Bruce Willis is widely known for his iconic role as John McClane, the wise-cracking detective in the Die Hard franchise. After achieving recognition for his performance as David Addison in Moonlighting, Willis solidified his status as a Hollywood star with his portrayal of McClane in the blockbuster 1988 action film Die Hard.
The film’s immense popularity paved the way for four highly anticipated follow-up films, earning a combined worldwide gross of $1.4 billion. Fans of the franchise were drawn to McClane’s no-nonsense attitude and fierce determination to protect innocent civilians, making him an enduring American action hero. However, with the recent news of Willis stepping away from acting, the possibility of seeing McClane in future movies is uncertain.
Die Hard franchise has a total of 5 movies, with three being genuinely excellent (Die Hard, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard) and two solid action flicks (Die Hard 2 and A Good Day to Die Hard). To ensure the best viewing experience, it’s important to watch the movies in the order they were released, which coincidentally is also the chronological order of the Die Hard franchise. If you are a fan of this movie and looking for how to watch Die Hard movies in order, keep reading, you will find your answer below.
Die Hard Movies in Chronological Watch Order and By Release Date:
The chronological watch order of Die Hard movies is listed below:
- Die Hard (1988)
- Die Hard 2 (1990)
- Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
- Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
- A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
Let’s have descriptions of these movies below:
Die Hard
Die Hard, the first installment in the Die Hard movies series introduced audiences to the sarcastic and rebellious NYPD Detective John McClane, played by Bruce Willis. The movie follows McClane as he becomes embroiled in a terrorist plot led by German radical Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, at the Nakatomi Plaza on Christmas Eve. Gruber holds the skyscraper hostage in order to steal $640 million in negotiable bonds, and McClane becomes the unlikely hero in the midst of the chaos.
This movie revolutionized the action genre by presenting a relatable, everyday man as the protagonist, as well as incorporating comedic elements and witty one-liners. Die Hard was a massive success, grossing over $140 million on a budget of roughly $30 million and spawning a lucrative franchise of four sequels, the first of which was Die Hard 2 in 1990. The movie is widely regarded as one of the best action films of all time and cemented Willis’ status as a leading man.
- Director: John McTiernan
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia
- Release Date: July 15, 1988
- Running Time: 132 minutes
Die Hard 2
In Die Hard 2, John McClane, portrayed by Bruce Willis, is waiting for his wife Holly’s plane to land at Dulles International Airport when he discovers that rogue military operatives have seized control of the airport’s air traffic control system. They plan to rescue a drug lord from incoming justice by holding the airport and its occupants hostage. With the planes in danger of crashing, McClane enlists the help of his friend Sergeant Al Powell to stop the attack and rescue his wife. The main villain is disgraced former Colonel William Stuart, who cut off power to the airport and hacked into the electrical equipment controlling the planes.
The movie is based on the book 58 Minutes, with its villains being based on those involved in the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan Administration. Despite being a massive hit at the box office, grossing $240 million worldwide, Willis expressed dissatisfaction with the film, citing a convoluted story and lack of claustrophobia compared to the original.
- Director: Renny Harlin
- Starring: Bruce Willis, William Sadler, Bonnie Bedelia
- Release Date: July 4, 1990
- Running Time: 124 minutes
Die Hard with a Vengeance
In Die Hard with a Vengeance, John McClane teams up with Harlem shopkeeper Zeus Carver to stop German terrorist Simon from destroying New York City landmarks and exacting revenge. McClane, battling alcoholism and separated from his wife Holly, has been suspended from the police force, but is called back to action when Simon specifically requests him. The villain forces McClane to play a twisted version of Simon Says, presenting dangerous challenges and riddles. With Zeus reluctantly aiding him, McClane fights against Simon’s plan to rob the Federal Reserve Building. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning over $366 million and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1995. The action stunts and performances by Willis, Irons, and Jackson were praised, with Die Hard with a Vengeance being considered by many as the best sequel of the series. The film has amassed a large cult following since its release and received a glowing review from critic Roger Ebert.
- Director: John McTiernan
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson
- Release Date: May 19, 1995
- Running Time: 131 minutes
Live Free or Die Hard
In 2013’s A Good Day to Die Hard, Bruce Willis portrays John McClane for the final time. This time, McClane travels to Moscow to rescue his estranged son Jack, who has been arrested for murder. Jack is actually an undercover CIA agent, and the two join forces to protect a Russian government whistleblower from underworld forces. Sebastian Koch portrays the film’s main antagonist Yuri Komarov, whom Jack was supposed to protect. Willis expressed his fondness for the franchise and his desire to improve his work in each installment. Despite mainly negative reviews, the final film in the franchise still demonstrated the box office draw of Willis and the reluctant hero, earning over $300 million. McClane remains one of the greatest movie characters and heroes of all time.
- Director: Len Wiseman
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant
- Release Date: June 27, 2007
- Running Time: 128 minutes
A Good Day to Die Hard
In 2013’s A Good Day to Die Hard, Bruce Willis portrays John McClane for the final time. This time, McClane travels to Moscow to rescue his estranged son Jack, who has been arrested for murder. Jack is actually an undercover CIA agent, and the two join forces to protect a Russian government whistleblower from underworld forces. Sebastian Koch portrays the film’s main antagonist Yuri Komarov, whom Jack was supposed to protect. Willis expressed his fondness for the franchise and his desire to improve his work in each installment. Despite mainly negative reviews, the final film in the franchise still demonstrated the box office draw of Willis and the reluctant hero, earning over $300 million. McClane remains one of the greatest movie characters and heroes of all time.
- Director: John Moore
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch
- Release Date: February 14, 2013
- Running Time: 98 minutes
Explore More Streaming Guides
Below are some of the streaming guides that you can read on our website to enjoy unrestricted entertainment:
- Watch American Netflix in UK
- Watch American Amazon Prime in UK
- Watch BBC iPlayer from Anywhere
- Watch ITV from Anywhere
- Watch Big Bash League 13
- Men Up 2023
FAQs
Do you need to watch Die Hard movies in order?
Although each of these movies is standalone on its own, it is recommended to follow the watch order stated above.
How many Die Hard movies are there in total?
There are a total of 5 movies in the Die Hard movies series, starting from Die Hard in 1988 and ending on A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013.
Are Die-Hard movies available on Netflix?
No! The Die Hard movies are not available to watch on Netflix.
Conclusion
The Die Hard franchise has captivated audiences for over three decades with its thrilling action, charismatic hero, and memorable villains. While opinions on the best and worst installments may differ, it’s safe to say that each movie offers its unique brand of entertainment. We hope the article above solved your query about how to watch Die Hard movies in order. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride as John McClane battles terrorists, saves lives, and delivers his iconic catchphrase throughout the streets of America. Yippee-ki-yay!
