20 awesome ’80s movies you should totally see before you die

10. Die Hard  (1988)

This is the movie that launched a franchise consisting of five movies, all featuring Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City police detective.

When Die Hard was released, Willis was also starring in the TV series Moonlighting (1985-1989) opposite Cybil Shepherd. But Die Hard catapulted Willis into superstardom, opening the door for Willis to launch a successful and lucrative career as a big screen action hero.

While the subsequent Die Hard films become increasingly ambitious, the original is about a smart-mouthed, no-nonsense cop with marital problems who travels to Los Angeles in an effort to patch things up with his wife (Bonnie Bedelia). McClane’s wife and co-workers are taken hostage by German terrorists attempting to steal $640 million in bearer bonds. It’s up to lone “cowboy” McClane to save the day.

Because events in the move take place on Christmas Eve, Die Hard has become a holiday classic, earning a spot on multiple best Christmas films’ lists including Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, Empire and The Hollywood Reporter.

Die Hard is the gold standard by which many other movies of the genre are measured.