Maps of Movies

Die Hard (1988)

Where Die Hard says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Nakatomi Plaza is a real tower: Fox Plaza, still unfinished, hired because it was mostly empty and could not be damaged by day.

Scenes and places

McClane lands in Los Angeles (1988)

McClane, an NYPD detective, flies into Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. He wants to patch things up with his estranged wife, who now works at a company holding a party that night.

Set in Los Angeles airport (not named in the film) — McClane arrives in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve.

The film does not name the airport in the arrival scene, so no real airport is claimed here.

The limo ride with Argyle (1988)

Argyle, a chatty first-time limo driver, quizzes McClane about his marriage while the stereo plays. McClane stays gruff, but warms to him by the time they reach the tower.

Set in Streets of Los Angeles (route not named) — A limo carries McClane from the airport toward Century City.

No route or street is named in the film, so no map point is given.

Arriving at Nakatomi Plaza (1988)

McClane steps out at the Nakatomi tower and goes in to find Holly. The party is upstairs, and the building is about to become a trap.

Set in Nakatomi Plaza — The glass tower in Century City where Holly's company is holding its Christmas Eve party. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A real office tower on the Avenue of the Stars, built by Fox and still under construction when the film was shot.

Filmed at Fox Plaza, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (Century City, Los Angeles, United States) — Fox Plaza served as Nakatomi Plaza; the tower was filmed from a distance for the approach shots. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The garage where Argyle waits (1988)

Argyle parks in the garage, expecting a short wait. He stays in the limo while the tower is seized and never realises what is happening upstairs.

Set in Nakatomi Plaza parking garage — The underground garage where Argyle parks the limo. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Parking level of the fictional Nakatomi Plaza.

The office party floor (1988)

McClane reaches the party, but the reunion with Holly is cut short when Gruber's men seize the tower. McClane slips away alone while everyone else is held hostage.

Set in Nakatomi Plaza party floor — The upper floor where the Christmas Eve party is held. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The upper floors of the tower, seen as a party floor.

Filmed at Fox Plaza, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (Century City, Los Angeles, United States) — Fox Plaza's upper floors (a catalogue lists the 33rd and 34th) were used, with a Stage 15 set at the Fox studio lot standing in for another floor. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at 20th Century Fox studio lot, Stage 15 set (Century City, Los Angeles, United States) — Sound-stage set built for part of the interior floor. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

McClane in the unfinished floors (1988)

Alone, McClane hunts the terrorists one at a time and takes a radio from one of them. He finally has a way to call the police.

Set in Unfinished floors of Nakatomi Plaza — A construction floor above the party where McClane hides, fights and finds a radio. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The floors of the real tower that had not yet been fitted out.

Filmed at Fox Plaza, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (Century City, Los Angeles, United States) — Fox Plaza was still under construction and mostly unoccupied when the film was shot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The street below the tower (1988)

Sergeant Powell comes to check on a radio call and finds nothing amiss. McClane has to drop a body on his car to make him believe it.

Set in Street outside Nakatomi Plaza — The street in front of the tower where police cars and later federal agents gather. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The street in front of the tower, in the film's Century City.

The vault and the elevator shaft (1988)

Gruber's team works through the vault's locks. McClane stops a SWAT assault by sending explosives down an elevator shaft.

Set in Nakatomi Plaza vault and elevator shaft — The vault holding the bearer bonds, and the shaft where McClane throws his C-4. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A secure vault inside the fictional Nakatomi tower.

The roof (1988)

On the roof, Gruber meets McClane while checking the explosives, and pretends to be an escaped hostage. McClane gives him a gun.

Set in Nakatomi Plaza roof — The roof where Gruber's men are wiring explosives. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The tower's roof, where the plot's biggest plan is hidden.

Characters

• John McClane — An NYPD detective who flies to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to see his estranged wife.
• Holly McClane — McClane's estranged wife, an executive at the Nakatomi Corporation.
• Hans Gruber — The leader of the team that seizes Nakatomi Plaza, after the bearer bonds in its vault.
• Argyle — The chatty limo driver who waits in the garage.

Questions answered on the map

• Where is Nakatomi Plaza in real life?