As we do every year around this time, the family settles into one of our most treasured holiday traditions. The decorations are lit, there are presents under the tree, and the smell of cookies fills the air. There are carolers in the neighborhood, snow on the ground, and the sounds of the season fill the air. The warmth of a fire spreads across the living room, and we gather around to celebrate in our own special way.
We watch Die Hard.
The debate over the 1988 Bruce Willis action classic’s role among the ranks of storied holiday films is always a hot topic of discussion this time of year. There are those who see the film as nothing less than a holiday classic, and there are those who are wrong. There’s no middle ground.
Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
What Defines a Holiday Movie
There are people who will always disagree with that statement. “Die Hard is an action movie.” It is. In fact, it’s one of the most beloved action films ever made, with a flawed hero, a sinister nemesis, henchmen galore, and more epic gunfights and explosions than any film without the name Predator in the title. But it’s also a Christmas movie.
Why? Let me tell you.
- It’s a redemption story. Every classic holiday movie, from It’s a Wonderful Life to The Santa Clause, weaves in a redemption story. I think that’s a fundamental rule.
- It takes place during the holidays. That’s also a tenet of this genre. You can’t have a Christmas movie in July. Well, unless you’re watching the Hallmark channel, but we’ll get to that later.
- It has holiday music. Also a mandatory part of any holiday film: festive seasonal music.
- It includes presents. The concept of giving is central to the holiday season, so every credible film of this genre includes some form of giving.
- It snows. This might seem like a blinding flash of the obvious, but all holiday films tend to include snow. If it snows at the end, that’s even better.
A lot of classic holiday films also include an appearance from Santa Claus, but that’s not really what locks in the genre. Santa is a symbol of giving, and the holiday season is really about giving. Die Hard is proof that you can make a great holiday classic without Santa. Note: the dead guy with the Santa hat and “NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN. HO-HO-HO” scrawled across his sweater does not constitute an appearance from Santa.
The Nice List
Clearly, an action movie can also be a holiday film. But what about military movies? Everybody loves a good war movie and when those films have a holiday connection they tend to be even more memorable (and maybe a bit more sentimental).
1. Band of Brothers.
Technically, Band of Brothers is a mini-series, but Episode 7, “The Breaking Point,” is a holiday classic. Like most of the series, this episode has central themes of giving and redemption, includes the music and the snow, and the final scene is absolutely unforgettable.
2. Joyeux Noel.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 during the First World War is one of the most memorable war stories ever told. Listening to a German opera singer serenade the trenches while the sounds of Scottish bagpipers waft across the snow in No Man’s Land makes for a holiday classic.
3. Stalag 17.
An Oscar-winning film that served as the inspiration for the sitcom, Hogan’s Heroes, Stalag 17 is a unique adaptation of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. All the key elements are present, with William Holden playing an exceptionally good Scrooge.
4. First Blood.
Sylvester Stallone’s initial foray into what would become a revered action film series is most definitely a holiday war movie. John Rambo, a Vietnam special forces veteran wracked with post-traumatic stress, is fighting a “last battle” during the holidays. Redemption, giving, snow… it’s all there.
5. A Midnight Clear.
Before he was fighting in Vietnam as Lieutenant Dan, Gary Sinise was caught in the German winter offensive at the Battle of the Bulge. Set on Christmas Eve in the Ardennes, it is an obscure but memorable holiday war film.
6. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.
Sometimes referred to as “the best Christmas movie you’ve never seen,” the film follows Major Jack Celliers, a prisoner of war played by David Bowie. It’s a redemption film with a twist, a movie you have to watch through to the end to understand.
7. Lethal Weapon.
The Mel Gibson action classic chronicles the redemption journey of Martin Riggs, another Vietnam veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress. Not much snow, but a lot of giving, holiday music, and cheer. And gunfights and explosions.
8. Invasion USA.
Everyone knows that Santa Claus was real until he forgot to deliver a Christmas present to Chuck Norris. This ‘80s action classic is Chuck Norris’s gift to Santa, deploying the Air Force veteran to save the holidays when the Coast Guard couldn’t.
9. White Christmas.
From the outset, this 1954 Bing Crosby-Danny Kaye classic earns its stripes as a holiday war movie. Yes, it can be a little campy. Yes, the military scenes are somewhat cringe-worthy. But it checks all the necessary blocks and it’s worth watching just to hear Bing sing that song.
10. It’s a Wonderful Life.
Of all the films on this list, this one probably has the most meaningful military connection. Jimmy Stewart, who played George Bailey in the classic holiday film, was a World War II veteran who flew 20 combat missions in the B-24 over Germany. He also suffered mightily from post-traumatic stress. This plays out in his acting in the movie, something that makes this film a must watch for every veteran this time of year.
Keep in mind that this is only the nice list. There’s a naughty list. It’s a long one filled with awful movies, terrible portrayals of military life, and more stereotypes than you’ll find in a bad ‘80s action flick. We could go down that path, but it’s a dark road without a clear ending. We’ll save that for another time.
