Die Hard earned widespread acclaim when it was released in the '80s, and it has since become one of the most iconic entries in the action genre. Not only does Die Hard boast blood-pumping action sequences and incredible performances, but it also features one of the coolest heroes of all time. Bruce Willis' John McClane subverted the action movie hero archetype of the decade because he was ordinary and flawed, surviving the horrors Hans Gruber brought to Nakatomi Plaza with pure luck, determination, and grit.