There will be no yippee ki-yay for the McClaneiacs.
The Big Picture
- Die Hard leaving Hulu on June 30 means fans will lose easy access to all five action-packed films of the iconic franchise.
- The series, starting with the groundbreaking 1988 film, redefined the action genre and gave us memorable moments and legendary quotes.
- Fans will have to bid farewell to the convenience of streaming these classics, as they won’t be just a click away anymore.
For fans of the Die Hard series, this is the equivalent of being tossed out the Nakatomi Plaza: all five movies of the iconic action franchise will be leaving Hulu next month. This truly dark date marks a significant loss for the streaming platform’s action aficionados, who have long enjoyed the adventures of John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, from the comfort of their homes. The franchise, which began with the groundbreaking 1988 film, has grown into a pop culture phenomenon, with John McClane’s wisecracks and relentless pursuit of justice becoming legendary. From thwarting a terrorist takeover at Nakatomi Plaza to dismantling a cyber-terrorist plot, McClane’s escapades have kept audiences on the edge of their seats for decades.
Each film in the Die Hard series offers a unique slice of adrenaline-fueled action. The original Die Hard set the standard for action movies, introducing us to McClane’s grit and ingenuity as he single-handedly took on a group of terrorists led by the suave but ruthless Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman. This movie not only redefined the action genre but also gave us one of the most quoted lines in movie history: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf****r.” Actually, if we’re being honest, the entire thing is overly quotable. This writer is partial to the coldest line of the film from Gruber: “Mr Takagi will not be joining us for the rest… of his life.”
The sequels continued to up the ante. The underrated Die Hard 2 saw McClane battling terrorists in a snow-covered airport, proving that lightning can indeed strike twice. Die Hard with a Vengeance brought the action to the streets of New York, pairing McClane with Samuel L. Jackson’s Zeus Carver, creating one of the most memorable buddy dynamics in film history. Live Free or Die Hard updated the formula for the digital age, pitting McClane against a cyber-terrorist played by Timothy Olyphant, and, on a slightly less enjoyable note, A Good Day to Die Hard took the action international, with McClane and his son battling villains in Russia.
When is ‘Die Hard’ Leaving Hulu?
With the departure of these films from Hulu, fans will lose easy access to one of the most iconic action franchises ever made. The series has been a staple for action movie marathons, and its absence will be sorely felt. The ability to stream these films on a whim, to revisit John McClane’s incredible feats and timeless quips, is something that has been taken for granted. Come June 30, that convenience will be gone.
For many, Die Hard is more than just a series of movies; it’s a tradition, especially around the holidays, with the first film often celebrated as an unconventional Christmas classic. The departure of the series from Hulu means that fans will need to seek out other means to get their Die Hard fix. The convenience of watching John McClane save the day, again and again, will be a luxury no longer available on Hulu. Fans will have to bid farewell to the ease of streaming these classics, knowing that for the time being, their favorite action hero won’t be just a click away.
So, gather your fellow Die Hard fans, pop some popcorn, and prepare for one last marathon on Hulu. Because come June 30, it won’t be a good day to love Die Hard.
Die Hard
New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there’s no one to save the hostages — but him.
- Release Date
- July 20, 1988
- Director
- John McTiernan
- Cast
- Bruce Willis , Bonnie Bedelia , Reginald VelJohnson , Paul Gleason , William Atherton , Hart Bochner
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Main Genre
- Action
- Writers
- Roderick Thorp , Jeb Stuart , Steven E. de Souza
This article was originally published on collider.com