On July 15, 1988, “Die Hard” premiered in theaters, introducing audiences to Bruce Willis as NYPD officer John McClane. Directed by John McTiernan, the film follows McClane’s daring efforts to thwart a group of terrorists who have taken hostages in a Los Angeles skyscraper. “Die Hard” became a critical and commercial success, establishing Willis as a major action star and launching a highly influential franchise that continues to impact the action genre today.