Movie NEWS - Seven Killer Reasons Why Die Hard Deserves Its Own Holiday

Action movies can seem dime-a-dozen, so when a series like Die Hard comes along to deliver winner after winner (after winner after winner), you know you've found your pot of gold. Given success so big that there's a fifth installment in the works, AMC has declared Sat., Mar. 17 Die Hard Day in honor of one of the greatest action franchises ever. St. Patrick, keep your luck-- we don't need it when Bruce Willis is here to save the day. Here are seven reasons why these flicks deserve their very own holiday:

1. It's Already Several Holidays Rolled Into One
The first two movies take place on Christmas Eve, and with pyrotechnics more dazzling than the grandest fireworks display, the franchise ups the ante on the Fourth of July. Then, hero John McClane takes on a band of terrorists to save his wife-- a gesture so romantic that St. Valentine himself can't compete.

2. John McClane Is the Patron Saint of Action Movies
To be declared a saint, you need to have performed a miracle or two. Well, McClane defends a building, then an airport, then New York City, and then the U.S.A. What's next? The world? Sounds like it's time to start canonization.



3. As Soon As One Movie's Over, You're Ready for the Next
Just finished trick-or-treating? The stores are already rolling out Thanksgiving decor. January 2nd? MLK Day can't come soon enough. And just like that, an installment of Die Hard has you jonesing for the next flick's action.

4. The Series Lends Itself to Theme Parties
You've attended countless Labor Day barbecues and God knows how many ugly-sweater holiday shindigs, right? Next time, throw a Die Hard party instead. One costume idea: Just don a black undershirt, go shoeless, and keep quoting McClane: "Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister."

5. It Has the Best Theme Song
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Be My Valentine? Please. Die Hard goes upscale with Beethoven's 9th.



6. It Generates a Lot of Money
Okay, so the Die Hard franchise's $1.1 billion box office total doesn't touch the $17.6 billion Americans spent on Valentine's Day this year. Bet it's more than we spend on Flag Day, Groundhog Day or Arbor Day!

7. It's Got a Catchphrase
"Merry Christmas!" "Happy New Year!" "Trick or treat!" "Gobble gobble!" Die Hard Day comes with a warm greeting, too. All together, now: "Yippee-ki-yay!"

Don't miss AMC's Die Hard Day when it starts on Sat., Mar. 17 at 11:30am.