Things Got Heated When Macaulay Culkin Weighed In On 'Die Hard' Holiday Debate

Macaulay Culkin sparked unexpected chaos over the weekend after wading into one of pop culture's most heated holiday debates: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie? The 45-year-old actor, who was appearing at "A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin," a live event celebrating the 35th anniversary of "Home Alone" held at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, stunned fans when he definitively stated that the Bruce Willis classic "isn't a Christmas movie." The crowd didn't take the comment lightly. In fact, Macaulay Culkin was booed after making the proclamation, prompting the star to double down as fans reacted with disbelief.

According to PEOPLE, Macaulay Culkin reportedly told fans that despite "Die Hard" being set on Christmas Eve, it still doesn't qualify as a holiday movie. After hearing the crowd's reaction, he responded that some audience members seemed ready to "fight," but maintained that the action film is simply "a movie that's set at Christmas."

He went on to suggest that the movie could be set on an entirely different holiday, even St. Patrick's Day, without changing its core storyline, while noting that "Home Alone" would never work outside the Christmas season. His comments immediately reignited a debate that has divided fans for decades.

The viral moment unfolded after Macaulay Culkin was asked about the holiday movies he considers staples. He shared that "A Christmas Story" was a major favorite in his house growing up. He also named the Bill Murray classic "Scrooged" as a "lost" gem that his household watched frequently.

Macaulay Culkin added that newer films like "Elf" are strong additions to the Christmas canon, but noted they don't hold the same nostalgia factor for him personally since he didn't grow up with them. And then came the remark that triggered the room. "'Die Hard' isn't a Christmas movie."

Whether the 1988 action blockbuster qualifies as a Christmas movie has long been a contentious discussion among fans. The film opens with John McClane arriving at LAX with a Christmas gift, before heading to a holiday office party hosted by his estranged wife, whose name, fittingly, is Holly. It also features heavily Christmas-themed music, including "Winter Wonderland," "Let It Snow," "Christmas in Hollis," and "Ode to Joy."

Despite the festive backdrop, viewers remain split. The film's own leading man, Bruce Willis, addressed the debate himself in 2018 during Comedy Central's Roast of Bruce Willis, stating, "'Die Hard' is not a Christmas movie! It's a goddamn Bruce Willis movie."

Even with that clarification, fans still argue both sides every holiday season, and Macaulay Culkin's comments have now added fresh fuel to the fire.

Macaulay Culkin's viral moment unfolded during an event honoring the 35th anniversary of "Home Alone," the beloved holiday classic that launched him into global stardom. Held at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, "A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin" brought fans together to relive the legacy of the film that became a defining staple of the Christmas season.

The anniversary celebration highlighted the movie's lasting cultural impact, from its unforgettable traps and iconic one-liners to Culkin's unforgettable portrayal of Kevin McCallister. Decades later, the film continues to dominate holiday watchlists, inspire endless memes, and secure its place as one of the most rewatched Christmas movies of all time.

While Macaulay Culkin's stance prompted boos and laughter from the audience, the "Home Alone" star's commentary proves the "Die Hard" Christmas discourse is far from settled.

As the holiday season approaches, the argument will no doubt resurface, especially now that Culkin has officially chosen a side.