Die Hard Movies: Release Order
The Die Hard franchise follows NYPD officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he repeatedly finds himself battling terrorist threats in increasingly elaborate scenarios across 25 years. Starting with the popular 1988 skyscraper thriller that established the template for the "in the wrong place at the wrong time" action formula, this watch order shows McClane's entire journey.
The movies take you through different eras of action filmmaking - from the grounded, practical effects-driven tension of the late 80s and 90s entries to the more CGI-heavy, large-scale spectacle of the modern sequels.
There is 1 other watch order available - see the link up above.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
Die Hard
When NYPD cop John McClane arrives at his estranged wife's Christmas party in a Los Angeles skyscraper, terrorists take over the building and hold everyone hostage. Armed with wit and determination, McClane must single-handedly take on the criminals to save the hostages.
Die Hard 2
Off-duty cop John McClane finds himself battling terrorists who have taken over Washington Dulles International Airport's air traffic control system on Christmas Eve. With his wife trapped on a circling plane above, McClane must stop the criminals before innocent lives are lost.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
New York detective John McClane teams up with civilian Zeus Carver to stop a genius criminal named Simon who has engaged them in a deadly game threatening innocent lives across the city. The third installment in the action-packed Die Hard series finds McClane facing his most challenging adversary yet.
Live Free or Die Hard
John McClane teams up with a young hacker to stop a group of cyber-terrorists who are attempting to take down America's entire computer infrastructure in this action-packed fourth installment of the Die Hard franchise.
A Good Day to Die Hard
Cop John McClane travels to Moscow to help his estranged son, only to discover that Jack is actually a CIA operative trying to stop a nuclear weapons heist. Father and son must work together to battle the Russian underworld and prevent an international crisis.
Other Film Series
Brandon Lee
Rising action star and son of Bruce Lee, whose promising career was tragically cut short during the filming of The Crow in 1993.
Darkman
Sam Raimi's cult superhero-horror trilogy following a disfigured scientist who becomes a vigilante.
Ocean's
A heist franchise spanning from the Rat Pack era to modern ensemble capers.
Ong Bak
Tony Jaa's martial arts showcase trilogy featuring spectacular Muay Thai action across different time periods and loosely connected stories.
The Punisher
Three completely separate reboot films featuring Frank Castle's vigilante crusade, each with different actors, settings, and interpretations of the character.
The Terminator
A sci-fi franchise about humanity's war against artificial intelligence and time-traveling cyborgs sent to alter the past.