It’s a debate that’s torn families apart for years – with selection boxes thrown in rage, and stony silences around the dinner table.
But now, the public have spoken and settled the matter once and for all: Die Hard is not a Christmas film.
That’s according to 44% of those who responded to a new poll by the British Board of Film Classification, anyway.
They narrowly outnumbered the 38% who argued that the Bruce Willis blockbuster is festive – with another 5% declaring it’s their favourite Christmas movie of them all.
A further 17%, who presumably have been embroiled in this debate before and want a quiet life, said they were unsure.
Willis himself waded into the row back in 2018, when he declared during a comedy roast: « Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s a goddamn Bruce Willis movie! »
He has also found an ally in Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin, who was booed by an audience after sharing his opinion last month.
« It’s just a movie set at Christmas, » he said. « If you set it at St Patrick’s Day, the exact same movie. But you set Home Alone at St Patrick’s Day… »
Culkin kind of has a point there.
What’s the Christmas number one?
Home Alone – a true festive fave. Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock
Thankfully, other questions in the BBFC’s poll weren’t as divisive – with respondents asked to crown their favourite Christmas film of all time.
Incidentally, Home Alone came out on top with 20% of the vote.
That’s streets ahead of Love Actually, which was in second place on 9%. (If Alan Rickman had been nicer to Emma Thompson, it would have easily won.)
It’s A Wonderful Life was third and chosen by 8%, with Elf fourth on 7%.
Read more offbeat news:
Runaway reindeer sparks emergency rescue operation
Oxford Dictionary publisher reveals Word of the Year
The research also revealed that 43% believe it’s acceptable to start watching Christmas movies from the beginning of December – with 13% turning on their favourite festive films from the start of November.
Meanwhile, 8% admitted enjoying Christmas movies all year round… presumably when they’re home alone.
