New York cop John McClane is the personal target of the mysterious Simon, a terrorist determined to blow up the entire city if he doesn't get what he wants. Accompanied by an unwilling civilian, McClane careens wildly from one end of town to the other as he struggles to keep up with Simon's deadly game.

New York City detective John McClane is in Los Angeles to spend the holidays with his estranged wife Holly. While McClane waits for Holly's office party to end, terrorists take control of the building. As their sinister leader, Hans Gruber, and his savage henchman round up hostages, McClane gets ready to blast a few rounds of his own and launch a one-man war.