Every year, the same topic comes up: is Die Hard a Christmas movie? While originally seen as a contrarian answer to what somebody's favorite Christmas movie is, Die Hard has endured as a holiday classic. Despite all the blood, violence, and foul language, the aesthetic of the movie does capture that holiday feeling. Its hopeful message at the end also does fit in with other holiday classics like It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, and Miracle on 34th Street, just with more guns.

While Die Hard is an alternative to the classic Christmas movies, it also is not alone. Before its release and especially after, filmmakers tried to tap into that similar vibe of a Christmas movie that is not quite a Christmas movie. At first, if one tries to put these movies on at a family holiday event, somebody might scoff at the idea. Yet within a few minutes, the Christmas vibes set in, and it becomes clear these are Christmas movies just like any other. So if you enjoy Die Hard and are looking for an alternative Christmas viewing option, here are some picks for you.

Updated: December 16, 2023: If you love Christmas action movies and have a spirited soul that cannot sit still on Christmas Eve, then you'll be glad to know that this article has been updated with additional content by Ben Hathaway.

16 Rocky IV (1985)

A major box office hit but also a clear sign the Rocky franchise was walking on thin ice, Rocky IV is fun but very, very silly. Yet, the story of Balboa's fight against Russian titan Ivan Drago has its fans and then some. Set after the events of Rocky III, Rocky Balboa — played once more by Sylvester Stallone — faces his greatest challenge yet as he takes on the virulent Russian boxer Ivan Drago.

Rocky IV Is a Wintry Classic

This sequel, which features a fight in the Soviet Union during the Christmas season, has gone on to become an iconic piece of '80s cinema. If anything, it's the most iconic entry in the Rocky franchise, save for the original. It's an impressive feat, considering Rocky III has a Mr. T-flavored rep all its own. Rocky IV really goes for broke, making Rocky seem almost inhuman in his abilities. This is especially true during the icy mountain-climbing training montage. Rocky IV is available to stream on Max, Max's Amazon Channel, and DIRECTV.

15 Death Race (2008)

Believe it or not, part of the maximum security prison-set Death Race takes place during Christmastime, though one would be forgiven for failing to realize this. The narrative follows Jason Statham's wrongly-convicted Jensen Ames as he's roped into performing in a televised race to the death, with cars equipped with guns and defense systems. The film is a remake of the pulpy 1975 original film, Death Race 2000, with direction provided by the polarizing Paul W. S. Anderson.

Death Race Is a Dystopian Christmas Movie

An underrated racing adventure that makes for a wonderful companion piece to any Fast & Furious movie Jason Statham's in, Death Race isn't high art, and it was never supposed to be. It is, however, wildly entertaining, well-cast (with Ian McShane being a particular highlight) and its emulation of early Roger Corman movies is spot on. If you want some action-packed dystopias in your Christmas movie, Death Race is a terrific pick. Death Race is available to stream on fuboTV.

14 Die Hard 2 (1990)

Like its predecessor, Die Hard 2 is set during Christmas. This entry sees John McClain attempting to avert catastrophe when a group of terrorist types, led by the always great William Sadler, set their sights on Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. around Christmastime. Is there any more fertile a situation in which things could go horribly wrong for John McClane? The film is notable for being directed by Renny Harlin instead of John McTiernan, with Harlin later going on to direct films like Cliffhanger and the upcoming Strangers trilogy.

Die Hard 2 Is Actually a Christmas Movie

With Christmas lights and other signifiers to remind the audience what time of the year it is, Die Hard 2 is very much in the same festive spirit as the first film. But there's something darker about it, especially when you see just how much higher the stakes are this time around. Die Hard 2 may essentially be Die Hard set in an airport, but it's also every bit a Christmas film its predecessor was. Die Hard 2 is available to stream on Hulu, Starz Apple TV Channel, and DIRECTV.

13 Fatman (2020)

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Fatman is an oddball Christmas action movie that features Mel Gibson in a role that is, surprisingly, reminiscent of his roles in the Lethal Weapon franchise. Gibson stars as Santa Claus, technically referred to as "Chris Cringle," who has to deal with a dangerous hit being placed on him. To make matters worse, his altruistic business is on the verge of shuttering altogether.

Santa Claus Packs Heat

The movie is a grounded, violent retelling of the Santa Claus story. Fatman, in many ways, takes the myth of Santa Claus and puts an intriguing twist on it, even if it is more interesting as a thought exercise than a full movie. That being said, it's still incredibly entertaining to see Gibson play this role completely straight alongside Walton Goggins. Fatman is available to stream on Peacock.

12 Violent Night (2022)

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Violent Night is the closest any movie has come to capturing the spirit of Die Hard. Instead of asking if Die Hard is a Christmas movie, Violent Night decides to make a Christmas movie in the style of Die Hard. Instead of John McClain, we have Santa Claus as our protagonist. It's a very cynical Santa Claus, played by an enthusiastic David Harbour. The film sees him taking on a group of malevolent heisters at a wealthy estate, with his only assistance being the voice of an innocent girl through a walkie-talkie. Santa slowly takes out the bad guys while an evil, charismatic villain played by John Leguizamo tries to pursue him.

Santa Delivers the Pain

Violent Night delivers on its title. It is a Christmas movie with a lot of bloody action, and the fun is seeing Santa Claus deliver brutal beatdowns. But also, like Die Hard, the movie still has the classic theme of family sticking together through the holiday, which truly makes it a Christmas movie. Some would even consider it to be a modern holiday classic, given how it effortlessly integrates violence into its jolly setting. Violent Night is the movie Fatman wanted to be, while playing more into the myth of Santa Claus as a whole. Violent Night is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

11 Reindeer Games (2000)

This sex-filled Christmas action movie is certainly a doozy. Ben Affleck stars as Rudy Duncan, an incarcerated man who pretends to be his dead cellmate as a means to escape. After reconnecting with his cellmate's pen pal, (Charlize Theron), things only get more complicated when Duncan gets wrapped up in a casino heist as an unwilling participant. Should he refuse to participate, there will be dire consequences.

Reindeer Games Is a Christmas Cult Classic

Reindeer Games certainly isn't the most popular Christmas action movie, but it does capture the spirit of Die Hard by using the wholesome holiday to highlight how naughty the whole proceedings are. Some of the performances are a little off, but Affleck leads it well, and Gary Sinise is dynamite in his antagonistic role. Reindeer Games is available to stream on DIRECTV.

10 Death Wish 3 (1985)

The late Charles Bronson, at one time, was the biggest and most bankable actor in America. Being an action star, he also happened to serve up a Christmas action film in the form of Death Wish 3. When Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) returns to New York, he is sought out by a not-so-honest police chief (Ed Lauter) to clean up its crime-plagued neighborhoods.

Death Wish 3 Is Festive and Violent

Christmas serves as the backdrop for this no-holds-barred tale of street justice, but it is also a classic Bronson action film all the way. With his trusty .475 Magnum in hand, Bronson doles out his own brand of Christmas spirit with plenty of hot brass. Death Wish 3 is one of the most popular films featuring this weapon. While not as well-known as other Christmas action films as the others on this list, Death Wish 3 brings more than Christmas cheer throughout its 92 minutes. Death Wish 3 is available to stream on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Max Amazon Channel, and Max.

9 Invasion U.S.A. (1985)

Invasion U.S.A. pulls no punches, showing the many ways that somebody can be killed throughout the holiday season. In this cheesy '80s classic, Chuck Norris plays a retired CIA agent, Matt Hunter, as he gets back on the field when a Soviet adversary from his working days rears his murderous head. Thus, we end up with the eponymous invasion of the United States, perfectly timed to coincide with the holiday season.

A Christmastime Invasion

Whether it's having your neck snapped or being shot with a bazooka, Invasion U.S.A. might be the gold standard of the Christmas action genre. Being made by the folks at Cannon Films, a studio notable for their prolific action films, only bolsters its credibility in this category. With Chuck Norris's signature line in the film being, "It's time to die," this is a Christmas action movie on steroids.

Invasion U.S.A. is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video or for free with ads on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Pluto TV.

8 Cobra (1986)

On the surface, Cobra is your garden-variety Sylvester Stallone action film. He plays Marion Cobretti, a tough-as-nails cop who has to protect a witness (Stallone's wife at the time, Brigitte Nielsen) from "The New World." This is a group whose intention is to take over America, and it is up to Stallone and his candy-loving partner Gonzales (Reni Santoni) to stop them.

Cobra Leans on the Action

This movie isn't overflowing with Christmas feelings. If you're expecting the milquetoast vibe of Love Actually, then you're going to be severely disappointed. However, if you want shootouts in supermarkets and other establishments in which there are Christmastime goods, Cobra is a solid Christmas action movie, carrying with it the occasionally-felt melancholic themes of the holiday season. That, and it's admittedly entertaining to see a toothpick seemingly never leave Stallone's mouth. Cobra is available to stream on DIRECTV.

7 Iron Man 3 (2013)

While one may not usually find a Marvel movie on a Christmas movie list, Iron Man 3 might just be the exception. Even though the story features Robert Downey Jr. defying all odds and saving the day, this particular Marvel movie takes place during the jolly season. The narrative follows Tony Stark as he faces a massive terrorist organization fronted by the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). But, the Mandarin may not be all that he appears.

Iron Man 3 Takes Place During Christmastime

Iron Man 3 certainly deserves a spot on this list, mainly because it is written and directed by Shane Black, who is the king of Christmas action movies and has three more films on this list. Iron Man 3 has the classic Christmas decorations but, like Die Hard, also sees a hero fighting off a group of villains that are posing as terrorists to save his loved ones during the holidays. Iron Man 3 is available to stream on Disney+, Starz Apple TV Channel, and Starz Amazon Channel.