One of the biggest cinematic disputes is over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not; well, be prepared to add another film to that argument, as Netflix released a similar one in December 2024. John McTiernan’s 1988 action movie follows Bruce Willis’ John McClane, a detective who gets trapped inside a skyscraper on Christmas Eve when terrorists take over. Since its release, many have insisted that Die Hard is a Christmas film based on its setting and timeline. Meanwhile, others have rebutted that sentiment.
Die Hard
‘s success in the late 1980s led to a franchise revolving around Bruce Willis’ John McClane. In addition to the first movie, the series includes
Die Hard 2
(1990),
Die Hard with a Vengeance
(1995),
Live Free or Die Hard
(2007), and
A Good Day to Die Hard
(2013).
While many prefer traditional Christmas films (e.g. It’s a Wonderful Life) or cheesy rom-coms (e.g. Hot Frosty), a select group of people enjoy action movies during the holidays. The most popular film that falls under that category is Die Hard. However, perhaps the new Netflix action thriller Carry-On can be added to that list since it shares many things in common with Die Hard.
Netflix’s Carry-On Is Now Streaming On Netflix – What The Taron Egerton Movie Is About
The 2024 Action Thriller Stars Egerton As A TSA Officer
Netflix released Carry-On, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by T.J. Fixman, on December 13, 2024, and it has the makings to be the next Die Hard. The 2024 action thriller follows Taron Egerton’s Ethan Kopek, a TSA agent working at an airport on Christmas Eve. In Carry-On, Ethan receives a mysterious earpiece. He puts it in, and a mysterious man (played by Jason Bateman in the Carry-On cast) starts giving him alarming directions. However, if Ethan doesn’t follow the man’s orders, he will kill Ethan’s girlfriend, Nora Parisi, who also works at the airport.
|
Carry-On Cast |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Taron Egerton |
Ethan Kopek |
|
Jason Bateman |
The Mysterious Traveler |
|
Logan Marshall-Green |
Agent Alcott |
|
Sofia Carson |
Nora Parisi |
|
Danielle Deadwyler |
Elena Cole |
|
Theo Rossi |
The Mysterious Watcher |
|
Dean Norris |
Phil Sarkowski |
|
Sinqua Walls |
Jason Noble |
|
Josh Brener |
Herschel |
|
Curtiss Cook |
Lionel Williams |
Bateman’s character instructs Ethan to let a (assumingly dangerous) package go through security without alerting anyone in the 2024 Netflix film. However, Ethan’s not going to let the mysterious man blackmail him so easily. Over the course of Carry-On, Egerton’s character attempts to save his girlfriend while also preventing the dangerous package from getting on a flight.
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Why Carry-On Is A Great Watch For Fans Of Die Hard
Both Are Action Movies Taking Place Around The Holidays
Based on its premise, Carry-On can be easily compared to Die Hard. The two movies aren’t perfectly similar, but their plots and settings make them comparable as they both revolve around an action hero trying to stop criminals on Christmas Eve. Bruce Willis’ John McClane faces off against German terrorists, and Taron Egerton’s Ethan Kopek must contend with a mysterious man with a dangerous package at the airport. As a result, it just makes sense why Carry-On is perfect for Die Hard fans this holiday season. As for what Egerton thinks of the Die Hard parallels, he told The Hollywood Reporter:
“This film made me feel very Christmassy — that’s what I would love for it to do. Die Hard is a Christmas movie. This is a Christmas movie. I hope audiences love it.”
Die Hard
During a holiday party, NYPD detective John McClane’s wife’s workplace is hijacked by German terrorists led by evil icon Hans Gruber. McClane (Bruce Willis), evades capture and fights to save hostages, including his wife, and foil Gruber’s elaborate heist initially without weapons, shoes, or a shirt.
- Release Date
- July 15, 1988
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Writers
- Roderick Thorp , Jeb Stuart , Steven E. de Souza
Source: The Hollywood Reporter