Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? How the Film's Cinematographer Was Convinced It's a Christmas Classic (Exclusive)

'A Christmas Carol' star Peter Billingsley tells PEOPLE how he proved to filmmaker Jan de Bont that 'Die Hard' is more than just an action movie

As an experienced star of the Christmas film business, Peter Billingsley has his own opinion when it comes to whether Die Hard is a Christmas film.

In an episode of A cinematic Christmas journey Podcast, the 52-year-old actor – who became famous in a Christmas Story and appeared in other holiday hits such as Eleven And Four Christmases — and co-host Steve Byrne discussed all things Die Hard with the help of the film's cinematographer, Jan de Bont.

“You know Jan de Bont’s work – he directed Twisters And speed”, Billingsley tells PEOPLE. “I have seen some quotes from him where he said he does not believe that Die Hard was a Christmas movie. He said, “I just don't see it.” So I said, “Would you mind if I tried to convince you why this is a Christmas movie? I know you made it. I know you've lived with it for a very long time, since 1988.” He said, “Okay.”

Related: The 50 best Christmas movies to stream

Although Die Hard The film was released in the summer of 1988. The plot of the film revolves around a New York police detective, played by Bruce Willis, who becomes involved in the terrorist occupation of a skyscraper in Los Angeles. It is set on Christmas Eve.

“I think what was sold [de Bont] I said, “The relationship between John McClane and his estranged wife is fractured, but in the end they learn to forgive each other. There is hope, there is joy, and they will have a great Christmas morning with their children,” says Billingsley.

“Not to mention that there are Christmas songs and snow falling. In my opinion, it's a Christmas movie,” he adds.

Die Hard Director John McTiernan agrees with fans and critics who categorize Die Hard as a Christmas film. “We didn't intend for it to be a Christmas film, but the joy that came out of it made it a Christmas film,” he told the American Film Institute in 2020.

Related: The cutest photos of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore as first-time grandparents

But during Comedy Central's 2018 Roast by Bruce Willisthe star finally gave his comment on the Die Hard Debate 30 years after the film's release. “I did this roast for one reason only, to settle something once and for all,” Willis said. “Now please listen very carefully: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie! It's a fucking Bruce Willis movie.”

Despite Willis' opinion, Billingsley convinced de Bont otherwise.

“I met my criteria,” Billingsley tells PEOPLE. “And he said, 'I've never thought about it that way.' He said, 'Now you've convinced me it's a Christmas movie.' And I said, 'Yes!' So I was able to change a filmmaker's mind, which was cool.”

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