On This Day

Die Hard released 

July 15th 1988

11:32 15 July 2024

'Die Hard' opened in theaters across the US on this day in 1988. The first film in the hugely successful action franchise opened to mixed reviews but went on to make $140 million at the box office worldwide from a budget of less than $35 million.

Casting TV star Bruce Willis as wisecracking New York cop John McClane was seen as a gamble by the industry, after the role was turned down by several major stars including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone and Burt Reynolds.

The movie has since been critically re-evaluated and is now considered one of the greatest action films of all time and also one of the best Christmas films. Yippee Ki Yay!