The old debate of whether Die Hard movies, the legendary actor also starred in a sci-fi movie that deserves to be labeled as a Christmas film just as much as the first two Die Hard stories.

The movie in question is widely regarded as one of Willis' litany of action heroes aren't the only characters that have allowed the actor to enjoy success. One of Willis' sci-fi projects stands out for several reasons, and while the time of year that it's set isn't really one of its biggest selling points, it certainly informs a huge part of the narrative.

12 Monkeys Wouldn't Make Sense If The 1996 Scenes Weren't Set During The Holidays

Bruce Willis' James Cole is trying to save the world at Christmas in 12 Monkeys

Despite being set at Christmastime, Die Hard doesn't particularly feel like a traditional festive adventure. One of the strongest arguments that it does belong in that category is the fact that the story unfolds during the holidays, with many fans suggesting that the movie wouldn't have happened at all if it wasn't set at that particular moment. While this may be true, large parts of the timeline in 1995's 12 Monkeys movie also take place in December - and for an equally salient reason.

The sequences set in 1996 in 12 Monkeys take place in December because this is when the virus that forces humanity underground was first dispersed.

The sequences set in 1996 in 12 Monkeys take place in December because this is when the virus that forces humanity underground was first dispersed. While the movie's time travel rules prevent alterations to past events, Bruce Willis' James Cole is tasked with gathering information on the virus so that a cure could be developed in the future. Although the movie's timeline also highlights other eras of human history, most of 12 Monkeys' story is understandably set in December 1996.

12 Monkeys was adapted into a four-season TV show, beginning in 2015 and concluding in 2018.

Because of the virus' release date, there's no other point in the timeline that would work as the story's main focus. Apocalyptic viruses aside, these narrative circumstances are very similar to those of Die Hard. So, if the iconic action movie meets the holiday movie criteria for these Christmas-based reasons, then 12 Monkeys also needs to be included in the same conversation.

12 Monkeys' John McClane Reference Seemingly Acknowledges The Die Hard Christmas Connection

Die Hard 3 was also released in 1995

12 Monkeys can't seem to resist a sly nod to its leading man's biggest action franchise. During the movie, Cole is pulled back from 1990 and into 2035. For those in 1990, it appears as though Willis' character has vanished from within a locked room. A sarcastic theory from one of the doctors present is that he escaped through the air ducts. For those who have never seen Die Hard, this reference may slip through the cracks, but it appears to be a clear attempt by 12 Monkeys to confirm it knows there are similarities between the two Christmas-esque movies.

"Then are you trying to tell me a fully sedated, fully restrained patient somehow slipped out that vent, replaced the grill behind him, and is wriggling his way through the ventilation system?"

The joke about James Cole replicating John McClane's traversal method couldn't have come at a better time. 12 Monkeys was released in late 1995. Earlier that same year, Die Hard 3 also premiered. Although the second sequel didn't share the same holiday setting as its predecessors, it still seems a little too continental that 12 Monkeys would acknowledge the Die Hard franchise in such a blatant way, and so soon after the release of the third movie.

12 Monkeys' Premiere Date Is Much Closer To The Holidays Than Die Hard's

Die Hard was released during the summer

A huge part of what gives a holiday movie its authentic feel and a certain level of magic is what time of the year it's first released. Much of the world transforms itself throughout December to celebrate the festival, so watching a movie that fits that aesthetic can compound the Christmas cheer. Because of this, Die Hard's release date puts a sizable tick in the column that argues against its Christmas movie status. Arriving at the height of summer in July 1988, it's tough to believe the movie's marketing team wanted this to be seen as a festive narrative.

12 Monkeys' release date was far more suitable for two reasons. With a release date of December 29, 1995, those watching at the time would have been taking in a fictional, unstoppable, world-ending event that would take place one year into the future. Plus, the premiere aligned much better with when most of the movie was actually set. Sure, most of the festivities have ed by the time of December 29, but this Bruce Willis movie did a much better job of matching its setting to its release date than Die Hard did.