By CLTure
November 30, 2023
The classic 1988 action film, Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis and directed by John McTiernan (Predator, The Hunt for Red October, The Thomas Crown Affair) is set to be re-released in theaters nationwide for a limited time to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
Both a box office and critical success when it was released, the film is set around Christmas time with Willis starring as Detective John McClane and Alan Rickman playing the villainous role of Hans Gruber. Based on the 1979 novel, Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, McClane flies to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve bearing gifts to reconcile with his estranged wife and kids, but an international robbery takes place at Nakatomi Corporation, where McClane’s wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) works. The takeover becomes contentious and McClane has to save the day, taking on the terrorists with little to no assistance.
Originally turned down by movie stars of the time Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, the film had low expectations when it was released, but ended up grossing over $140 million against its $25 million budget, also receiving four Academy Award nominations. The film propelled Willis’ career to leading man status with classic lines like, “Yippee-ki-yay, m*therf*cker,” and is considered to be one of the best action films of all time. It spawned a franchise that included Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), plus video games and comics. Die Hard is also mentioned as one of the best Christmas films of all time, although it is often argued that it is not a Christmas movie.
Die Hard will be re-released in select AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas nationwide from December 8-14. Find out where Die Hard is playing in your city.
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