Die Hard 2 (1990), also known as Die Hard 2: Die Harder, is an American action thriller directed by Renny Harlin. It is the second installment in the Die Hard film series, following the original film released in 1988. The movie stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, who once again finds himself battling terrorists during the holiday season, this time at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Set on Christmas Eve two years after the events of the first film, Die Hard 2 follows McClane as he waits for his wife, Holly Gennero (Bonnie Bedelia), to arrive at the airport. However, a group of mercenaries led by Colonel William Stuart (William Sadler) has taken control of the airport's communication systems. They threaten to crash incoming planes unless their demands are met, putting Holly's flight and many others in jeopardy. As chaos ensues, McClane must navigate through the airport's security and confront the terrorists to save the passengers.
The film features intense action sequences, including gunfights, explosions, and a memorable snowmobile chase. Critics noted that while Die Hard 2 lacks some of the freshness and suspense of its predecessor, it still delivers a solid mix of action and thrills. The film grossed approximately $240 million worldwide against a budget of $60–70 million, making it a significant box office success and solidifying its place in the action genre.
Despite receiving mixed reviews regarding its plot and character development, Die Hard 2 was praised for its entertaining set pieces and Bruce Willis's performance as McClane. The film also includes returning characters such as Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) and introduces new ones like airport police chief Carmine Lorenzo (Dennis Franz). Overall, Die Hard 2 is recognized for its high-stakes action and remains a popular sequel within the Die Hard franchise.