“It’s A Wonderful Life” wasn’t always the Christmas classic we know it as today.

In fact, it was a box office failure in 1946 and came out to mixed reviews.  It wasn’t until about three decades later that it gained steam as a family staple and, according to Wikipedia, “one of the most loved films in American cinema and has become traditional viewing during the Christmas season.”

1988’s Die Hard might be headed the same path.

Argued over whether it belongs on the list of holiday cinematic classics, it will be adapted this year into an illustrated holiday book called A Die Hard Christmas: The Illustrated Holiday Classic.  It will hit stores on October 17th.  And it’s never too early anymore to do your Christmas shopping —- [eric]

[io9:  The Best Christmas Movie of All Time Is Being Turned Into a Must-Have Children’s Book]