A survey of 2,000 people by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has settled the festive debate: 44% of Britons do not consider Die Hard a Christmas film. However, 38% defended its seasonal credentials, and 5% even named it their favourite festive film. The remaining 17% were undecided.
Home Alone emerged as the nation's top Christmas film, chosen by 20% of respondents. It was followed by Love Actually (9%), It's a Wonderful Life (8%), and Elf (7%). The survey also revealed that a heartwarming story is the most important element of a Christmas film for 33% of people, with family friendliness (15%) and humour (13%) also valued. Only 2% sought a tear-jerker.
David Austin, BBFC chief executive, said the findings show that 'heartwarming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nation’s Christmas viewing traditions.' The research also found that 18% of people make a cinema trip part of their Christmas tradition, with 33% going before Christmas Eve and 20% on Boxing Day.
The verdict aligns with comments made by Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin last month, who said, 'Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie,' prompting boos from the audience. He argued it is merely set at Christmas, unlike Home Alone. Die Hard's director John McTiernan previously said he did not intend it as a Christmas film but was pleased it 'turned into a Christmas movie,' while Bruce Willis joked in 2018 that it is 'a goddamn Bruce Willis movie.'
