All Die Hard Movies, Ranked By Tomatometer - Rotten Tomatoes

Die Hard Movies Ranked (Die Hard 2)

(Photo by Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection. DIE HARD 2.)

The latest: Sometimes they yippie-ki-yay again: Die Hard 2, the 1990 follow-up to the modern action standard-setting original with Bruce Willis returning as John McClane, celebrates its 35th anniversary!

Just how influential was 1988’s Die Hard? For a good solid decade afterwards, action movies were pitched and sold as “Die Hard on a something,” like Die Hard on a bus, or in a football stadium, or in a dirigible. The movie seemed to re-invent and immediately perfect the action formula, with detective John McClane as the guy who’s simultaneously in way over his head and always one step ahead of the bad guy, brought to life by Bruce Willis with a steely glint in the eye, and cynical everyman wit and humor. Die Hard also turned “Nakatomi Plaza” (aka 20th Century Fox’s HQ) into a Los Angeles tourist attraction. In reality, the building is situated right next to their studio lot, so you can imagine the cost-savings when it had to get taken over by terrorists. Thanks for thinking economical, Hans!

The sequels have had their ups and downs in sending John to the nation’s capital (Die Hard 2), to Russia (A Good Day to Die Hard), and twice to his old stomping grounds in New York (Die Hard With a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard). And now we’ve taken the entire franchise to rank all Die Hard movies. Yippee-ki-yay, Tomatometers! (Alex Vo)

#1

Die Hard (1988) 94%

#1 Critics Consensus: Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic. Synopsis: New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve. He joins [More] Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson Directed By: John McTiernan #2

Live Free or Die Hard (2007) 82%

#2 Critics Consensus: Live Free or Die Hard may be preposterous, but it's an efficient, action-packed summer popcorn flick with thrilling stunts and a commanding performance by Bruce Willis. Fans of the previous Die Hard films will not be disappointed. Synopsis: As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, veteran cop John McClane carries out another routine assignment: bringing in a [More] Starring: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Cliff Curtis Directed By: Len Wiseman #3

Die Hard 2 (1990) 68%

#3 Critics Consensus: It lacks the fresh thrills of its predecessor, but Die Hard 2 still works as an over-the-top -- and reasonably taut -- big-budget sequel, with plenty of set pieces to paper over the plot deficiencies. Synopsis: A year after his heroics in L.A., detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is mixed up in another terrorist plot, this [More] Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson Directed By: Renny Harlin #4

Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) 60%

#4 Critics Consensus: Die Hard with a Vengeance benefits from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson's barbed interplay, but clatters to a bombastic finish in a vain effort to cover for an overall lack of fresh ideas. Synopsis: Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is now divorced, alcoholic and jobless after getting fired for his reckless behavior and bad [More] Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene Directed By: John McTiernan #5

A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) 15%

#5 Critics Consensus: A Good Day to Die Hard is the weakest entry in a storied franchise, and not even Bruce Willis' smirking demeanor can enliven a cliched, uninspired script. Synopsis: New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) arrives in Moscow to track down his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney). [More] Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Yuliya Snigir Directed By: John Moore