A debate as old as time: Is Die Hard—the over two-hour action-packed thriller—a Christmas movie? Although it may not sport all the usual trappings of a holiday classic, this unconventional tale simply wouldn’t be the same without its festive backdrop.
With the entire movie taking place on Christmas Eve, a soundtrack stocked with jingle bells, and a plethora of festive shoutouts, what more could you want? After all, the Christmas movie has never been limited to a single genre—and why should it be, when Bruce Willis’ one-man extravaganza exists?
If you’ve grown tired of the usual lineup, take on these festive thrill rides instead—complete with hostage rescues, explosive shootouts, and more twists than tinsel.
“So brew a cup of hot cocoa, don your best Santa hat, and “Welcome to the party, pal!”
Violent Night
Echoing the premise of Die Hard, Violent Night kicks off on Christmas Eve with a home invasion by a group of ruthless mercenaries. But fear not—a disillusioned, hard-drinking Santa Claus, played by David Harbour, is here to save the day.
Tapping into his past as a Viking warrior, Santa works to protect the truly good kid who lives there, Trudy, and restore holiday bliss. With a mix of humor and heart, the classic “one man against many” formula is on full display!
Lethal Weapon
While not necessarily about Christmas, Lethal Weapon—much like Die Hard—hinges on the darker feelings that can accompany the season. After the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, has become reckless and suicidal.
When he’s paired with the older cop, Roger Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover, the two must navigate their tensions and learn to rely on one another as the threats multiply around them. Culminating in a Christmas dinner, this untraditional holiday movie is sure to keep you hooked!
Home Alone
If you haven’t seen this classic—where have you been? Home Alone mirrors Die Hard in more ways than you might expect, just with a family-friendly twist.
When young Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind for the holidays, he suddenly has to defend his home from two would-be burglars. Like John McClane, Kevin is wildly underestimated, outwitting villains against a holiday backdrop.
Whether you’re watching it for the first time (somehow!) or revisiting it for the season, you may never look at either movie quite the same way again. Once you notice the parallels, it’s hard to unsee them!
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Critics who question Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’s holiday status tend to approach the debate much like they do with Die Hard: is simply setting the film at Christmas enough to make it festive? We say yes—yes, it is.
A neo-noir dark comedy, the film follows small-time New York thief Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.), who unwittingly becomes entangled in a murder mystery after being mistaken for an actor and paired with private investigator Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer).
The Long Kiss Goodnight
What The Long Kiss Goodnight shares with the other movies on this list is that it offers an exhilarating alternative to the usual sappy, romantic holiday fare. Don’t get us wrong, we love those too, but why not embark on an action-packed thrill ride while you’re snowed in?
The film follows schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine, played by Oscar-winning Geena Davis, who leads an average life until memories of her physical abilities surface. When she hires private detective Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to look into her past, she learns that she’s a government assassin, and that it might be time to get back to work.
With a kickass female protagonist and Christmas elements woven naturally into the story (yes, we see you critics), this high-energy thriller is one that you can enjoy year-round.
Featured image: 20th Century Studios
