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Die Hard

Die Hard (1988)

tomatometer

94

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 50
Fresh: 47 | Rotten: 3

Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic.

63

Average Rating: 6.1/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 3

Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic.

audience

91

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 485,577

My Rating

Movie Info

It's Christmas time in L.A., and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high-tech safe. In truth, Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track; also in truth, Gruber has no intention

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza

Mar 9, 1999

20th Century Fox

Die Hard Trailer & Photos

More Trailers and Videos (1)

Cast

Critic Reviews for Die Hard

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (3) | DVD (33)

In the first half of Director John McTiernan's movie, Willis wears an undershirt. In the second half he gets rid of it. And that's pretty much it for his performance.

December 5, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | Comments (37)
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Die Hard is as high tech, rock hard and souped up as an action film can be.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A serviceable if rather overextended and overblown adventure thriller.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The scenes move with such relentless energy and smashing special-effects extravagance that Die Hard turns out to be everything action-genre fans, and Bruce Willis's relieved investors, might have hoped for.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

For what it is, this is the top model -- flash, bang, and witty one-liners all included.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's good, dumb fun.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

John McTiernan's thriller-actioner is well executed, boasting a strong performance from Bruce Willis, which made him a big-screen star.

April 20, 2012 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Original Bruce Willis violent actioner.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Kelly Kessler
Common Sense Media

High-tech cartoonish action thriller.

March 3, 2009 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comments (5)
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Great pace, great gun battles, great fun.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment
Film4 Source: Film4

...remains one of the most entertaining and flat-out thrilling examples of the action genre...

June 26, 2007 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | Comment
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

This is a DVD set that will appeal to true Die Hard aficionados.

June 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Great escapist action, but it's still nothing more than an action movie %u2013 cinema's version of a nice, tasty hamburger.

June 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

The pumped-up, high tech surprise hit of 1988; a triumph of slick direction and lowbrow thrills, marred but not spoiled by a sour aftertaste.

December 4, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A seminal action film that created an entire subgenre. Super action, but the key to its success is how it effectively pits Willis' common-man hero against Rickman's haughty arch-villain.

March 4, 2006 Comment
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

A hi-tech thriller with a human heart.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment
Time Out Source: Time Out

Every so often a movie comes along whose concept sparks a flood of imitators. Die Hard is such a movie.

September 30, 2005 Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs | Comment
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs

'A landmark film that breathed life and originality into an area of cinema where only formulas were proven reliable.'

July 18, 2004 Full Review Source: Cinematic Reflections | Comment
Derek Smith
Cinematic Reflections Source: Cinematic Reflections

An explosion-movie classic.

July 16, 2004 Comment
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Die Hard

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There isn't a bigger example of your typical action blockbuster film with everything an average moviegoer could ever want, including laughs, thrills, holiday spirit, romance and action other than the absolutely iconic classic Die Hard. This is an iconic movie that undoubtedly has lead actor Bruce Willis at his most

March 26, 2012
Directors Cat
Directors Cat

Super Reviewer

I can't believe it took me so long to finally see this movie. Truly one of the best action films of all time. Intense action, violence, perfect pacing, a solid script, and good performances...this is a great film!

December 7, 2010
jamers2011
Jameson Worley

Super Reviewer

Die Hard Quotes

View All

    1. Hans Gruber: You asked for miracles, I give you... the FBI.
    – Submitted by Diego T (1 day ago)
    1. Hans Gruber: We do NOT alter the plan!
    2. Karl: And, if HE alters it?
    – Submitted by Jack P (36 days ago)
    1. Takagi: What kind of terrorists are you?
    2. Hans Gruber: Mr.Takagi, who ever said we were terrorists?
    – Submitted by Jack P (36 days ago)
    1. Holly Gennero McClane: After all this, you're just a common thief.
    2. Hans Gruber: I am an exceptional theif, Mrs.McClane!
    – Submitted by Jack P (36 days ago)
    1. Thornburg: [After C4 Explosion] Tell me you got that!
    2. Cameraman: Ya.
    – Submitted by Daniel R (2 months ago)

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Latest News for Die Hard

February 13, 2011:
Noam Murro Directing Die Hard 5
Fox has hired Noam Murro ("Smart People") to direct the fifth "Die Hard," from a script written by...

July 23, 2010:
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