Is Die Hard really a Christmas film?

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Criteria in what I think is order of importance
  1. Was it released at Christmas? Die Hard, no.
  2. Is it played on TV year after year at Christmas time? DH, yes (but would it have been if not for 3 & 4?)
  3. Is it set near or over Christmas? DH yes
  4. Is Christmas important to the plot? DH Yes

If the vagaries of broadcasting whim make something a Christmas movie by playing it every year over Christmas, does it cease being a Christmas movie when they shelve it for newer films? How many years scheduling converts a non-Christmas movie into a Christmas movie? This is why I think mere screening time is a poor criteria.
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So you’re saying Cast Away, Jumanji, Behind Enemy Lines and Jarhead are Christmas films?
I have no recollection about christmas having any significant part in those movies unlike Die Hard where Bruce comming to visit his ex for christmas. If the christmas part is too vague in the story then it is not a christmas movie.
 
Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Does the plot have anything to do with Christmas? - No

Is it a Christmas film? - Of course it's a Christmas film

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What makes it a Christmas film, in your opinion? Just when it usually gets broadcast in the UK, or the content?

It is set at Thanksgiving, and is about the mad rush that many Americans make trying to get home to family for Thanksgiving. It never struck me as particularly Christmas related.

Now Home Alone is a Christmas movie. who doesn't like a bit of Christmas trapping...;)
 
What makes it a Christmas film, in your opinion? Just when it usually gets broadcast in the UK, or the content?

It is set at Thanksgiving, and is about the mad rush that many Americans make trying to get home to family for Thanksgiving. It never struck me as particularly Christmas related.

Now Home Alone is a Christmas movie. who doesn't like a bit of Christmas trapping...;)
Isn’t Die Hard set on Christmas Eve?
 
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The Lord of the Rings films are also Christmas films, while we’re at it. Because they came out at Christmas.
I'm not sure I totally agree with that logic. But who am I to say, I think James Bond films are Christmasy films because they're always on TV over Christmas.
 
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Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Does the plot have anything to do with Christmas? - No

Is it a Christmas film? - Of course it's a Christmas film

What makes it a Christmas film, in your opinion? Just when it usually gets broadcast in the UK, or the content?

It is set at Thanksgiving, and is about the mad rush that many Americans make trying to get home to family for Thanksgiving. It never struck me as particularly Christmas related.

Now Home Alone is a Christmas movie. who doesn't like a bit of Christmas trapping...;)


Isn’t Die Hard set on Christmas Eve?

Hi @plastic-ninja
I think some wires got crossed. You replied to my post where I was questioning why Planes Trains and Automobiles was a Christmas movie as if I was talking about Die Hard...Which I agree is a Christmas movie. I am genuinely curious why William reckons PT&A is a Christmas movie. It never occurred to me that it might be see as such, but then I grew up with Thanksgiving (its setting) as a holiday.

This is starting to feel a little like one of those (fictional?) sit-com family Christmas dinners where everyone is talking and all sorts of stuff gets misconstrued!:christmas1::lmao:
 
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maybe you should ask Bruce Willis directly :P , it's a long time since i sae "die hard", but iirc there's a scene where Bruce Willis stuffs the first dead terrorist in an elevator with note "now i've got a machine pistol - ho, ho, ho!" (and a santa hat ?!)...

imho the christmas episode of the documentary series about Chicago's greatest citizen (hint: four touchdowns in one game playing for Polk High in 1966) is still valid today: he comes home complaining about the chaos in the shopping mall and the women and kids everywhere demanding "i want this!!! buy me that!!! -- and then there's the children..."
 
Hi @plastic-ninja
I think some wires got crossed. You replied to my post where I was questioning why Planes Trains and Automobiles was a Christmas movie as if I was talking about Die Hard...Which I agree is a Christmas movie. I am genuinely curious why William reckons PT&A is a Christmas movie. It never occurred to me that it might be see as such, but then I grew up with Thanksgiving (its setting) as a holiday.

This is starting to feel a little like one of those (fictional?) sit-com family Christmas dinners where everyone is talking and all sorts of stuff gets misconstrued!:christmas1::lmao:
My bad then. I was thinking the same.
 
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