Macaulay Culkin, the boy who once defended his home against bumbling burglars, found himself facing a different kind of opposition this weekend. During a 35th-anniversary celebration of *Home Alone*, a simple question about favorite holiday films ignited a surprisingly fierce debate – and a chorus of boos.
The event, held in Long Beach, California, was meant to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Culkin fondly recalled *A Christmas Story* and *Scrooged* as childhood staples, acknowledging *Elf* as a more recent addition to the festive rotation. But when he declared his firm belief that *Die Hard* simply doesn’t qualify as a Christmas movie, the atmosphere shifted.
A wave of disapproval washed over the crowd. Culkin, however, didn’t back down. He playfully challenged his detractors, offering to settle the dispute at the loading dock, but remained resolute in his stance: *Die Hard*, he argued, could be seamlessly transplanted to any holiday without altering its core narrative.
The debate over *Die Hard’s* Christmas credentials is a long-standing one, dividing fans for years. Is it a thrilling action film *set* during Christmas, or is it a genuine part of the holiday canon? The film’s opening scenes depict John McClane rushing to a Christmas Eve party, a gift in hand, and the soundtrack is filled with festive tunes.
Yet, the film’s primary focus is on explosive action and a desperate rescue mission. The Christmas setting, some argue, is merely a convenient backdrop, a plot device to gather the characters in one location. It lacks the heartwarming sentimentality often associated with traditional Christmas movies.
Interestingly, even those involved in the film’s creation have offered conflicting opinions. Writer Steven E. de Souza emphatically declared *Die Hard* a Christmas movie on social media, referencing a rejected Purim-themed draft. Bruce Willis himself once jokingly asserted it was “a goddamn Bruce Willis movie,” not a Christmas one, during a roast.
Peter Billingsley, the star of *A Christmas Story*, recently offered a compelling argument for *Die Hard’s* inclusion in the holiday lineup. He suggested the film’s underlying theme of reconciliation and family forgiveness aligns with the spirit of Christmas, pointing to the hopeful resolution between John and Holly McClane.
Ultimately, the question of whether *Die Hard* is a Christmas movie remains a matter of personal interpretation. But Macaulay Culkin’s bold declaration proved one thing: even a beloved holiday icon isn’t immune to sparking a spirited debate, especially when it comes to defining the true meaning of Christmas cinema.
