Every December, the same argument storms back into living rooms, group chats, and social feeds. Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie or just an action film wearing tinsel? This year, the debate caught fresh fire thanks to one voice that people actually listen to on this topic. Macaulay Culkin, the face of "Home Alone," says the answer is simple. No, it is not a Christmas movie.
That opinion landed hard because Culkin is not just any actor weighing in. He is tied to Christmas pop culture like few others. The “Zootopia 2” icon’s childhood films play on repeat every December. His voice carries weight, and he knows it. When he shut the door on "Die Hard," fans did not shrug.
The 'Godfather of Christmas' Lays Down the Law
Culkin / IG / The 45-year-old star shared his take during an interview on the YouTube show "Mythical Kitchen." The moment host Josh Scherer asked the question, Culkin jumped in.
He said on the YouTube show "Mythical Kitchen" that "Die Hard" does not qualify, and he looked very comfortable saying it.
His logic stays sharp and clear. Christmas shows up in the movie, but it does not run the story. Culkin argues the plot would still work if the holiday changed. Swap Christmas for St. Patrick’s Day or New Year’s Eve, and the action still rolls. That test matters to him. If the holiday can be replaced, it is not essential.
He then flipped the example back to his own film. "Home Alone" falls apart without Christmas. School breaks, travel plans, family stress, and gift season all drive the story. Take Christmas out, and the movie collapses. Culkin sees that difference as the line that matters.
After dropping his verdict, he leaned into his reputation. Culkin joked that he is the godfather of Christmas now!
Why "Die Hard" Refuses to Leave the Debate?
YT / "Die Hard" refuses to stay in one box. The movie came out in 1988 as a straight action thriller. It stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, a cop stuck in the wrong place at the worst time.
Explosions, one-liners, and broken glass drive the movie forward.
Christmas shows up everywhere on screen. The office party kicks off the chaos. Holiday music pops in during key scenes. Snow falls in Los Angeles, at least the movie version of it. That visual language pulls viewers into a December mood, even when bullets start flying.
Fans who love it as a Christmas movie point to tradition. Many people only watch "Die Hard" during the holidays. It lives next to "Elf" and "A Christmas Story" in their seasonal lineup. Over time, that habit shapes meaning. Movies become what people use them for.
That emotional attachment fuels the argument. People defend "Die Hard" because it feels like part of their holiday rhythm. Culkin challenges that idea by separating feeling from structure.
The Creators Do Not Agree With Each Other
The people who made "Die Hard" do not share one opinion. That split only adds fuel to the fire. Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza firmly believes it is a Christmas movie. He points to the soundtrack, the setting, and the holiday themes layered through the film.
De Souza has said the movie includes multiple Christmas songs and never leaves the holiday party setting. He even compared it favorably to "White Christmas." For him, the holiday is baked into the film’s DNA, not pasted on top.
Director John McTiernan takes a softer stance. He admits Christmas was not the original goal. Still, he says the joy people get from watching it during the holidays matters. McTiernan believes the audience decides what a movie becomes over time.
