We all know someone who says that Die Hard is their favorite Christmas flick, and we all know someone who adamantly argues that it isn't one. Well, we're here on the side of those John McClane lovers, and we thought we'd make a holiday list directly suitable for your type of movie. For anyone who thinks that having a Christmas tree in the background makes it a holiday flick, even if there's a ton of action and violence, this list is definitely for you. Here are 10 Christmas flicks for lovers of Die Hard, ranked from oldest to newest.
Trading Places (1983)
This classic stars Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, and Ralph Bellamy. This flick follows a pretentious investor and a con artist as they find their positions reversed, due to a bet by two millionaires. You can find Aykroyd play a pretty drunk Santa, Jamie Lee Curtis as a seductive prostitute, and Murphy as a pretty comedic genius. This is a Christmas classic in Italy, apparently, so you better get watching to celebrate the holidays.
Rocky IV (1985)
Sure, this is the fourth part of this series, so it's definitely not our favorite. Still, it takes place during the holidays, and who doesn't love to watch two guys beat the crap out of each other over Christmas?
Rocky Balboa challenges Drago, a huge, beast of a man who is backed by the Soviet Union. Of course, this all goes down on Christmas, so we think that definitely puts us in the holiday spirit. Plus, you can also watch the first three again, just in time to watch this one on Christmas Eve.
Brazil (1985)
This is a sci-fi Christmas flick. This movie opens with a loving family all cooped up and watching A Christmas Carol, but their holidays are soon interrupted when a government squad busts down the door and arrests the father. This is a dystopian flick, and it turns out this totalitarian government kidnapped the wrong man. There's Jonathan Pryce - the man on the case, and Robert De Niro - the wrongly accused freedom fighter. You can find some religious Christmas cults, some drunk Santa Clauses, and even a perfectly wrapped Robert De Niro in Christmas paper.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
This is probably the closest thing you'll get to Die Hard on this list. With Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, you can expect more detective awesomeness with a ton of action, all in the spirit of the holidays. These two are investigating a murder that soon turns into a huge heroin operation. However, there's also a pretty heartfelt Christmas dinner, so we think that counts enough to watch this over the holidays with Grandma, right?
Batman Returns (1992)
We know this probably isn't your favorite Batman flick, but it is directed by the mastermind, Tim Burton, and we know this guy loves some creepy holidays. Honestly, this flick is underrated, especially for a holiday-themed action movie.
There's a Christmas tree, mistletoe, and your favorite characters all fighting villains. With Michelle Pfieffer as Catwoman, Danny DeVito as Penguin, and Michael Keaton as Batman, this is definitely a dark Christmas, and also a classic superhero flick.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
This Best Picture Oscar nominee is a drama that follows the police corruption of the LAPD in the 1950s. This movie definitely takes place at Christmas time, and you can even find a newspaper article in the film that reads "Bloody Christmas". Starring Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, and Kevin Spacey, these brilliant men try to figure out who is behind a mass murder on Christmas Eve. You can find some eggnog drinking, Christmas carols, and a whole ton of killing and crime-solving. You're welcome, and Merry Christmas.
Go (1999)
This crime comedy follows the events that unfold after a drug deal gone wrong, told from the viewpoints of three different people. Taking place in Las Vegas (the perfect place for the holidays), these young Californians try to get some drugs, money, and sex all wrapped up in the holiday spirit. Starring Sarah Polley and Katie Holmes (who make an ecstasy deal with a shirtless Santa, played by Timothy Olyphant), this movie also has Jay Mohr and Scott Wolf, who find themselves held hostage over Christmas dinner. Happy holidays!
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
There's a ton of Christmas trees, lights, and some pretty holiday-vibe scenes. However, this one is definitely not for kids, and is probably the most "adult" film on this list. Still, if you're really looking for a raunchy holiday flick, this one is probably for you.
In fact, this movie opens with a Christmas party, and stars the wonderful Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Of course, this movie instantly becomes about drugs, prostitution, and murder. Oh yeah, there's also an orgy, so. However, we kind of love Stanley Kubrick's very, very dark version of Christmas.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Hogwarts sure is beautiful around the holidays, and that Christmas dinner is probably one of the most vibrant and stunning holiday scenes we've seen in a long time. Of course, this is the first movie of the series, so we know you love to watch it anyways. With wizards, magic, some evil forces, and a festive school, we think that there are definitely worse ways to spend the holidays than with Harry Potter at Hogwarts. Plus, this gives you a reason to binge the whole series all over again.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
This is definitely one of our favorite Christmas-adjacent movies. It's also the newest on the list, and we know you've seen it. Tony Stark is buying Christmas presents, there's a beautifully decorated town, Jingle Bells is playing in the background, and there's a ton of action and Iron Man goodness. This is the flick where Tony Stark battles the Mandarin, and there's ton of sci-fi awesomeness and your favorite genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist, all in the midst of beautiful holiday decor and spirit. Iron Man wishes you a Merry Christmas.