A new survey by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has settled one of pop culture's most heated debates: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, according to the British public. The poll of 2,000 people found that 44% do not consider the 1988 action film a festive film, while 38% defended its Christmas credentials. A further 17% were undecided.
Home Alone emerged as the UK's favourite Christmas film, chosen by 20% of respondents. It was followed by Love Actually (9%), It's a Wonderful Life (8%), and Elf (7%). The findings come after Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin recently reiterated his view that Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, drawing boos from a live audience in California.
The survey also revealed what Britons look for in a Christmas film: a heartwarming story (33%), family friendliness (15%), and humour (13%). Only 2% sought a tear-jerker. David Austin, BBFC chief executive, said the research shows that 'heartwarming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nation's Christmas viewing traditions.'
Nearly one in five (18%) respondents said going to the cinema over Christmas is a family tradition, with 33% going before Christmas Eve and 20% on Boxing Day. The debate over Die Hard's festive status has long divided fans and even its creators, with director John McTiernan saying he didn't intend it as a Christmas film but was pleased it 'turned into a Christmas movie,' while Bruce Willis once joked, 'Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, it's a goddamn Bruce Willis movie.'
