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Die Hard

Play trailer 2:33 Poster for Die Hard R 1988 2h 12m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 90 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.
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Die Hard

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager The Daily Beast 12/05/2022
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. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 11/29/2018
5/5
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. Go to Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe 04/27/2018
Die Hard is film's equivalent of a terrorist attack on your senses, but Willis' intensity and presence push it into guilty pleasure territory. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 17
5/5
'...a perfect summer blockbuster...John McTiernan's classic thriller Die Hard is still one of the great films about American spirit and exceptionalism...it's not just for for Christmas...' Go to Full Review David Elliott Copley News Service Dec 13
It's stupid yet engrossingly directed for jolts by John McTiernan. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast 12/07/2024
One of the best Christmas movies ever made. Yes Christmas movies... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rex Recker Dec 4 What a joy ride of a movie. Willis and Rickman are priceless. See more Zach D. 12/26/2024 Amazing theater, amazing Christmas watch. See more Matt Y 12/14/2024 It’s a Christmas movie. And Clay, Bill Clay. See more Matthew P 11/19/2024 Yippie kai aye m efers. See more MatthewKaneMusic.com 11/10/2024 Best Christmas movie ever! so glad I got to see it in the theaters See more Mike B 12/20/2023 The greatest Christmas Movie/Not Christmas Movie of all time. See more Read all reviews
Die Hard

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Cast & Crew

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John McTiernan

Director

Bruce Willis

John McClane

Alan Rickman

Hans Gruber

Bonnie Bedelia

Holly Gennero McClane

Reginald VelJohnson

Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov

Karl

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Die Hard

Asking Strangers What's The Best Movie to Watch During the Holidays Asking Strangers What's The Best Movie to Watch During the Holidays 6:07 Die Hard: Trailer 1 Die Hard: Trailer 1 2:33 Die Hard 30th Anniversary (1988) Presented by TCM: Fathom Events Trailer Die Hard 30th Anniversary (1988) Presented by TCM: Fathom Events Trailer 0:30 View more videos
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Die Hard

Die Hard (1988) Die Hard (1988) Die Hard (1988) Die Hard (1988) Die Hard (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

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 12m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
70mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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