a good job of maintaining momentum, but the action sequences feel more chaotic than calculated. Bruce Willis still carries the movie with his charisma, but the villains are less memorable, and the overall conflict does not feel as compelling. The score and sound design are effective in keeping the energy high, but they do not add much beyond standard action beats. Die Hard 2 is an entertaining sequel with plenty of action, but it feels like it is trying to recreate the first film rather than build on it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

William B

Great sequel. I really liked it. Absolutelly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Die Hard

94%

94%

Die Hard

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Die Hard

Point Break

70%

79%

Point Break

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Point Break

Lethal Weapon 3

60%

61%

Lethal Weapon 3

Watchlist

Lethal Weapon

80%

86%

Lethal Weapon

Watchlist

Speed

95%

77%

Speed

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Speed

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Die Hard 2: Trailer 1

2:38

View more videos

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now