An annual household debate: What makes something a Christmas movie? If airing on Hallmark post-Thanksgiving or starring a singing/dancing Bing Crosby, the genre designation is obvious. But if it merely takes place during the season, does it count? Will it have the same joyous spirit or feel-goodness of “real” Christmas movies?

We decided to tackle the on-the-bubble movies and bring the debate to you.

Die+Hard.jpg — Christmas clichés:

Christmas-Named Lead
Cute, Precocious Child
Evil Corporation
Surprise! Xmas Lights
Rekindled Romance
Ends w/ Kiss or Ring

Our take

A Christmas Movie!

We know. We’re as shocked as you are. Having not been exposed to this movie in our youths, we rented “Die Hard” primarily to review for VMM. And we begrudgingly went into our viewing with the notion that:

There is no way this is a Christmas movie.
People only call this a “Christmas movie” because of toxic masculinity.
The only redeeming quality would be the presence of Alan Rickman.

Boy, were we wrong. “Die Hard” is definitively a Christmas movie that’s infused with the joy of the season.

New York City cop, John McClane (Bruce Willis, super beefy and utterly charming) is visiting his high-powered, estranged Christmas-Named wife, Holly, at her new LA office. It’s her company Christmas party, yet John can barely freshen up from the flight before German terrorists storm in to steal $600+M from Holly’s boss.

As Jim from “12 Dates of Christmas” repeatedly says, “Not the way to spend Christmas Eve.”

Thankfully, self-proclaimed “cowboy” John won’t go down without a holiday fight. Quippy dialogue over a walkie-talkie with terrorist leader, Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman, his first feature film!) and the dad from “Family Matters” (Reginald VelJohnson, a frequent Xmas movie attendee) keeps the energy high. We also kept rooting for the limo driver, Argyle, to save the day. We won’t spoil…but go, Argyle!

The genre isn’t usually where you find guns, blood, or unnecessary female nudity. But the foundation of a Christmas movie is woven throughout consistently. If there’s a lull, characters hum, whistle, or blatantly sing Christmas carols. Plus, there are frequent references to the date itself or the spirit of the season. When the terrorists are worried about the mystery cowboy on the upper floors, Hans calms them with a “It’s Christmas, Theo. It’s the time of good cheer.”

We took some liberties with the cliché designations. C4 isn’t usually how a Surprise! Christmas Lights goes down. But every good genre requires a fresh take. Who knew that fresh take happened in 1988?