First, let’s get something straight — the definitive answer to the question “Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?” is that there’s no definitive answer to that question. But before you turn away in disgust that you fell for this obvious clickbait, hear me out. As a certified Gen X cultural sherpa, I’m going to tell you every relevant detail behind a silly debate that has now morphed into a seasonal tradition. It turns out the backstory here is actually interesting and entertaining. And if you stick with me to the end, I promise there’s a fun twist to be had involving “Die Hard’s” connection to one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, a story that’s sure to blow a few minds on the Christmas party circuit.
So one thing that always bothered me about the “Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?” discourse is why does it only center on “Die Hard”? Those of us who grew up in the ’80s know that in a decade full of iconic action films, “Die Hard” isn’t the only one set during Christmas. In fact, just over a year before “Die Hard” was released in the summer of 1988, “Lethal Weapon” was released in theaters. Though it’s not quite as beloved as “Die Hard,” it spawned several sequels and was a mega-hit in theaters — it’s probably the film that cemented Mel Gibson’s status as one of the biggest movie stars ever. Despite being released in March, “Lethal Weapon,” about an
