The Die Hard movies are arguably the gold standard for action films. Even if they aren't someone's favorite, it's hard to deny they elevated the genre. To this day, fans adore Bruce Willis' John McClane and how many terrorists he fought in this franchise, creating some of the entertainment industry's most rollicking rides.

It molded the iconic Gruber brothers, who are some of cinema's most fearsome criminals. Another big reason why it's so beloved is how it nailed the concept of hostages being taken, whether in skyscrapers or airports. One 2025 British thriller has that same energy, and it features one of Hollywood's biggest names: Daisy Ridley in Martin Campbell's Cleaner.