Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Die Hard

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
857K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
632
88
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Bruce Willis and Hart Bochner in Die Hard (1988)
Bruce Willis is John McClane in the film that launched the billion-dollar 'Die Hard' action franchise.
Play trailer1:28
15 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Thriller

An NYPD officer tries to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.An NYPD officer tries to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.An NYPD officer tries to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

IMDb RATING
8.2/10
857K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
632
88
  • Director
    • John McTiernan
  • Writers
    • Roderick Thorp(based on the novel by)
    • Jeb Stuart(screenplay by)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bruce Willis
    • Alan Rickman
    • Bonnie Bedelia
Top credits
  • Director
    • John McTiernan
  • Writers
    • Roderick Thorp(based on the novel by)
    • Jeb Stuart(screenplay by)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bruce Willis
    • Alan Rickman
    • Bonnie Bedelia
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 218Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #119
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 8 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos15

    Trailer: 30th Anniversary Christmas Edition
    Trailer 1:28
    Trailer: 30th Anniversary Christmas Edition
    Die Hard Trilogy
    Trailer 0:31
    Die Hard Trilogy
    Die Hard
    Trailer 2:25
    Die Hard
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Clip 3:12
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    Clip 1:33
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    Watch Like a Pro: Giancarlo Esposito's Ultimate Villain Watchlist
    Clip 3:51
    Watch Like a Pro: Giancarlo Esposito's Ultimate Villain Watchlist
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Video 3:33
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Giancarlo Esposito's Ultimate Villain Watchlist
    Video 3:54
    Giancarlo Esposito's Ultimate Villain Watchlist
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist
    Video 4:49
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist
    'Die Hard' Trailer Commentary With 'Happytime Murders' Private Detective
    Video 2:06
    'Die Hard' Trailer Commentary With 'Happytime Murders' Private Detective
    'Die Hard' Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:16
    'Die Hard' Anniversary Mashup
    Which Massive Stars Passed on 'Die Hard'?
    Video 2:26
    Which Massive Stars Passed on 'Die Hard'?

    Photos170

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Bruce Willis and Andreas Wisniewski in Die Hard (1988)
    Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia in Die Hard (1988)
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, and Reginald VelJohnson in Die Hard (1988)
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia in Die Hard (1988)
    Alan Rickman, Bruno Doyon, and Wilhelm von Homburg in Die Hard (1988)
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Terry Leonard in Die Hard (1988)
    Die Hard (1988)
    Hans Buhringer in Die Hard (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bruce Willis
    Bruce Willis
    • John McClaneas John McClane
    Alan Rickman
    Alan Rickman
    • Hans Gruberas Hans Gruber
    Bonnie Bedelia
    Bonnie Bedelia
    • Holly Gennaro McClaneas Holly Gennaro McClane
    Reginald VelJohnson
    Reginald VelJohnson
    • Sgt. Al Powellas Sgt. Al Powell
    Paul Gleason
    Paul Gleason
    • Dwayne T. Robinsonas Dwayne T. Robinson
    De'voreaux White
    De'voreaux White
    • Argyleas Argyle
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Thornburgas Thornburg
    Hart Bochner
    Hart Bochner
    • Ellisas Ellis
    James Shigeta
    James Shigeta
    • Takagias Takagi
    Alexander Godunov
    Alexander Godunov
    • Karlas Karl
    Bruno Doyon
    • Francoas Franco
    Andreas Wisniewski
    Andreas Wisniewski
    • Tonyas Tony
    Clarence Gilyard Jr.
    Clarence Gilyard Jr.
    • Theoas Theo
    Joey Plewa
    • Alexanderas Alexander
    Lorenzo Caccialanza
    Lorenzo Caccialanza
    • Marcoas Marco
    Gérard Bonn
    • Kristoffas Kristoff
    • (as Gerard Bonn)
    Dennis Hayden
    Dennis Hayden
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Al Leong
    Al Leong
    • Ulias Uli
    • Director
      • John McTiernan
    • Writers
      • Roderick Thorp(based on the novel by)
      • Jeb Stuart(screenplay by)
      • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Die Hard 2
    7.1
    Die Hard 2
    Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
    8.2
    Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
    Die Hard with a Vengeance
    7.6
    Die Hard with a Vengeance
    Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
    8.4
    Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
    Jurassic Park
    8.2
    Jurassic Park
    The Terminator
    8.1
    The Terminator
    Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    8.6
    Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    Back to the Future
    8.5
    Back to the Future
    The Sixth Sense
    8.2
    The Sixth Sense
    Rocky
    8.1
    Rocky
    Jaws
    8.1
    Jaws
    Live Free or Die Hard
    7.1
    Live Free or Die Hard

    Storyline

    Edit
    NYPD cop John McClane goes on a Christmas vacation to visit his wife Holly in Los Angeles where she works for the Nakatomi Corporation. While they are at the Nakatomi headquarters for a Christmas party, a group of robbers led by Hans Gruber take control of the building and hold everyone hostage, with the exception of John, while they plan to perform a lucrative heist. Unable to escape and with no immediate police response, John is forced to take matters into his own hands. —Sam
    • hostage
    • one against many
    • los angeles california
    • heist
    • christmas
    • 394 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It will blow you through the back wall of the theater!
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The fictional Nakatomi Plaza is the headquarters of 20th Century Fox. The company charged itself rent for the use of the then-unfinished building.
    • Goofs
      There is no ambulance in the truck when the terrorists first arrive, but Theo drives an ambulance out of the truck near the end of the movie (error acknowledged by filmmakers).
    • Quotes

      John McClane: [huddled in an air vent, recalls his wife's invitation] "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..."

    • Crazy credits
      In the widescreen version, the 20th Century Fox logo is stretched.
    • Alternate versions
      The Ultimate edition DVD contains the following deleted/extended scenes:
      • Extended power shutdown sequence.
      • Extended opening flight scene.
      • Brief dialogue in the first Hans/McClane confrontation.
      • Extended scene where Robinson/Powell brief the FBI on the tower situation.
      • Brief dialogue when Hans interrogates Takagi.
      • Brief dialogue after Theo says "You didn't bring me along for my charming personality".
      • Extended/alternate dialogue in McClane/Powell conversation after McClane uses the plastic explosives.
      • Brief scene of FBI agents getting stuck in thorn bushes as they make their way towards the building.
      • At the end, McClane says "You got a warranty for this (Holly's watch, a gift from Nakatomi Corporation)?" to which Holly laughs.
      • Argyle's dialogue as Powell's police cruiser flies by in the background.
      • Brief Ellis dialogue reacting to the terrorist intrusion.
      • City engineer briefly coughs before pulling out the power cord.
      • Brief dialogue in Hans/Karl argument about "neutralizing" McClane.
      • Additional Holly dialogue after seeing Karl's reaction to McClane's escape.
    • Connections
      Edited into Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Singin' in the Rain
      Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

    User reviews1.1K

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Yippee ki-yay for this movie
    This movie is really great, it has a lot of action and it keeps quite well over time. Good performances from Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman.
    helpful•10
    2
    • nicorip22
    • Feb 18, 2021

    FAQ23

    • What will it cost to repair all the damage to the building by the bad guys ? $600 million ?
    • What exactly is the deal with Ellis? Why was he acting so strange?
    • Why does McClane need to take a gun to L.A.?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 20, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Italian
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Umri pokončno
    • Filming locations
      • Fox Plaza - 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Gordon Company
      • Silver Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $83,844,093
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $601,851
      • Jul 17, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $141,603,197
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    The Reason Arnold Schwarzenegger Walked Away From The Expendables Franchise
    The Reason Arnold Schwarzenegger Walked Away From The Expendables Franchise
    May 13Slash Film
    Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked By Rewatchability
    Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked By Rewatchability
    May 9ScreenRant.com

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Bruce Willis and Hart Bochner in Die Hard (1988)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of Die Hard (1988) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.