Culkin Booed for Calling Die Hard Not a Christmas Movie

Macaulay Culkin recently sparked controversy by declaring that the action film Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. The statement was made during an event celebrating the 35th anniversary of his own holiday classic, Home Alone, held in California. Culkin's assertion was met with boos from the assembled crowd, prompting him to defend his stance by suggesting the film's setting on Christmas Eve does not inherently make it a holiday movie.

The ongoing debate about Die Hard's holiday status has seen various figures weigh in over the years. Bruce Willis, the film's star, himself joked in 2018 that it is "not a Christmas movie! It's a goddamn Bruce Willis movie." The film's writer, Steven E. de Souza, has also commented, noting that a "Purim draft" was rejected by the studio, implying a holiday connection. Director John McTiernan suggested that the audience's joy turned it into a Christmas movie.

Culkin, who is currently on a tour promoting Home Alone screenings, mentioned Die Hard in a social media post prior to the event, humorously questioning why people watch it "since it's not a Christmas movie." Other actors, like A Christmas Story's Peter Billingsley, have argued for Die Hard being a Christmas movie, citing themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, along with holiday music and snow. Despite the differing opinions, the discussion continues to captivate fans.