Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer are weighing in on the long-standing debate over whether “Die Hard” can be considered a Christmas movie.
For years, fans have been divided on the topic. While the movie is set at Christmastime — complete with holiday music — the film’s heavy action sequences don’t exactly typify the holiday spirit.
In an Instagram post Dec. 6, Al shared a photo he credited to his co-host Dylan of the holiday movie selection available as in-flight entertainment. The “holiday” section included a variety of classic Christmas movies, including “A Christmas Story” and “Elf,” as well as, you guessed it, “Die Hard.”
“This morning, @dylandreyernbc sent proof from her @delta setback entertainment system, that shows the Bruce Willis classic, Die Hard, is, in fact, a Christmas Holiday movie!” Al wrote in the caption. “What say you? Is Die Hard a Christmas movie.”
Predictably, Al’s question sparked discourse in the comment section, which appeared divided on the topic.
“I wouldn’t have thought so when it was first out back in the day, but I do now!” one Instagram user wrote in the comments. “Die Hard brings the holiday vibes!”
In another comment, one user disagreed, writing, “It was originally released in the month of JULY…that’s not a Christmas movie !!”
Another user pointed out, “The movie literally takes place at a Christmas party,” though another countered, “Set during Christmas, but not a ‘Christmas’ movie.”
However, one commenter pointed out that the movie’s star, Bruce Willis, has shared his own opinion on the question, writing, “Bruce Willis said it himself, that it is NOT a Christmas movie, it’s a Bruce Willis movie!”
Willis, who portrayed John McClane in the 1988 classic, revealed his side on the debate during the “Roast of Bruce Willis” in July 2018.
At the time, Willis shared his motivation for participating in a roast, explaining, “I did this roast for one reason and one reason only — to settle something once and for all.”
“Now please, listen very carefully. ‘Die Hard’ is not a Christmas movie!” Willis declared. “It’s a g–damn Bruce Willis movie.”
In the decades since the action film premiered, many have weighed in on whether or not they put the movie in the Christmas category.
Reginald VelJohnson, who portrayed Al Powell in the movie, hasn’t necessarily shared his side of the argument but did tell TODAY in November 2018 that he’s happy it’s considered a holiday film.
“When we did it, we weren’t thinking of it as a Christmas movie,” he explained, before adding that his annual present from the film is a residual check. “I’m totally fine with it being one, though!”
Even Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, seemingly shared her opinion on the debate in December 2023.